Lachesis

Lachesis may seem awkward and grotesque because of the huge bumps on her head. Many a customer has come in and said things like: "Ooo! It looks like her brains are on the outside!" or: "What's wrong with your fish? Is she sick?" or--my favorite: "Why is the fish wearing a shower cap?"

BUT, if you do a Google search on Oranda Goldfish, you will see that Lachesis is a FINE example of the breed! She actually seems far BETTER in "conformation" than some of the Prize Winning fish I've dug up on Google. Yes, Virginia, they have Fish Shows! They give ribbons to the Best Fish at the shows, just like the Four-H. A long time ago I had a bristle-nosed Plecostomus, an Anachistrus, win Best in State! Yes, I AM a Fish Geek!

On the down side, Lachesis has the Swim Bladder problem that makes her swim upside down. This doesn't hurt her, but it would be a definate point-loser from a judge's point of view. AND sometimes the head growth--which actually is only fleshy tissue, sort of like a wart--can grow over the eyes and the tissue needs to be TRIMMED! Yes, vets do that sort of thing, but you have to SEARCH for one who can do it! They mildly sedate the fish, then take it out of the water, perform the surgery quickly using a sharp scalpel, then return the fish to the water for a quick recovery. Hardly any blood is lost, because the tissue is sort of like a fatty deposit around the fish's head.

FYI...

Wendy

The ART Corner

264 Washington Street

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

CONSTRUCTION

Hi!

We're having construction at the store. I hired NOYSA CONSTRUCTION, who fixed some windows and the fascias on my house to come and do similar work at the store. (We're also thinking about redoing our kitchen and bath at the house and Noysa is a FRONT RUNNER to get the job! Roger Noiseaux is a nice guy and remembers all the little details you ask of him. PLUS he tells you straight out how much his sub-contractors want and how much HE adds for his fee!)

NOYSA is redoing the vinyl siding covering the fascias on the store building, because the wood underneath is rotting. Thankfully, the workers are finding LESS rot than we supposed! The photo shows one of the rear corners. the left side has been finished; the right is awaiting fixing.

AND we had the old, delapidated bulkhead removed and they paved over the spot. Now, no more cars get hung up on a useless cinder block foundation that leaked like a sieve into Justin's basement! NO MORE MUSHROOMS! Wheee!!

(I wish I had had the foresight to take a "before" photo, but, you know the saying--"forewarned means you have four arms! Or something like that...")

Wendy

The ART Corner

264 Washington Street

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

The Three Fishes

The Three Fishes, as opposed to The Three Fates, have GROWN! Here they are as of this week.

Klotho is the Red and White Oranda; Atropos is the Calico Ryunkin; Lachesis is the beautiful Red Oranda, who swims upside down most of the time. She has a swim bladder problem; no harm!

Wendy

The ART Corner

264 Washington Street

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

GO FISH Reception!

We had FUN at the Go Fish reception. Michele, Mary Jo, and I hosted about twenty people to view our FISHY work Friday night. FISHY style food helped set the tone for the evening: Pepperidge Farm Goldfish, Swedish Fish, Shrimp, Popcorn Fish, Smoked Salmon, and Mini Crab Cakes were offered. By the end of the evening, we had hardily any food left. My brother polished off the remaining shrimp; no surprise there! He didn't HAVE to be there at all, but he probably isn't sorry he showed!

WE've had POSITIVE response to the exhibit so far. People have come into the store JUST to see the works; one of the FIRST times this has happened. We just need some sales...

Wendy

The ART Corner

264 Washington Street

Salem, MA, 01970

PETUNIAS

The new window boxes sport purple petunias and white chrysanthemums, as well as coleus and vinca. Just to clarify.

The former "pretty little flowers" I had bought from the Thompson's Nursery Lady, that died over 4th of July weekend: well, ONE of the plants didn't "die" but withered. I have it on a shepard's hook in my yard to resusitate. Poor thing. Just didn't look good out front of the store. Not the "image" I wanted to present. Though I'm a sucker for the Under Dog and the Disadvantaged...

Wendy

The ART Corner

264 Washington Street

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524

WINDOW BOXES--VACATIONS

FINALLY!!

I got to put up the window boxes out front. I tried one set of flowers, but didn't like them--snap dragons, because they went IMMEDIATELY to seed, so I bought purple petunias instead. I don't like petunias, but I DO like purple and petunias can stand the full sun.

The Fourth of July weekend did the snappers in, also, AND the pretty little flowers in the hanging baskets, so those now sport MORE petunias! (I'll take pictures of those tomorrow and post them soon.

Sorry I haven't been posting as often here; things have been hectic around here. Summer's supposed to be the SLOW time for the store, but we've been CRAZY busy, building the business, as well as completing framing for customers. Those pesky customers...JUST KIDDING!

PLUS summer means vacation: Nancy took ten days to California a while ago, which translates to about 3-4 days off at the ART Corner; I took a couple of days over Memorial Day weekend, plus a day and a half two weeks ago to go visit DAVE in Up State Ny; Elaine leaves for a long weekend in August to visit Melanie in California--her daughter, my niece! Also, we took Monday off this week, to accomodate the Fourth on Tuesday. A nice THREE DAY weekend!

We're back on track now, except for Elaine in August.

Wendy

The ART Corner

264 Washington Street

Salem, MA 01970

978-745-9524