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Some pix I snapped earlier today although most of the small babies are hiding until feeding time.

When my wife and I were married in the early 80s, she always had a fish tank. So we continued the tradition with a 55 gallon tank for some pretty saltwater fish, but they eventually died after a few years. Pretty while they lasted and pretty expensive too to keep replacing them, so we changed to lightly brackish water for mostly cichlids. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_brackish_aquarium_fish_species We also tried "kribensis" in the lightly brackish water, where they can live, but supposedly don't breed. But they did breed, and it was fun to watch literally dozens of little babies in a tank that also contained aggressive cichlids trying to get them and the parent kribensis opening up their mouths to sweep in all the babies and carry them off to safety in their mouth. We had so many babies that we had to keep giving hundreds up for adoption at a local fish store. Here's some info about them. Kribensis cichlids (Pelvicachromis pulcher) are small, colorful, and easy-to-care-for fish that are native to the African waters of Cameroon and southern Nigeria. They are known for their vibrant spawning dress, and their Latin name translates to "fish with a beautiful belly". During spawning season, the female kribensis has a cherry-red belly, while the lighter parts of her body turn bright yellow, and the colors on her fins are more pronounced. These days we have had success with both a saltwater tank and a cichlid tank. But we never had any cichlids breed a brood of babies for several years. But my wife said we should no longer use tap water in the tank, not even filtered tap water. (My wife actually had a filter put in the basement so that the kitchen tap and refrigerator water is filtered, but she actually filters it again in a large "Burkey" filter for coffee and drinking.) I always thought it was too much trouble for tap water that I have tested for all kinds of chemicals and found to be just fine. GETTING TO THE POINT, finally But here's the reason I mention it. Just some weeks ago, we started replacing all water with bottled spring water and purified water until at least 35 gallons of the 55 have now replaced the old double-filtered tap water we had used previously. And "suddenly" after all these years, we are getting babies again, 3 overlapping generations have begun in just the last two months. And they grow fast.

Never heard it. But I have my doubts only because this same topic came up at Bethel many years ago around mid-1979 during the Bible reading of Job and a morning text comment by Brother Franz regarding the "yearly" feast days for each of Job's sons. The fact that he added the word "yearly" started the unfounded rumor. Then, of course, rumors swirled after the following statement made about celebrations with piñatas, allowed for Witnesses in Mexico but not California when I used to live in Southern California. That changed in 2003: *** g03 9/22 p. 24 The Piñata—An Ancient Tradition *** When considering whether to include a piñata at a social gathering, Christians should be sensitive to the consciences of others. (1 Corinthians 10:31-33) A main concern is, not what the practice meant hundreds of years ago, but how it is viewed today in your area. Understandably, opinions may vary from one place to another. Hence, it is wise to avoid turning such matters into big issues. The Bible says: “Let each one keep seeking, not his own advantage, but that of the other person.”—1 Corinthians 10:24. This was the conclusion of an article that admitted the association between piñatas and Christmas traditions. Curiously, the article also noted that the Mexican piñata was not strictly related to Lent, Christmas, and the struggle against Satan, and blind faith, but had an older origin celebrating the BIRTHDAY of the war god Huitzilopochtli. *** g03 9/22 pp. 22-24 The Piñata—An Ancient Tradition *** Breaking the piñata became a custom on the first Sunday of Lent. It seems that at the beginning of the 16th century, Spanish missionaries brought the piñata to Mexico. However, the missionaries may have been surprised (as we were) to find that the native people of Mexico already had a similar tradition. The Aztecs celebrated the birthday of Huitzilopochtli, their god of the sun and war... As part of their strategy to evangelize the Indians, the Spanish missionaries ingeniously made use of the piñata to symbolize, among other things, the Christian’s struggle to conquer the Devil and sin. The traditional piñata was a clay pot covered with colored paper and given a star shape with seven tasseled points. These points were said to represent the seven deadly sins: greed, gluttony, sloth, pride, envy, wrath, and lust. Striking the piñata while blindfolded represented blind faith and willpower overcoming temptation or evil. . . . The Piñata Today Later, the piñata became part of the festivities of the posadas during the Christmas season and continues as such to this day. (A star-shaped piñata is used to represent the star that guided the astrologers to Bethlehem.) Breaking the piñata is also considered indispensable at birthday parties. . . . We found that for many people in Mexico, the piñata has lost its religious significance and is considered by most to be just harmless fun. In fact, piñatas are used in Mexico on many festive occasions, not just for the posadas or for birthdays.

