it was beautiful

The waxy, surreally-bright pink flowers on my Thanksgiving cactus are finally fading and dropping off. 

So pretty while it lasted! (pics from a week ago)

angel gone

 My second-favorite angelfish, Shirley, died sometime last night. She looked okay yesterday- alert and came eager to eat just like always. But this morning I didn't see her in the tank, had to search. She was on the tank floor behind a filter sponge, not moving. She rests in the garden now. I don't want to keep a large tank running for just one fish, so I am breaking down the 55 and moving Precious into the 20H.

I knew her end was probably coming within the year, I didn't expect it to be so soon. Even though it was half-expected and I've never been quite as fond of the gold angels as I was of Miss Beautiful, I still feel very sad and glum.