Queen for the day!

  I have a tendency to hang on to things even long after their use has dwindled.  Some things actually never had a use to humans only to the critter that first "owned" them.  Years ago, said items were considered collectible. Take for instance, the Queen Conch.  Back in the 1920s, it was obviously all the rage to gather the large shells and use them in home decor.  At least my grandparents did and somehow, I inherited their shells.  I am talking about two very large Queen Conch shells. These sat on the hearth of their fireplace.  I remember as a kid being fascinated by the "queen-sized" shells and thinking that they were the most lovely things ever.  Most likely this adoration was simply because the inside of the shell was pink and, back in the day, pink was my most favorite color.  I would sit near the hearth and gaze at the lovely shells. That was about all I could do as I was not allowed to touch them.  In my mind, that "do not touch" meant the shells were highly valuable.  Now, I have the shells....just what I needed.

  I have never thought much about these large (twelve inch) shells until today.  The sun was just starting to slide down into the western horizon when the shells took on a whole new look.  The sunbeams streaming through the window made the shells literally glow!  Once again, I was a little kid that was mesmerized by the golden-pink color and now I am not even a "pink person".  

  Although the mollusk and their shells are still used, their harvest is now regulated.  The large Queen Conch was on the verge of being over-harvested and their numbers were rapidly declining.  Since the regulations have been put in place, things seem to be better for the mollusks.  Hopefully, this unique critter will keep its place in our world. My grandparent's shells?  Perhaps I shall enact a "do not touch" law and keep the shells about just as a reminder to be more mindful of other life around me.