Briefcase Update

Update: Mr. Fish, the betta that came with the acclaimed, no-maintenance “fish planter” reviewed here on July 24, expired two months later, after setting the longevity record for gilled pets owned by yours truly. Mr. Fish might even still be alive, except that yours truly’s daughter changed the water in the self-contained ecosystem after becoming concerned about its yellowing tint. Unfortunately, she substituted Dana Point tap water for the recommended distilled water, causing Mr. Fish’s premature demise. (Yours truly’s daughter disputes this interpretation of events. She notes that she also pruned the roots of the Peace Lily that had begun to overwhelm the bowl. “The fish planter that received four briefcases was probably causing the thing’s demise anyway,” she said.)