Meeting Gene Baur, Author of Farm Sanctuary!

Today was a great day- I continued my birthday celebrating by first joining Snap for our weekly bike ride/run and coffee and a few MORE gifts to open (very spoiled this b-day). Then later in the day went to lunch with Snap and Karina (where Snap insisted on treating) at Slice of Life (where I just ate last night- you can't have too much of a good thing) and then Karina and I went to Petaluma to meet Gene Baur, author of Farm Sanctuary. He gave a great talk about factory farms, the two farm sanctuaries in California & New York, and his work...and then signed some books! I took my old hardcopy with me and bought a paperwork version to be signed. When I met Gene Baur I told him my dad had written a column about Farm Sanctuary and of course he remembered and was appreciative. Afterwards Karina and I wandered around Petaluma briefly before heading home. A great outing!

The hardback version and new paperback version.

By a huge door (you can't see how tall it was) in an alley in Petaluma.

Cool alley.

I thought for a few seconds about getting a tattoo. Just kidding!

With our new Farm Sanctuary books!

At Slice of Life!

Back home, Boulder was intrigued by the book signing story.

And Paco and Luigi gave their approval - they're all for farm animal welfare!!

Toby just had one thing on his mind. You can guess what it is.

Celebrating My 44th Birthday at The Lazy Vegan!

When I woke up today (at a reasonable 5:30 a.m.- the animals let me sleep in!), the first thing I thought of was that I was 44. FORTY-FOUR!!! This just doesn't seem possible. Sometimes I still feel like I'm fourteen! (Not necessarily a good thing). I had a nice birthday doing low-key things- the highlight of the day was going to buy fake flowers for my Beetle! And then we had a nice dinner at our favorite vegan restaurant, Slice of Life. Right now as I post this entry, I'm eating my vegan German Chocolate cake. I'm happy to be 44 and was happy to spend the day celebrating with the animals! Maybe next year they'll sing Happy Birthday to me!

Wearing my new bright yellow birthday blouse!

The donkeys were being extra cute, in honor of my b-day!

My giant daisy in the Beetle! I couldn't decide which color I liked best- so I bought a bunch- now I can switch them around!

Isn't this the cutest car in the world? What other car has a special spot on the dash for a flower???

This is exciting: a pair of vegan shoes I ordered a while ago came today! Perfect timing.

I was spoiled this birthday with fun gifts!

Bravo's not sure about the new shoes. Or the birthday business.

The orange daisy!

Morning geese!

Grazing donkeys.

Solo can't believe how old I am!

With my Boulder in the media room!

Boulder is Allowed in The Media Room at The Lazy Vegan

Prince Boulder is the only animal allowed in the media room at The Lazy Vegan- despite the fact that he threw up his cat food all over the new orange futon (it happened to match- gross, but true!). We just want Boulder to be enjoying his senior years as the only feline among the dogs & donkeys- so he gets some extra attention! He took advantage of his media room access and took an early evening nap on the futon, while the dogs scampered around downstairs. The foreman successfully installed the surround sound system. I now fear we may never leave the media room!

Boulder has his special little spots- one is by the wheelbarrow, and the other by one of his favorite scratching trees.

The donkeys would really love to see the media room. I seriously doubt that they ever will. Maybe we can take the t.v. out to them for special shows!

I've never seen Boulder in the corral before- he was rolling around, dangerously close to a pile of donkey manure.

Prince Boulder on the futon in the media room!

Solo helped me with the evening chores.

It takes him forever to go downstairs now- and I have to lift him to go up.

My birthday present to myself- a day early- I broke my "no clothes shopping" rule and bought ONE blouse. This will become a basic in my wardrobe- a bright yellow shirt! It will go great with the VW Beetle! Just because it is fun.

Paco gets comfy on the fence.
He stood like this for a long time!

Toby and the donkeys sort of play together.

Weegie couldn't figure out what Toby's stupid toy was!

Adding Surround Sound at The Lazy Vegan

Apparently it isn't enough to have the visual theater effect at The Lazy Vegan- we need to HEAR more of a theater, too! The foreman came home this evening with a new speaker system to attach to the new t.v. Last night we watched a documentary about the Nile River, and I have to say that with the combination of the large screen and high definition, it was an impressive showing. I amost felt like I was on the raft with the crew going down the Nile! So if the foreman thinks we really need an upgrade in sound, I'll have to trust his instincts. So far they've been good!

Boulder was caught napping up in the "media room" late in the afternoon. He's actually been allowed to hang out with us when we watch movies. But the poor pups are still banned. I don't feel too bad for them- I make sure they're plenty cozy downstairs!

Impatient for sweet grain time!

Solo sports his gray face. He has his annual appointment with the vet next week.

Bravo with his reflection.

Lots of green grass coming up!

Toby and the mouse toy.

A robin tries to hide.

I am so attached to my Boulder. He's just the greatest cat ever.

He does have an interesting eating style.

He's one noble cat!