Anna a "new Mommy" with Linnea

Anna Pettersson who had lost her dog Olive in a tragic event a few months ago writes in with a happy update on how she is doing. Below are photos of the new addition in her life.

"I wanted to send a greeting to the group. It’s been a while since Olive passed, and while I have meant to stop by to say hello and thanks to everybody for their kind attentions, it was hard for a long time to venture back to the stomping grounds.

I would like to share that I was “rescued” a couple of weeks back, by a tiny pup from the ASPCA. Her name is Linnea and I find it impossible not to smile when she’s around. I enclose a first set of pictures and look forward to getting reacquainted as soon as she has all of her shots taken care of.

Many many thanks, again, for all the support you and the group provided during the hard times. Hope to see you in October!"


Best,

a.

The Price of Fresh Produce

As I was strolling through the park last week, I saw the most paculiar thing-wild green onions, growing like mad all along the upper path between the dog run and 140th Street.

Now, I suppose it's not terribly strange, but it was odd seeing vegitables growing fee in the park-in a city setting. I was absolutely facinated AND I began to notice them all over, including in the dog run.

My curiosity overtook me and I made up my mind to dig a few up and possibly re-plant them at my apartment. Who wouldn't want fresh green onions in their kitchen? I mean, after all, the only fresh thing we seem to get around these parts is Fresh Direct.

So, a few days later, on my way back from the dog run, I grabbed a stick and began digging up a few "test" onions. After a few minutes of scooping away earth and a couple of odd glances from park goers, I pulled up my first batch and threw them in a plastic bag.

They were quite healthy looking and smelled incredibly fresh. I was excited to wash them off and possibly throw them into a stir fry that evening. When I got home, I went straight to cleaning and trimming my precious find and I noticed that the green onion odor began to grow.

I stepped outside to dispose of some recycling and when I came back, I realized that the smell had not only penetrated my apartment, but the entire hallway and downstairs area! All I did was wash them and leave them to dry on my cutting board, yet it was absolutely pungent!

Regretfully, I had to make the quick decision of getting rid of them all together, as I new the smell would only grow if I cooked them up in my wok. I wrapped them in a couple of bags and sadly tossed them in the outside garbage.

It took more than a day to rid the house of that smell. I found myself in quite a conundrum, thinking, "Is this smell normal? Is this the price I must pay for fresh produce, straight from the earth? Or is it some bizarre toxicity caused by the city soil of our rotting big apple"?

I'm not a farmer or expert on this kind of thing, but it seemed safer sticking with what I know. So, I sat at my computer and clicked away, filling my virtual Fresh Direct shopping cart, odor free.