a bridal shower. and the vegan doctrine.

"Veganism is a way of living that seeks to exclude, as far as possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing and any other purpose." - The Vegan Society

Lately, I've been feeling like a bad vegan. Yes, I've had the vegan guilt. I'm not religious, and this must be what it feels like. Guilt, repentance, rinse, repeat. And today was my best friend's bridal shower. Off a little exit on I-75, there is a little town with a stoplight, a trucker hotel complete with tacky (amazing) gift shop, and a Holy Ghost Revival sign. There are also the most beautiful houses you have ever seen. My friend, Jessie, grew up in one of these houses. A beautiful Southern mansion with a chicken coup, a garden, old oaks, and more than one porch. It was already beautiful, but her mama somehow made it even more so. And at this bridal shower, my beautiful, soon-to-be-wed bosom friend made a beautiful cake with eggs, and butter, and all kinds of food that I'm not "supposed" to eat. But you know what? I ate it anyways, because I know Jessie made it with her strong, graceful hands, and she probably danced a little too. It was the most delicious thing I've eaten in a very long time. And I don't think it was because of the butter and the eggs. I think it was because of the love. And all the beautiful women that surrounded me in their flower dresses, holding vintage cups full of rum punch and blackberries, laughing, and sharing their wisdom with Jessie, me, and others.

Above, rests the vegan doctrine. And I don't think I'll be whipping myself tonight. Jessie is actually on her way to see my new place. Here are some pictures from the garden. It was already like this. Kelly, the woman who lived here before me for several years made it beautiful. I love it how all the women that surround me like to make things beautiful.

Ella the cat, with my computer.

The entrance.

After the ladies left the big house complete with old oaks, everyone took a stroll over the grounds, and Mary gave me two venison backstraps and a half carton of eggs. The deer was hunted by Jessie's father, and the eggs came from the chickens that clucked and pecked in the front yard.

"You know what?" I said to my friend Stephanie as we left the party. "If those chickens were unhappy, they'd run right out that open gate and live their own life." We laughed a little, and I can't wait to make a sunny-side up egg, or chewy cookies, and a crockpot full of venison.

...Is that vegan?