Gone Fishin’

Ever since I can remember I have loved aquariums. Colorful, serene, bastions of beauty. 

Unfortunately, I wasn't as enamored with having fish of my own. After seeing one too many goldfish floating belly up in random pet store displays, I relegated my fascination to National Geographic documentaries and the expansive tanks of giant metropolitan aquariums. 

Many years later I got a cat who was bored to tears with my daily routine of going to the office five days a week. I thought about getting him an aquarium, but was afraid he'd fish the fish right out. But then I found a faux version, a clear tube that came with all kinds of plastic fish.

After filling it with water I plugged it in, triggering a stream of bubbles to rise from the bottom of the tube. The "fish," propelled by air pockets, would "swim" for as long as the on button was flipped. 

Mr. Stanley watched those fish for hours, happy as a clam with his new toy. Move over catnip. The fish have arrived!

“Aquariums make us realize how beautiful silence is.”