Rock Talk

It’s a day to celebrate rocks. Each rock is a friend. Our koi pond is made up of many friends. We collected this community of seemingly silent companions with care and affection. We scoured the county for abandoned, wayward, homeless rocks and placed them permanently in our pond. The pond is a gallery of pals with mysterious histories. Each rock is distinct. Each is unique in color and texture. Each rock’s story is as diverse as its exterior. One large, flat rock tells me it’s pleased with things the way they are. The last location was harsh. She fell several feet to the ground on the side of a back road. She spent a lot of time crying. Her tears were the sand and gravel around the edges. It was a sea of sameness. The rock says she wishes that I could have brought her good friend that was left behind hanging on the cliff, but she understands. She’s made friends with most of her neighbors now. She doesn’t miss her other friend anymore. The rock that supports the water fall tells me he loves it when the waterfall runs. He likes showers and the flow is perfect. The island rocks have started a chorus. When the waterfall spills they slurp in rhythm. The ripples against the rocks are barely audible, but they make a beautiful soft sound. When I sit on the edge of the pond, supported by hundreds of rocks, I hear the language of rock. All the conversations blend together. I hear stillness and peace. The waterfall can drown out the undertone of rock talk, but I still get bits and pieces. When the pond is still, I hear rock tones and see rock colors that rival sunsets.

Rock Song

tumble, scramble, roll, spin,
bounce, thud, crash, split,
bang, crumble, jumble, keel
dive, burrow, dust, dissolve,

crunch, lean, crush, fly,
toss, spin, stop, dam,
hold, grab, dig, bury,
cast, scramble, wiggle, burst,

stumble, crouch, dip, descend,
drop, flop, pitch, sag,
slump, topple, spill, plunge,
yaw, strike, slant, cant,

boom, clang, clatter, clap,
clop, slam, wham, smooch,
smash, crack, chink, blast,
thump, rumble, slip, slide.

Catalina
Copyright 2007

Ciao!

Cathleen and Chris!

“Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard
Are sweeter; therefore, ye soft pipes, play on;
Not to the sensual ear, but, more endeared,
Pipe to the spirit ditties of no tone.”
John Keats

Tularosa Koi Pond Pleasures

The orient has known the value of koi for centuries. The beauty, the grace, the serene patience in existence expressed in these fish is inestimable. The butterfly koi, with their long veil like fins, move as dancers in a divine choreography. It's true they are catfish in pedigree, but bottom dwellers can often rise to the top with flash and flair. Koi are all about flash and flair. A whip to the left and right with their stout tails can impress anyone who has done laps in a pool. A swimmer's racing turn is awkward and lazy when matched against a playful or hungry koi.

Our Tularosa koi pond is home to one of the Kings of Koi. Big Daddy is his name and swimming is his game. He lolls about the pond tickling himself on the lily pads, or tucks himself away in the pond weeds to find some quiet meditation. When the waterfall is running his steadies himself under the falling water. He gulps water and air with delight.

Big Daddy is a lesson in survival. When we finished the pond we had no clue what the steps were to introduce koi to the new water park. We had expert advice that was all over the map. Like nurseries, everyone seemed to have an answer. The answers were as varied as the advisers, so we set out to find our own way following guidance from a variety of sources. First we added chemicals, but that killed the fish, even though the directions said it was safe for koi.We would see our error and start again and there, in all his colorful presence, was Big Daddy, Survivor, a small fry by koi standards, but that was in the early days. He kept his head down, so to speak, and each disastrous attempt to keep the pond clear left him undeterred. He would swim with complete equanimity. He never missed a meal. Now, large and in charge, he commands the leading role to four other koi of various shades and sizes, three substantial goldfish and a multitude of mosquito fish. He is safe from our external assaults now that the pond is naturally balanced. It seems true that, if one third of the pond is covered in plants, the fish will thrive. Contrary to many assertions by experts the koi don't bother the plants. Everything seems to be set in balance with the simple plant to pond ratio in place. No expert, I recommend this approach to anyone seeking to naturally balance their pond. Also, having no filter is no problem. It's been five years since we filled our pond. Our koi keep on treading water with no signs of distress.

Finally, we arrive at the whole point of this koi pond blog entry, the beauty of koi with no signs of distress. Big Daddy, the master of the Zen of pond life is my hero. Everyday I walk out and witness perfect beingness. No rebellion, no restlessness, no moving away, no grass is greener, no impatience, no puffing up, no nothing, but the quiet assurance that all is right, right where he is. Having a pond with fish is the perfect lesson in moment to moment living. There is no struggle to bridge moment to moment. Big Daddy demonstrates a seamless existence that hints at a better understanding and sets an example for us all.

Ciao!

Cathleen and Chris!

"Sibelius justified the austerity of his old age by saying that while other composers were engaged in manufacturing cocktails he offered the public pure cold water."

Neville Cardus