Visiting Flat Creek again

 Visiting Flat Creek in Montreat NC...I was attracted to these medium size little fish.

Three fish on a rock. I first noticed this kind of fish, much bigger than the many minnows, by it's actions of stirring up mud which showed where they were through the reflections on the water. 

Friends say they are probably Northern Hogsuckers.

Wikipedia says this:

The northern hogsucker (Hypentelium nigricans) is a freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Catostomidae, the suckers. It is native to the United States and Canada where it is found in streams and rivers. It prefers clear, fast-flowing water, where it can forage on the riverbed for crustaceans, mollusks, aquatic insects, algae and detritus. It turns over small pebbles and scrapes materials off rocks and sucks up the particles, and other species of fish sometimes station themselves downstream from its activities. Breeding takes place on gravel bottoms in shallow riffles in late spring. This fish is susceptible to such man-made disturbances as channelization, sedimentation, pollution, and dam construction. However, it has a wide range and is a common species so the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being of "least concern".

Are they edible? Nothing said so.

There used to be a foot bridge across the creek to a short trail on the other side, as well as a lengthy trail up to the town of Montreat, and another trail which went up the mountain to a lookout. This parking area is no longer an access to any of them, thanks to Hurricane Helene which flooded the whole area.

This is part of the bed of the bridge which has been cobbled together, but as you can see on the right half, it only has the support struts, and no planks upon which to walk. Further downstream is a repaired road crossing which provides access to the public utilities on the far side, and probably the trails if they are open.

The gravel road on the opposite side just goes to a little shed for the utility people around the curve. The huge bolder in the creek used to be further upstream and I often would sit in that area.

Here's a photo of that tree and rock taken 3 weeks before the storm Sept 29, 2024. 

April 1, 2026 with a bit of the debris still at the base of the trees.

Fun just looking at reflections, then I noticed all the activity under the water!

Standing on this bank, you can see how I was higher over the water on this side of the creek.

But I got my photos and returned to my own life.

First I bought a $3 cup of lemonade from these two boys (seen here selling some to a couple of hikers as well) Wow, I asked what the money was going for (thinking how Montreat is a community of retired Presbyterian ministers, as well as a Christian college.) The lad said something about 2 other percentages, and he would put 10% in his savings. 

I drove back through the Montreat gateway to go enjoy a lunch of fried fish and chips!

Sorry, couldn't wait to eat a bit before the photo! It's called Mountain to Sea on the menu below.

The view from the Trailhead restaurant. I timed it wrong and missed the free lunch right across the street at the Methodist Church which is offered for contributions each Wednesday at 11:30. I didn't eat until after 12:30. But I did have seconds as my supper.

The further you distance yourself from your expectations, the more exhilarating your life will become. ------------ This was written several days before my recent hospitalization. This is what my normal life was like...and I hope in a few more weeks I can be back to walking around town or the woods. Until then, I'm afraid I'll rely upon stored photos. ----------- If you're local to me, here's a poster I was recently sent... There have been several trainings given in the area of how to protest.

A good day for my friends and myself

Are you tired of my orchid friends yet?

This sweet one has two stems of blooms...and the flowers know to not bump into each other.

Maybe my Kalancho buddies are saying hi also...they strive to catch any sunlight they can!

The other day I finally changed the water in the fish tank (there are 4 tetras in there somewhere). I decided to let them look at mountains as a backdrop, and haven't put the plastic plants back in. It was getting kind of full of algae, so I am trying to limit the amount of time I have the light on. 

Wintertime is actually when sunlight gets closest to hitting the tank, not directly, but enough to help that algae along. I am pretty tired of this little chore honestly. But I might be interested if I could get some guppies...I like them because they have babies, and I can save them from being eaten by the big fish...so that's kind of fun. These tetras are totally boring. But if I want to de-stress, there they are!

And surprise...from a plant based lunch. My sandwich has sprouts and some veggie patty that I browned a bit, and veganaise (vegan mayo), and I ended up putting the rest of the sprouts on the other side of the sandwich. Yummy! Chips aren't exactly on my diet, but that's how it goes...I do one good thing and another is not so good.

Today's quote:

 We must dissent from the fear, the hatred, and the mistrust. We must dissent from a nation that buried its head in the sand waiting in vain for the needs of its poor, its elderly, and its sick to disappear and just blow away. We must dissent from a government that has left its young without jobs, education, or hope. We must dissent from the poverty of vision and timeless absence of moral leadership. We must dissent, because America can do better, because America has no choice but to do better. 

-Thurgood Marshall, US Supreme Court Justice (2 Jul 1908-1993)

Gone Fishing

I've shared these 2 photos before, among the few that were rescued from a fire my Rogers family (grandparents) had in Fort Worth, TX in the 1920s. 

Annie Lou Rogers Wilson was my grandfather's little sister, both of them raised by an aunt and uncle most of their childhoods.  But their mother moved from Walker County TX where they had been born, and lived the rest of her life in Galveston TX.  And at times the children are listed on census records living with her, like the 1900 Galveston Census.  Annie Lou would have been 25 in 1904. She didn't marry until 1906.

 10-30-1904 Annie Lou's Skiff - I'm pretty sure there was also a sailboat attached to this dingy.

10-30-1904 on Hannah's Reef Galveston Bay.

These gentlemen seem to have a fair catch of fish on display themselves, don't they? I don't see anyone resembling a woman who could have been Annie Lou.

For Sepia Saturday this week, we've got a nudge to go out on a boat, or sit by the water, and perhaps catch some dinner as lovely looking as their gentleman has.

