It was a most relaxing two weeks at Cape Cod, with intermittent thunderstorms, dancing, and poking at glowing moon jellies. I fell in love with Thomas’s family and friends, and I liked pretty much anyone who cared to stop by and stay a few days. True, it was a bit too crowded at times, but there are books to escape to.

Then is was home again, home again, jiggity-jig. I managed to spend absolutely hours in the kitchen, making tabbouleh, hummus, chapati, bagels, pretzel bagels… I even made a most special treat: vegan chocolate wheat-germ bars, with graham cracker crumbs made from scratch and homemade sweetened condensed rice milk. This was especially special because Grandmom, who made these for years for her children and grandchildren (it’s a secret family recipe after all), has never tasted more than a bite due to butterfat allergies. At least, she hadn’t until I brought her my version! Now how will she keep her girlish figure?

My mom’s friend from New Zealand, Ann Marie, was visiting, so we got to show her some of the classic spots on Bainbridge and in Seattle. I also caught up with my grandparents (Granpa, a classic man of the grill, even expressed interest in trying some vegan cooking next time!) and my close friend Anna. There was also some back-to-school shopping to do: some lovely button-up, button-down shirts from Goodwill, and the perfect pair of black canvas flats for a dollar a shoe.

We payed homage to Mount Saint Helens on the way down to Reed, with its dramatically hewn landscape softened with a dusting of grass and wildflowers. In the Forestry areas, cloned trees created moire effects. But the rest of the way was familiar and almost nostalgic, and my friends and I still haven’t tired of complaining about New Reed.

One thing that Olde Reed did not have, however, was an organization for vegans and vegetarians. So what changed? I came along, that’s what! With a head cold, I stayed up late making hand-outs and posters, and in the afternoon sun I sat for hours collecting signatures. But in the end it was worth it: 30 signatures, members of the Reed Vegan Society. That makes a whole lot of like-minded people, who want to make food and make change. It’s one responsibility I’m more than happy to take on.

Oh, my other responsibilities you ask? My Thesis, you say? Perhaps it’s a secret. Perhaps it’s too early to tell. But I’ll give a small hint, a tiny possibility: “bee dancing.”

That’s it! No more stories. I have copious amounts of words to read, and a few more to write. Farewell.