How many Surrealist painters does it take to screw in a lightbulb?.......The fish!

It was just over four years ago when I made my move to Montgomery (2001). And now just over four years later I am sitting here in "the B-ham" under much different circumstances. That first year in Montgomery was really hard for me. It was a time of loneliness and awkwardness too. So what did I do? I went out and bought a beta fish. I had decided that outside of my houseplant "Geraldine" (coffee plant who has since gone to that big "garden in the sky"), I needed more life in my little apartment. So Dekooning (the fish) became a part of my surroundings. It’s funny to see the look on people’s faces when I tell them that I’ve had Dekooning for four years. I guess most people’s beta fish don’t make it past a year or two. And to think that I almost killed him in the first few weeks of bringing him home. (Make sure you mix the correct quantity of ‘stress coat’ to water, folks.) Then a few months later (2002), Dekooning was stricken with a medium case of the ick. Which left his fins lackluster and frazzled. Then in early 2005, he suffered ‘pop-eye’. I think that was the worst of all.

I had gotten concerned over the past few weeks because I had noticed that Dekooning’s under-side had turned silver. I guess this is the version of gray hair in the fish world. Plus, Dekooning has been sleeping a lot more than usual. But luckily he’s been eating well, and still responds to my odd Cindy-tunes I sing to him during his food time. Here’s today’s tune. "Dekooning, you’re the coolest fish in the world. I don’t even know if you’re a guy or a girl. Ooooh ooohh, but you rock my world." Yeah, I know……I’m silly.

Yes, I hate to admit it. But I will be sad, maybe even devastated, when old Dekooning passes away. He’s been a good fish and a good friend. He’s been through the past four years of ups and downs without a ‘gurgle’ of complaint or ridicule. So here’s a shout out for Dekooning, the coolest fish in the world.