Risk, bacteria, and the tragedy of food-safety reform | Grist

Here's a good read about the governments knee jerk reactions to our food industry.

"Oh, bacterial contamination? Lace the ingredients with antimicrobial washes and inject the animals with medications". Yuck.

Risk, bacteria, and the tragedy of food-safety reform | Grist

Thanksgiving Menu

Dinner
Roasted Turkey
Sausage Stuffing (if we can find sausage without mechanically separated meat)
Broccoli and Garlic
Mashed Potatoes
Asparagus with Bacon Cheese Sauce
Gravy
Rolls

Dessert
Pumpkin Tiramisu

Drinks
Beer
Wine
(what else??!)

I'll report back with some photos and a "Diner's Review"....

Happy Thanksgiving!!  We love and miss everyone extra during the holidays....


(figured I throw in this strangely offensive picture of the first Thanksgiving)

'Wild At Heart' Giraffe Dies From Lightning Strike - Paw Nation

Can you say lightening rod!? This is funny to think about, sad that it happened. But I bet the following BBQ feast was delicious!

'Wild At Heart' Giraffe Dies From Lightning Strike - Paw Nation

October in San Jose

Here are some photos from our recent "going-ons"...

A nice sunset on a nice evening. Our big kitchen window on the backside of our house faces west, so we often get a great view of the setting sun.



Pandi jumps in and out of the yard when we play outside. Sometimes she rides the fence, too.



Nothing like carving pumpkins and drinking merlot outside in October.

We carved pumpkins around October 8th - they were rotten by the 12th. My pumpkin is the one on the left and Crystal's is on the right... and needs dental work.

We dressed up as Fred and Wilma Flintstone for Haloween and went out with our friends Tim and Becca up in San Francisco.

Tim and Becca were Barney and Betty Rubble.

West and Sonoma got to dress up too!



West was a handsome caterpillar.

Sonoma was a bumble bee! West loved the antennae/chew toy on her head.

Next up is Thanksgiving, then a short time until Christmas. We're really looking forward to seeing our families during that time. Now, hopefully we can find flights that don't bankrupt us....

Just so you know...

I was recently listening to Fresh Air on NPR with two guys who wrote/directed Toy Story 3.  The interview was interesting, but something they said was difficult to swallow.  They were on about about how the premise of the movie is Andy going off to college and making a decision about the fate of his toys.  The creators aimed this dilemma at two audiences; children who face similar tough decisions in life, but also for the fear parents can feel about becoming obsolete in their children's life.  Not unlike the toys, parents give everything they have to their children - it becomes their purpose in life.  When the child grows up and becomes independent, the parents can fear the loss.  I never had the perspective to see life this way...

My parents gave 18 years of dedicated service to me, and come college, I vanished - poof - leaving behind only old clothes, dusty trophies, and an empty bed.  I was too caught up in the excitement of change and the thrill of living an "independent" lifestyle to see it through someone else's eyes.  My best comparison is trying to imagine Sonoma leave our house for a long period, never mind move across the country, regardless of what awaits her on the other side - for better or worse.  I get myself worked up even thinking about such a  scenario.  And she's only three.  And a dog.

Mom and Dad, sorry that was so hard, but thank you for letting me go, risking the fact that I may never return.  You had the ability to look beyond your own fears to ensure that I could accomplish my own path in life, because you love me that much.  It's a form of the old adage "If you love someone let them go...".

Just so you know, you'll never be obsolete.  In fact, you are more alive in my behaviors, mannerisms, ideals, morals, decisions, humor, political views, parenting skills - you name it - then ever before.  I have embodied your love and hold it close in my daily life.  I am more like my parents than I'd ever like to admit!

Just so you know, not a day passes where our family, and specifically you Mom and Dad, don't come into my thoughts and considerations.  Accepting me as the person I am is a gift from you in every sense of the word.  So thank you.  Thank you for the support, strength, and guidance.  You are not obsolete.  You will always help define my life.

Just so you know, you are forever an integral part of me and I love you.