I remember many years ago, a landmarks commission ruled that an old Civil War home in Mechanicsville Virginia could not be torn down and replaced due to its historic value. So the developer proposed that this home be completely enclosed in a museum to protect it. The landmark commission approved this and they built the new building around the Civil War home. Soon after that, the Civil War home being totally enclosed inside another building, they destroyed the Civil War home and made the building an office building. slick.

The Vicar of Warwick has spoken! Brouhahahahaaahaaa! ( ya better WATCH IT! …. he gets REALLY POUTY)

Just a placeholder, for something I wanted to look into a bit later: https://www.villagepreservation.org/wp-content/uploads/pdf/GVHD3.pdf

Manuel, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but considering that you have openly admitted it here, I strongly suggest that you refrain from using your actual name. Instead, opt for a different alias, much like James does with his amusingly named "Pudgy". Either that, or remain in the close club where people are indifferent to causing offense.

It's great that you're keeping a positive attitude. However, on judgment day, will God still find your laughter amusing? Also, it's important to remember that many witnesses secretly celebrate their birthdays, believing they are fooling others.

… and now, as they say in Monty Python’s Flying Circus “Something completely different!”.

It sounds very reasonable, whether true or not true. If true, then there is the “problem” of say, as an example only, one might disfellowshipped for openly celebrating your childrens’ birthdays in 2026, and a week later it’s a “conscience matter. Or the blood issue, same thing. It’s macavellian to make arbitrary rules and regulation just for the purpose of intimidation and fear, but it is a common practice everywhere, and sometimes is fully justified. To consolidate power and authority and fear for a school teacher is a good thing, and always necessary. My wife is a high school math teacher, in a school system that has abandoned that. Arbitrary rules heavily enforced and the fear it creates keeps the rug rats in line …. or used to. To consolidate power and authority and fear of clerical authorities with arbitrary rules and regulations is not permitted in a religion where absolute obedience to TRUTH is what is required, and how a Congregation should be run and disciplined is given by Jesus in Matthew the 18th Chapter, and by his example. Jesus didn’t even have a small suitcase, and certainly not multi-billions of dollars in real estate, or a private Jet. Or several. i really don’t have any standing to pontificate about this, as I asked to be disfellowshipped, except on the basis of common sense… which often is not all that common.

Haha 😆. Been celebrating my birthday secretly. And for me, it's a matter of conscience --- making sure nobody gets 'stumbled'. 🥂

What’s even sadder, but strangely funny, is that your presumptuous slanders are ALWAYS wrong, although sometimes they have buzz words making them ALMOST TRUE. i feel bad sometimes, and am tempted to correct your mistakes … but it passes. I guess that’s because I am uncivilized.

We are aware that Pudgy has been disfellowshipped for a heinous and embarrassing crime. As the puppet master of Pete, he has shown himself to be an uncivilized individual. Given this situation, it is unlikely that you will receive any civilized comments on this thread. Matthew and Srecko are also his sock puppets who criticize at every opportunity. Matthew claims to be Christian, but his unchristian behavior is evident, as they attempt to insult the Watchtower with their empty boasting. I expect nothing but more uncivilized comments from other uncivilized apostates. Those other posts and statements reveal more about their mental illness than anything else. It appears to me that Pete is posing the right question to the mirror and receiving the wrong answer in return. Who are the real false witnesses here besides themselves? Therefore, in the fight between good and evil, they demonstrate to be on the losing end against God while embracing their father, Satan. What's even sadder is this fake news outlet.

I would say, until something is confirmed, it can't be considered new light out of gossip.

yeah … I have also thought about turning this dialog into a book, or a Retro TV SHOW using marionettes.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. I know who I think is the fake JW.

Good grief. I am starting to think this is a prank of some sort and there will be a book released of these moronic statements. I assume GeorgealphonsoBTK is banned from JW Talk.

