Overwhelmed In The Heartwarming Department

So I was going to blog last week but I knew that this past weekend would probably give me something special to blog about..and boy was I right! My guy J took us to the Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary in Poolesville Maryland. J had emailed one of the owners, Terry (the sanctuary is owned by Terry Cummings and her husband), and was able to get us a tour of the place. We were told that they don't start tours until April, but this past weekend they were doing a special tour for a group of little girls, I'm thinking they were called Earth Scouts...though I could be totally wrong. So we arrived along with about a dozen anxious and excited little girls and their parents after traveling back a winding road that seemed to be hidden from any sort of main road. J and I were both a little nervous on our way there because we didn't know what to expect. Let's face it, people may create an environment for animals that they feel is a sanctuary..the animal though may have a different story. One more to add to their likely already horrific tale of survival. We came to the end of the little road and were greeted with dozens of geese wandering all around near the very large pondlake..yes I made up a word...near the road. I was even greeted by one that waddled right up to the car when we parked!

We walked over to the picnic tables where we were told everyone would meet and I couldn't help but marvel at how much space this sanctuary has. And what surprised me most was looking into the one large (extremely large) fenced off area and noticed that the cows and mules and horses were all wandering around together! I thought this was like illegal in the animal kingdom! Terry walked over and introduced herself and talked to us a little about what to expect on the hour long tour. At that time everyone else caught up and we began. J and I decided to stay to the back to give the kids a chance to really be involved in the tour and holding/petting the animals. Our first stop was to see the the chickens, turkeys, peacock, and guineas (hoping I'm not forgetting others). After that visit we wandered over to visit with the pigs. This may sound a little, but I never knew how HUGE they could get. We got to walk right in and pet them..3 of the biggest were taking a nap and just didn't seem to care about anything. After that we walked into the large field with the cows and friends. Yea, we walked right in...right past a guy with horns that could definitely do some damage. I kept glances over at him to see if he was annoyed or angry, but he just watched us all walk in and then went back to doing his own thing. I was impressed at how large these animals were without all of the hormones and whatnot. Our final visit was to feed the sheep and goats. They had such funny personalities!

Throughout the tour Terry made it a point to tell us the stories of some of the animals, all of which were so heartbreaking. She also was kind enough to talk with the kids and parents then come to J and I and talk a little more in depth with us. After the tour I wanted to thank Terry personally and we got to talk with her privately for about a half an hour or so. I was so impressed with everything about the sanctuary! Terry and her husbands house is right in the middle of the sanctuary so they can be with the animals at all times, but still give the animals plenty of space to do their own thing. Another thing that I absolutely loved was that they never take anything from the animals. They never milk the cows, they are allowed to naturally dry up as a cow should. I mean...after a human mother gives birth, does she continue to produce milk the rest of her life? No. The eggs from the chickens are taken far out into the woods and left for wild animals, so not only are they helping to feed the wild animals, they are also not wasting the eggs! Terry was so kind and told us stories about the animals, how they got started and some of the hardships they've faced. She is definitely a strong willed and caring person who is a true inspiration. She even had a farmer come after the sanctuary because he wanted his pigs back. She locked the gate to the farm and stood there making sure he couldn't pass. Oh...and did I mention he brought the police?! After we left, J and I both commented on how at peace we felt from being at the sanctuary. We can only imagine how wonderful it must be for the animals!

I would tell you more stories but that's not my place...go visit the sanctuary yourself...and this post is already huge. If you get the chance, please visit Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary . It is so important to help out these smaller animal sanctuaries because so many don't know that they even exist! It takes A LOT of money to keep these amazing places running. Poplar Spring has great events to raise money and to get people to come find out what an animal sanctuary is all about, like Thanksgiving WITH the turkeys! This is a place that animals can come and live out the rest of their lives in peace and comfort. Please do what you can whether it be donating, sponsoring or volunteering. I wish that I lived closer because I would absolutely volunteer. I live over 2 hours away in PA, and besides Poplar Spring, the closest animal sanctuary is in New York State. These places need our help. I am so grateful we had the chance to visit and I cannot wait to visit again!

If you made it through this entire post in one sitting...get yourself a vegan cookie :-)

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

"There is no difference in what we're doing in here
That doesn't show up as bigger symptoms out there
So why spend all our time dressing our bandages
When we've the ultimate key to the cause right here
Our underneath..."


I can't believe it's March already! I have to say the first 2 months of the new year have been pretty great for the most part! I have myself a new guy, a great guy. A guy that puts up with all of my shit and still texts me from the time he wakes up to the time he goes to bed and visits every weekend. He lives a little over an hour away, and while it is a pain, it actually isn't too much of a problem. Not seeing each other just isn't an option. It feels good to be in a secure relationship. Oh and did I mention he is vegetarian turning vegan...just like yours truly!

Speaking of, I have been eliminating more and more animal products from my food and just about everything else. When I first read Alicia Silverstone's The Kind Diet, I quickly realized I couldn't eat meat anymore...but I never really thought about becoming a total vegan. Now..I feel like it is the obvious, most practical thing to do. I feel confident and secure with my decision, knowing that I will be getting the nutrients and protein that I need. All it takes is some education and common sense. I will probably be focussing this blog more on my vegan journey and what not..because I hope that my journey could possibly help even a few people with their own journey...or maybe even just open some eyes about the practicality of living a kind life! But no worries, I will still be throwing in my two cents on random things and giving you little tid bits about my relationship. It's nice to not only have a partner in the relationship sense, but with becoming a vegan as well.

My guy, I shall just refer to him as J, has been a vegetarian for 4 years now and will be making the vegan transition next month. I have been a vegetarian for just a little over a year (January marking the anniversary). J has never read The Kind Diet, so I've been trying to fill him in as much as possible. It really is just opening your eyes and realizing that as humans we take SO MUCH from our planet and from other living things, and rarely give back! I could go into a huge rant right now, but I'll save that for a later date ;-) To my readers...however few you may be...look for some changes in the near future. I have become quite a passionate person... with the planet, animals, LGBTQ rights and many other random things...that I feel the need to share and hopefully enlighten some people or at least come some of you involved in things you're passionate about! Till next time!

So vegetarianism and veganism isn't for you? You may be surprised! Challenge and enlighten yourself!

The Kind Diet

The Kind Life
http://www.thekindlife.com/