old man plesser

Ah, there's my handsome prince! This guy has been so sweet since we got home -- all smiley and happy. It's really nice to see. Especially since he's getting up in his years (10 and a half now), and we're seeing the aging coming on hard. Poor Merlin has a really tough time getting up on the hardwood floors these days, and I now have to lift him into the car when we travel (and 80 lbs is HEAVY!). But I'd do about anything for this guy (including buying a ramp for my car), so it's no big thing. It's just so hard to watch them age. I remember him and Memphis practically knocking us down over and over again when they would play as puppies... sigh.But enough of the sad stuff! I have some actual business to take care of over here! So a few of you have asked recently if I'll be doing another calendar because you like the ones that you bought last year so much. I've been pondering this, and I would like to do another one... but I'm not sure what on.When I examine the people who bought them last year, many of you were not huge music fans, but rather photography fans. And since reaching out to each musician to get permission was a bit of a pain... I thought maybe I would do something different this year.I'm contemplating three two different calendars, and I would like for you to comment and tell me which you would prefer. And if no one comments then I'll scrap the project (and cry in my bathtub).Option A: A dog calendar. Probably mostly Magda and Merlin, but perhaps others as well. Or would you  just want Magda?Option B: Nature shots. I have so many beautiful scenic photos from Palm Springs, Northern Minnesota, Tahoe and now Oregon that I think I could make a really beautiful nature calendar.Again, please tell me your preference in the comments, please and thank you.Now! For my internet share of the day! This one is gross, and I apologize, but I feel everyone should know about it. It's a story from the LA Times about... cockroach farms in China. Yes, they are BREEDING COCKROACHES. What for, you ask? Why, MAKEUP and MEDICINE. Yeah, go read that now.