Chapter 6 More FishI didn't do justice to the Forgotten Grotto on my first trip there, so I took more pictures when I returned.
Unfortunately, all I got were pictures. I couldn't catch an anglerfish or sturgeon, and the digsites didn't contain either amethyst or death metal, the only crystal and metal I was lacking. I got another pretty picture of Sylvan Glade.
And one of Magnolia Promenade when I went there to fish, but no betta or tilapia at either site.
Needless to say, I was feeling pretty discouraged. Canasta took note of this when I was helping her with her geography homework not math, she's great at math, but history and geography are hard for her. "Sunset Valley was settled before Riverview," I reminded her. "It's where the Goths came from."
"I think you should take up yoga," Canasta told me. "It would really help with your stress."
Did I mention that Canasta has been practicing yoga? She's started talking about chakras, too, and centering.
"What would help with my stress is catching a betta fish," I said. "Also finding an amethyst or some death metal. And while I don't mind your exploring inner space, don't forget that you need to get high scores in fitness to become an astronaut."
Canasta promised to work out on the treadmill if I would think about trying yoga. She kept her word...
...but I really didn't have time for yoga because I was too busy trying to catch those last, two, special fish. My sister Chess took up meditation, however.
She started telling me about it when she and Dad and I were having lunch together. (Canasta won't eat hot dogs anymore she says they're full of toxins.)
"As you develop, you can start levitating," she said, "and even teleporting. You'd like that, Cribbage, you could go straight to the Forgotten Grotto without having to pass through the park in Oasis Springs."
So I decided to give yoga a try. Canasta showed me a mind concentrating routine that would help me become focused.
I got focused all right on the pain in my back.
But maybe there was something in it. That evening I caught a betta fish, out behind the Museum, where Canasta's yoga teacher Joria had said they would be.
And the next day I found some death metal after shooing some tourists away by changing them into their formal clothing. For some reason they didn't want to sit at the picnic table when they were wearing sequins and glitter.
I got promoted at work, too, and now have to get only one more promotion to reach the top.
Last, but by no means least, Marlene enjoyed the new suave kiss that I came up with.
Coincidence? Or have I attained a higher level of consciousness? I don't know. Canasta also talked me into stocking an aquarium so that we could relax by watching the fish.
Grandma, in particular, likes to spend time looking at the fish. It's definitely better than her mixing drinks all day or talking to the plants, which was what she did before.
I don't know whether I'm willing to give up hot dogs, but some of this New Age stuff is all right, I guess.
