First and most important, a heartfelt thanks for such encouragement following the last post. I am humbled by your kindness. It’s been a difficult patch, but I’m a tough old piece of leather and will get through this fine. It has given me pause to think about loneliness (as opposed to the often delightful state of being alone). Admitting you’re lonely is a little like admitting to an embarrassing medical condition. If you were a better, more acceptable person, you would not find yourself in this position. Thank you all for proving me wrong. And the Spare Ass Society is the most entertaining grassroots movement I know of.

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Notice the hint of green finally appearing in the meadows. Looks like there may be a spring after all.

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Charlie perpetually looks like he’s just chewed your sock or pissed on the bathroom rug. In fact, I believe at the time of this photo, he was actually a complete innocent. But his world has been very upset lately. Bella, the little bitch, has discovered his secret stash under the bed. She persists in dragging out the pen or lens cap or gum wrapper that he has carefully put away, then wantonly destroying the item for her own amusement.

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The best line of the week: Max Mosley, president of the group behind Formula One racing, explains that the video (which reveals him whipping women) is not really a Nazi-themed sex romp. He spoke German, he said, simply because it was the native language of the women involved in the erotic rendezvous. Well, thanks for clearing that up, Mr. Mosley. Sorry to have interrupted your fun.