I shall be purchasing some salmon at the Tailgate Market this morning, shipped in from Canada.

Clean aquariums

Started yesterday with the battle of the green algae, which had overtaken both my tanks.  The 30 gallon came first, with my trusty siphon hose and bucket (which is a bit over 3 gallons I think) and walking back and forth to kitchen sink to first remove all the fluorescent green water.

Gourami at top, Neon Tetras to bottom

Oh, I put the 5 big fish into one side of the 10 gallon tank and put a divider so the big guys couldn't eat all the little guppies on the other side.  They stayed in green water overnight, while the new set-up became aclimated for them.

It's so pristine now I'm so proud of my muscles and my arms working so well.  Thanks to Cliff Schulman and the Black Mountain Physical Therapists...I've got arms that work without pain again.

Adult guppies (maybe 14, if they'd only stand still!)

Gourami at top, Tiger Barb at bottom, Neon Tetras mid range

Angel fish is shy, and maybe blind in the eye on this side

The guppy tank got cleaned today, and they didn't get 24 hours either after I'd bleached all their plastic plants and rocks, then rinsed them and declorinated the fresh water for them.  They sat in a big stainless bowl in clean water for a few hours, then I noticed it was getting colder than the new water in their tank.  So I transferred them by net and had a major accident.

One of the guppies landed on the floor, about 2 feet down onto carpet.  The main problem was that I was sitting enjoying all the beautiful views for about 10 minutes before I noticed her limp form.  I picked her up, put her in the stainless bowl and she started breathing, and swimming kind of erratically.  I thought she wouldn't make it, but threw some flakes of food in with her, just in case she needed incentive.  But 5 minutes later she looked healthy.  So I netted her and added her to the tank.  Now I can't tell which one she is.

Again I've set up the tank so I can have baby guppies on one side safe from the appetites of their parents.  There were 2 that I found in the green water and managed to rescue.  We shall see if this setup works like it has in the past, where newborn babies just escape right under the screen onto the "nursery" side. Yes they give live birth, which is why I enjoy them.  I'll let you know.  I probably won't be able to take photos, as you see, these are pretty lame already.  But I'm thrilled to be able to see the sparkle on everything today!

Now if we just have sun continuing to move further north (as equinox is in a couple of weeks) and less comes into the living room windows to strike the aquariums and create that algae again.  Now I'm going to run around setting all my clocks to daylight savings time, ugh.  What would I have done with that extra hour that I'll lose tonight?  Probably invented the greatest thing imaginable, or made the most beautiful pot.  I will be dreaming about it, but have just an hour less than can bring it to fruition.  I don't know a soul who likes DST.

Sunny Mondays

There are some redeeming qualities when the sun is shining, no matter what day of the week.

I haven't much good to say, which reminds me to be quiet.  But I do celebrate the sunshine.  So I'll share that feeling of joy with you.

I also have a small little (miniscule really) joy of life to share.  The guppies had babies again.  I don't know what I'll do when they all grow to full size, as they are just in a little 10 gallon tank.  But life continues.  And I smile in the simplicity of new beings to share it with.

On the other hand, the Christmas cactus which I rescued from beside the road about 6 months ago, continues to not bloom, but stay alive.  Any suggestions as to how to get it in the mood for blooming?

I tried fertilizer (liquid) and sun (all summer) and now it's indoors in an east facing window which also gets a bit of afternoon sunshine.  It's gone dry, and it's been overwatered.  But it just sits there looking peaked.

I hope your Monday is full of blessings of whatever variety pleasing for you!

One thing at a time

It's a busy time of year here.  Various pottery sales, and remember I'm just a hobbiest potter, so I don't do the big shows that professionals do.  And getting ready for holidays, as well as change of seasons!

I just spent most of yesterday bringing the plants inside, because it was a beautiful day to be outside.  I've finally gotten ahead of the game, not waiting till a frost is forecast before I do this job. 

So YAY Barb, I say to myself.

Muffin is pretty happy with the lavender plant as long as there is room on the sewing machine for her as well.

This year they will catch the morning sun...which made it a bit difficult to take a picture with that backlighting.  I've also covered the bare dirt with a plastic mulch, in hopes of keeping kitties from thinking these are nice little round kitty pans.  It's worked for me for years.

Panther was more interested in her fish TV show.  She loves to watch them eat, and hopes I'll spill some of their food for her own treat.

But it looks like she's also interested in the view outside.

The Gourami in the large tank just want breakfast, while the glass reflects the rest of the room.

Fish grow, fish die

No setting on my camera would capture these little guys without blurs

I was so excited Wed. a week ago, that some baby guppies had survived the appetites of their parents...and here are some of them about double that size.  I did however lose one of the pretty mother fish this week.  I guess I should have remembered to take her back for a refund (within 14 days of purchase) at PetSmart.  But I'd already flushed by the time I thought of it.  I do always send a blessing to the little fish spirit however.

This shot does show the gap between the 2 turquoise pieces of plastic that hold the plastic barrier in place, which is how the babies escaped to the nursery side of the aquarium.

They are beginning to have some colors, which I find interesting.  I look forward to maybe being able to get the camera to focus quickly enough next week to have one out of about 25 pics in focus.  Fingers crossed.

My pets have pets

These lovely gold fish cost a whalloping $0.15 each.

Miss Panther is really taken with them.  But why don't they come outside and play with me, Mom?

Well, it's ok for you to have some dumb pets, since I'm smart enough for all of us!