It's sounds weird, possum fur, but they are warm and soft and not itchy.

Bear in mind that Australian possums are not closely related to New World opossums. They're more closely related to kangaroos. (See, for instance, the pic on this page: [link] This is a brushtail, the species that was introduced into NZ.)

I thought it was a little different.

Our opposums are NOT that pretty.

Here in the neighborhood, they are all fangs and attitude. Not pleasant at all.

Packing and ADD do not mix. At all.

Oh god. I've been stressing about packing for my trip next weekend for two weeks.

Here in the neighborhood, they are all fangs and attitude. Not pleasant at all.

Of course, the website I linked to is for a pest control company. Our possums are prettier, but they're no more welcome in suburban areas.

My favourite of the New World opossums is the yapok. It's the world's only aquatic marsupial. (There's no room for an aquatic marsupial in Australia, because the platypus already occupies that niche.) Not only can the female seal her pouch completely watertight (allowing it to keep feeding without the young drowning), but it's the only marsupial in which the male has a pouch too. Not just a pouch, but a posing pouch. It tucks its genitalia in the pouch when it dives, presumably to stay streamlined and avoid getting its dangly bits entangled.

Man! That's some evolutionary efficiency right there!

Reminds me of those minivans where the seats tuck into the floor. Genius!

Huh. I wonder if the car designers took a page out of the aquatic marsupial book?

Billytea - how cool. I have never heard of the yapok before.

Packing and ADD do not mix. At all.

Oh god. I've been stressing about packing for my trip next weekend for two weeks.

Going on vacation is kind of horrible. Well, vacation is fine, but it's the period leading up to it that's hell. We are planning a vacation for late June/early July, and Tim is already stressed about it.

So, I've been going to the gym since January, several times a week. I *like* lifting weights. I have curves that go in, now, instead of just bulging out, and that fat that hangs down over your elbows is starting to retreat. The folks who work at the gym now recognize us, and they said, "So you're not some of the 'show up for two weeks then disappear' types." And I'm down 15 pounds from when I started!

However, I was listening to my music this afternoon, and the title song from the movie "Heavy Metal" came on, and I'm afraid I may have gotten too enthusiastic on the upright rowing machine. I may not be able to lift my arms tomorrow.

I have curves that go in, now, instead of just bulging out, and that fat that hangs down over your elbows is starting to retreat.

It is amazing how lifting can re-shape your body. I lost significant circumference around my hips and waist without actually losing any pounds.