As once's eyes adjusted, was surprised to recognize probably 20 smiles (if not 20 names) from three or four states. One of the treats was to meet Nate from Guppylog. Let it surfice to say that he is a character, even when not auctioneering. :)

Lots of tots ambling around not too far from mom. More than a few fish bags in the strollers. ;)

There was a wisp of sadness. Tri-Counties had buried the Mom of one of the members the day before. That morning, the Missouri Aquarium Society said goodbye to one of their all time greats. :(

Delivered a CD of incriminating candid photos from their recent show to their web site guy. (The nice thing about candids? Guess who is behind the camera?) Made plans to swing by for (hopefully) a really fun, audience participation program in June.

There were several bags of guppies. A couple colonies of small Endler's were also on display. A variety of other fish and quite an array of equipment and tanks were for sale. (Even some bags of amazing pink gravel were on display - and for some reason, they went cheap!)

Some guppies didn't look quite like what I was looking for. One terrific 3/4s black trio caught my eye on table 6. Unfortunately I was kibbitzing with new acquintances from the area and Memphis and missed them in the bidding. Duh!

Did get a possibly new rainbowfish (some debate on the name kept prices down.) If it proves to be other than advertized they will be assigned to greenwater duty and I'll go look up the seller for a heart to heart.

Really wanted some Val and snagged the last bag. (Last bags are either a lot cheaper because others have their Val and less money OR three people still really, really want the item.) Also got a great looking bag of water sprite (Oh Red....). While bidding up prices on some great killies got stuck with small pair of Nothobranchius guentheri - a wonderful beginner's annual killifish. What a happy accident! A peat pelate is soaking. They are separately housed, pending establishment of their new home manana, er later today.

Also needed a replacement for a powerhead that died. Buying used equipment is always a big gamble, but $7 netted one which the auctioneer vouched for. (Of course how many auctioneers ever say, "Here's a really pug-ugly fish"?) It's currently sitting in a gallon jar with a super saline solution, hopefully popping any bad wee beasties which came with it.

So three of the four items on my shopping list were corraled.

What to do about those guppies?

Well SWMAS has an auction next Saturday in Kalamazoo, MI at the Kalamazoo community college. That is really livebearer country and here's hoping...

If there is any tank space, money and energy left after what should be a truly memorable killie show March 20-21 at the College of Dupage in the west Chicago suburbs (featuring New Jersey's legendary Rosario LaCorte for a couple of programs) there is always the Grand Valley Aquarium Club and their Annual Spring Auction on Saturday, March 27th in Grand Rapids at the

Crusader's Center (probably Calvin College)
1065 - 36th Street, S.E.
in Grand Rapids, MI

or the Michiana Aquarium Society's Annual "A Buck-A-Bag" Spring Auction on Saturday, April 3rd at the:

Concord Mall, Community Room
3701 S. Main (US 33)
Elkhart, IN.

(And later in April the ALA National at Kalamazoo again and later the Missouri show in the St. Louis area.)

More diversions and temptations as notice comes in. ;)