My dear readers,
Usually, on this blog, I tend to write in a humorous, lighthearted and now-and-then sarcastic manner. But, although it saddens me, I feel I must share with you all some bad news, and I will attempt to do so with the utmost tenderness and respect.
*Deep breath* Here we go...

I assume you all remember our dear friend, Ian the Pirate? Yesterday, I was sitting in the Sebastopol town square, painting away to my heart's content, when Ian the Pirate rode by on his skateboard. Upon recognizing me, he stopped and walked, head-bowed, to where I was sprawled on the grass with my easel and yoga mat. He greeted me solemnly, and confessed that he had some bad news.

"Murray died."

My hand immediately flew to my chest, where my heart was thumping uncontrollably. Murray, Murray the Rat, who, for the past three weeks, had served as something of a mascot for the Sebastopolian vagabonds, dead?

"Oh, Ian, I am so sorry. That must have been devastating."
"Yeah, it was major suckage at first, but I've come to terms with it now. He lived a full, happy life, and he died surrounded by lots of love. I threw him in the ocean. I think he would have liked that. It's gonna be tough without him, though. I mean, Murray's been with me since I left Michigan. I think I'm gonna need to find another [rodent] companion before I continue on my journey."

But of course, we all know deep in our hearts that no rodent could ever replace Murray the Rat.