Received my first delivery of plastic fish. They came from a woman I met through Ebay. They are fantastic! She sent me a dozen little rubber koi, a larger goldfish, a small octopus and a jellyfish that is astonishingly realistic, plus it glows in the dark!
The octopus, though cute and well-made, is a bit of a disappointment because of size. I had intended to set him up at the main mah jongg game, using his tentacles to discard the winning tile. But he's just too small. So instead, I glued him to the front grill, which is now my "octopus catcher."
I was excited about getting all those fish, so I started setting up the hood. I wanted the carpet to look like ripples of water flowing around the mah jongg game. I'm not sure if it worked as intended, but it looks nice anyhow. And I added an aquarium plant to the grill, next to the octopus. I only partially glued it down, so the wind will move it a bit while driving.
I also added a few of those dollar store killer whales. But I don't yet have the players for my mah jongg game. I think the large goldfish will work, but I want to have the others before I glue it down. If I'm lucky my American Science & Surplus order will arrive tomorrow, it has some larger fish in it.
I found a company called Safari Ltd. which sells lots of "museum quality animal reproductions." My glow-in-the-dark jellyfish was made by them. They also sell a giant squid with bendable tentacles, which might be just what I need. Unfortunately, their catalog is wholesale only. I have a certificate of resale, but they want a federal tax ID number. I'll have to work on that. I want that squid!
I am astounished on what you can do with photos.
I think you are a lovable kook, somebody this miserable old world needs a lot more of.
Dear Sol and Pedro, thank you! I'm happy to be considered a "lovable kook." It's much nicer than being a hateful kook!