Compassionate Living: Choosing Vegan

In 2006, I was a regular contributor to the Pacifica Tribune, a local paper on the coastside. Here’s the first article, originally published March 8, 2006.  Check out your local newspapers, magazines (print and online), and organizations for opportunities to provide vegan content.

I moved to Montara eight years ago from the paved urban sprawl of Concord. Not only are the roads different in Montara, but so was the old white animal being walked slowly by a woman – not a dog, but a horse! The woman politely asked if her horse could eat the tall grass that bordered my house and the street, and I was quite agreeable – I had never viewed it as anything more than a weedy thatch of crabgrass.

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Top Ten Vegan Quips

Rescued Chicken at Animal Place Sanctuary

Sometimes I’m introduced to others by co-workers or family members as “the vegan”.  Occasionally I’m asked why I’m vegan or whereabouts in Las Vegas did I live. I’m just kidding about the last part. I hate the heat, so Las Vegas would be the last place that I’d live.

I’ve read Living Among Meat Eaters and author Adams’ theory about how defensive meat eaters can get angry when faced with a vegetarian’s presence that reminds them they’re eating corpses, which can lead to verbal projectiles towards unsuspecting veg*ns.

Diablo, rescued and living at Animal Place sanctuary

It can be a long, involved discussion (and if I’m not careful, a really tall soapbox) to explain why I’m against the exploitation and use of animals for food, clothing, entertainment, personal care products, medical research, etc.

When a meaningful discussion isn’t possible, or you just don’t feel up for it, try humor to get your point across without being defensive or offensive.

I’m channeling Letterman in offering my Top Ten quips as to Why I’m Vegan

10. It was part of my teenage rebellion and I forgot to outgrow it
9. I want the memory of an elephant and biceps of a gorilla
8. My mother told me to do it
7. I don’t believe cows should have all the fun with farting
6. I own stock in a broccoli factory
5. No one steals my lunch from the frig at work
4. It all started when I ate my Chia Pet
3.  I’d rather eat like a rabbit than eat a rabbit
2. Just to be awkward
1. I hate plants

So .. maybe you laughed or maybe you groaned

Back in the Weeds

Gardening was once an active pursuit of mine, more along the lines of growing plants that I could eat, but I also enjoy decorative ones, too. I didn’t stop because I ran out of things to grow, or weeds to pull, I stopped because my energies and focus shifted to my vegan advocacy.

Two parallel impulses are driving my renewed interest in gardening. First, I’m seeking more of a balance in my life now, to include activities that keep me away from the computer, the TV, and instead provide an opportunity for some fresh air, a little bit of exercise, my favorite color of purple, and who knows, maybe even improve our property values once the weeds stop being as tall as the house.

Three cans of general weeding from this week, plus the 3 from last week, mean another full load for our bi-weekly pickup. Oh, and should I mention this is all from the front yard

Top Cat

There was a period of time when I only had room for the largest cat bed on my desk, resulting in a kitty pile-on.  It’s for moments like these that I keep a digi camera at my desk.

Top Cat

And, later that same nap session, a more equitable sharing arrangement

Sleeping Cats

I googled for “sleeping cat” and came across this wonderful collection of images at ZuzaFun.

Kickass Pampas Grass

Pampas Grass yields tall spears of bamboo-like lances with a feathery tip.  I’d never seen one until we moved to the coast, and I’d never seen one up close until it vigorously sprouted in our front garden.  Once established, it will continue to grow if ignored, spreading out horizontally while it grows taller.  It’s considered to be an invasive plant, since it literally grows like a weed and crowds out native plants.

From afar, it can look quite lovely, but up close, the long leaves have sharp, razor like edges.  Over its lifetime, one plant can produce a million seeds according to wikipedia

Pampas grass reaches 2nd story

This one plant in particular has been growing prolifically in our front garden for the past several years.  It had gotten quite tall,  with spears that were reaching the 2nd floor of our house.

In the below photographs, you can see a work in progress at removing a Pampas Grass plant that had been growing for several years.

The first two weeks involved primarily trimming, to get to the core of the plant.  In the first go-round, I cut the spears about 4-5′ from the ground. I leaned them upright against our house and they were taller than the garage doors. I also re-discovered the greenhouse in our garden!

The second week was spent clearing away all the leafy growth around the base of the Pampas Grass.  This filled three bins with the leaves.

By the third week, I had reached the core of the plant and utilized the special new, narrow shovel purchased specifically for the task of digging up the Pampas Grass by its roots.  After much shoving, panting, and mental ranting on my part, I knew I’d dig out the roots of this monstrous weed.

Moral of the story:  Pampas Grass is best removed when small.  That is, unless you’re looking for an opportunity to make 8 barrels of greenwaste from 3 successive Saturday mornings.

Say Moooooo!

Moo, 2008

Cat awakes from Nap

Wow, it has been a long time since I’ve blogged.  Plus, Chris has upgraded the software to a new version of WordPress.

I’m feeling a bit rusty so this is a trial post and I’ll share a pair of my favorite photos of Moo Spot.  That’s Harry in the background.

I have thousands of photographs of cats lying / sleeping as that’s the only time they’re still long enough for me to snap a photograph.