Ever feel that the world exists solely for your own entertainment? After going on far too long about brain parasites, I promised myself I'd stop. But then one of the webcomics I read regularly posted this today:

So you're saying I should suggest that my wife clean the litterbox as part of foreplay?

If you both take turns, you won't want to leave the house, and neither will she.

We're renting in Augusta until we find the place we want to settle down in.

Tonight we will be looking at a 12-acre lot just outside of North Augusta, SC. My wife now wants to raise goats and/or sheep. I think she is getting back to her Bohemian roots. She is of Czech/Bohemian descent after all ...

I could deal with a Great Pyrenees to guard the flock. Didn't someone here just get one or two of those?

Anyhoo, this should be interesting; will keep you guys posted.

Real80sman and it was a cross with a Pyrenees,IIRC

Great dogs!!

You might also consider a Border Collie to take the herding to the next level, not that a Pyrenees would be bad at it either.

My Uncle has always had border collies on his farm and he trained every one I could remember to do amazing things. For instance, when he wants the cows in the barn, he sends the dog who opens the gate via a rope lever, herds the cattle through the gate, leads them across the road and up into the barn where he closes the barn gate with another rope and self catching latch. Never is even the most rambunctious calf ever missed.

Actually, His latest dog "Mack" has been my best buddy lately as I have been helping out on his farm once a week while my Uncle is in the hospital with Pancreatis and every conceivable side effect from it. There is one stall that I refuse to clean (Don't have the nerve) when his giant, award winning, Belgian stud is in there. He is more than happy to be led outside to the little fenced in area beside the barn for a while but going back in is another matter. He digs his hoofs in just short of the door and that's that.

Once again, with a whistle, Mac comes to the rescue. I just have to tell him, "Mac, put Jake in the barn." and in less than 30 seconds of barking and nipping at his heels, this 2000 lb monster of a horse goes inside and walks straight into his stall. Good Dog!!! Here's a pat and a milkbone for ya!!!

What I love most is that they are so genuinely happy to help. He will take the milkbone but you can tell the scritch on the head excites him even more.

Dude, you can scratch the top of his head, then keep the Milkbone for yourself.

Win-Win, I say.

Great stories, Murph. I'm always impressed at a good herding dog, or pig if you believe the movies. La la LAAAA!

In other news, the travel dates are set for my trip to New York City (all together now as the Pace Picante guys: New York CITY?!). I'll be there from 5/29 - 6/2 visiting with family. I've PM'd the wise old crow, Alan, to see if we can meet up. I'm going to get him to confess that he is bbigwyres, as he is my top suspect for "#1 audiopile".

Use torture techniques if you have to.