Someone bought the piece of driftwood I wanted on ebay while I was waiting for the seller to answer my request about the combined shipping I was denied, after she said, “Yes, I combine shipping!” I picked out another piece, but when I went out to look for rocks by the creek, I happened upon a piece of long-dead osage-orange. It was covered with moss I wish I hadn’t pressure washed off because it turned out to be too big for the way I want the tank. Cool-looking, though, and the moss would’ve died anyway, since it ended up by the pond.

The piece that will be in the tank is one I had over by the pond, that I replaced with the too-large piece. I pressure washed it, and like it even better because it’s less orange, plus this one fits nicely in the tank, with room for plants.

After I test-fitted it, I put it in a tub of water to soak, weighted down with a rock. There’s also a small piece for Cliffie’s Walstad tank in there.

I didn’t get to paint my wall today because I had to do more work on my corners, and that meant leaving the drywall compound to dry. I went outside, messing around with wood, mostly, but I also replaced the screen in Miffy’s bedroom window, and put screens in the other bedroom window, and Miffy’s window in my closet. Happy Window Tiger.

Since I had the pressure washer out, I cleaned the metal stand for Cliffie’s tank, but wanted to let it dry overnight. I’ll repaint it flat black tomorrow. I painted the back side of Cliffie’s tank, too. One cat hair and one small flying insect embedded. Meh.

Last thing I did was cut a piece of FO trailer wallboard to make a bottom shelf for Cliffie’s tank. My spray can went a bit nuts, so I’ll give it a quick scuff sanding before the final coat, but it’s green stone texture, and I think the metal stand will look nicer than the particleboard fake oak thing his tank sits on now, which may end up painted as a printer stand.

EDIT: I finished the sanding, and while not perfect, it’s a damned sight smoother than it was. How rough was it? Rough enough to leave patches like this after I sanded it.

ANOTHER EDIT: Primed and ready to paint tomorrow. Hopefully I’ll get both coats on, and it’ll be done! Well, this part…still two walls in my office with tacky peach flowers. Anyway, Drywallers Monthly will never call me for an interview, but I did okay.

ANOTHER EDIT, BUSY DAY: I also moved the 55 to its position against the wall. I wanted it in the middle, but the cord in the outlet would’ve been visible, so I moved it a bit to the left. It’s still empty, though the soil and wood are soaking, and the sand is in the living room, but even empty, the LED moonlights are cool. They don’t keep the fish awake, so they stay on when the main lights are off, as long as the cord is plugged in.