Tisk, Tisk....the globalizing food industry.

I was just reading about the Chinese "coal protien" added to pet food, which began killing dogs, in turn added to livestock food, in turn to people eating the contaminated pork.... and the US government extorting that as long as more people don't get sick, it's ok.

The Blog | David Goldstein: Melamine-Spiking "Widespread" In China; Human Food Broadly Contaminated | The Huffington Post

So, luckily, this idea has kept me from buying most process foods for my kitchen, and I'm so happy to live in Europe, where, as long as I avoid the giant consumer brands (Nestle anyone?), eat locally... then I'm better off.

Here's the article that started it all. I still have the original on my shelf.

Take a read: http://www.harpers.org/archive/2004/02/0079915

The tables came out the other day. Lovely sunny Spring afternoon. Cool breeze, hitting about 22c.

As I was walking home with my paper bag full of groceries (actually, a few days till payday, so not that full!) and realized how comfortable I feel here; in Madrid; in Spain.

Unlike my years in B.P., I don't fear the people on the street (talking to them), or going into shops. Of course, B.P. is way off the curve. It is rare, if ever, that I see something and find myself saying, "Whaaa?" It's not surreal here.

How you keep'n

:-)

A beautiful time this weekend, at nearly 3,000 feet (890m), in the Selva de Irati, part of Northern Spain's Basque Country. One of the largest beech-fir forests in Europe.

(Kike was great, and make sure everything was great. Thank you K.;-)

Not only hiking around this lake, but a weekend with lovely gente.... and I must say I was surprised at my growing level of understanding of Castilian! Could even play Trivial Pursuit in Espanol.

I forgot/didn't bring my camera, as I noticed my companion and I have a similar artistic eye. Hopefully I can show you some of his photos soon.

http://www.turismo.navarra.es/eng/organice-viaje/recurso.aspx?o=3041

The Arce (Acer platanoides) trees were my favorite... sitting sparse and lonley on hilltops.

Saw and ate jack-rabbit (conejo?)

Sheep and wierd-ass short legged horses.

Green moss (mosgo) and mist everywhere!

Culturally protected Aezkoan granaries, garaiak or gareak in Basque.

Finally, finally.... to the right... to the right!!!!

The Blog | Alex Leo: Walk Rage | The Huffington Post

Oh my gosh..... I'm glad I've been motivated this weekend, and especially enjoyed lounging around the hair salon today. However, let me just say.... I wasn't blond when I left the house! Oh no!!!!

No harm done.... I'll enjoy the next few days while I try to figure out if people are staring because it's pretty, or pretty bad. Then "course correct."