I read on another site that at least one Bethel insider is saying that the Governing Body is going to start allowing birthdays. They say the Watchtower hired a PR/rebranding firm and has a 10 year plan to roll back doctrine and policies to become more mainstream. They are supposedly 2 years into the 10 year plan. Birthdays next with blood to follow, becoming "conscious matters". Has anyone else heard this?

I was inspired by that Christmas song nonsense. Rather than getting involved in fruitless arguments with someone determined to disrupt and spread hate towards me and the Watchtower, I have made the choice to present the essential questions that I believe should be asked to apostates and disfellowshipped individuals. It's not worth investing time in someone who is dealing with mental illness. Now, for others that have sense enough: Proverbs 26:11-13 English Standard Version 11 Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly. 12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. 13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!” Will the unrepentant inherit the earth? God demands repentance from his creation. What drives people to believe they are superior and go against God with their words and actions? This behavior is damaging to the soul, leading to unrighteousness and ultimately to personal downfall. The core of this fundamental truth lies in the eternal question of good versus evil, righteousness versus unrighteousness. The distinction between becoming a bearer of truth and a dissenter of truth is crucial. How can one truly discern the path of becoming a teacher of truth rather than falling into the trap of becoming a dissenter? Biblically, there are only two paths that God has given that Christ mentioned. Matthew 7:13-14 What is the point of living a Christian life that is not in harmony with God's will? This leads us to the judgment of conscience by Christ. Those who willfully understand their own actions and behavior will be judged as unrighteous according to God's laws. Those who have not come to know God or whose lives were cut short without knowing God's laws will be given the opportunity to know God through Christ in the resurrection, but not before. There is no place on this Earth where the word of God is not being transmitted, in one form or another, by religious groups. Even in the most remote areas, indigenous people can witness the relentless efforts of Christian organizations who aim to connect with them, regardless of any objections they may have, in order to bridge cultural gaps. Before the arrival of Judgment Day, everyone will come to understand God's purpose for humanity. Ignorance of God's purpose and truth will be non-existent. By then, we will all possess this knowledge. The only distinction will be that some individuals whose lives were prematurely ended by the actions of others have been spared from experiencing it firsthand. So, what is the purpose of being a dissenter knowing what fate that awaits those individuals that cannot be changed? Romans 1:29-31 English Standard Version 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.

That's intriguing! Are there any other songs you believe that possess a Pagan essence? Does your church hymns exalt God or yourself?

“ Oh little town of Hiroshima How still we see thee lie Beneath those cold and bombed out hills The strontium clouds roll by. And in the twilight’s gleaming The bomb’s unearthly light The hopes and fears of all the years Were blown to hell tonight.” (… played by a five piece banjo band …)

This newest song by the borg has many wondering if Christmas is next to be taken off the banned list.... https://www.jw.org/en/library/music-songs/original-songs/Good-News-2024-Convention-Song/ “Glory in the heights above”— Good news for all men— When God’s Son arrived in Bethlehem. Hope for those who mourn, A Savior has been born! (CHORUS) Good news, this good news— Joy for all mankind— Praise Jah for his light! Good news, this good news— Preach with all your might. Good news, Christ is born— The way, the truth, the life. He will reign for righteousness. Peace he will provide. Jesus is the way to endless life. Truth he will defend. His Kingdom will not end. (CHORUS) Good news, this good news— Joy for all mankind— Praise Jah for his light! Good news, this good news— Preach with all your might. Good news, Christ is born— The way, the truth, the life. (CHORUS) Good news, this good news— Joy for all mankind— Praise Jah for his light! Good news, this good news— Preach with all your might. Good news, Christ is born— The way, the truth, the life

Thank you!

HahaHAHAhahaaahaa!! Ok Ok Ok Ok (wipes tears of laughter away…) here’s ANOTHER simple test you can choke on. Remember … Projection does not count! Nebulous opinions do not count. Only facts count. What false claims do I adhere to?

You consistently demonstrate yourself to be nothing more than a disciple of the devil, as evidenced by your adherence to false claims. What is the foundation of your truth, built upon such deceitful assertions? You constantly make it all about yourself, even though you are insignificant. Consequently, you surround yourself with individuals you aim to impress, whereas I focus on influencing those who possess a superior moral compass, revealing the deceitful methods employed by the opposing side.