The fish in the Japanese garden koi pond are completely recovered from their winter dormancy.

Lively and curious (and hoping for handouts), they always come to investigate whenever someone leans in to investigate them.

They swam right over as soon as they noticed my shadow, but I didn’t feed them. Koi are omnivorous; they eat plants, algae, insects, seeds and larvae and there are lots of food sources in their pond, so they may seem hungry but actually aren’t. They particularly don’t need bread or crackers, but since they’re carp, they will eat it if it’s offered; they apparently don’t have an off switch that tells them they have had enough.

Part of the charm of this garden is stopping to watch the fish. It’s always a tranquil and relaxing activity that’s very good for us in this busy world.

The major religious observances of Easter and Ramadan are overlapping this year, so I not only wish you a happy Friday, but a very good Friday, one that anticipates health and happier world relations for all of us.