May is my favorite month in Portland. The days are long and the trees are alive and colorful; vibrant greens fill in the gaps between the dark evergreens. Last year, we had the wettest April, May and early June on record. This year, however, a May heatwave broke daily and monthly records. This inspired an explosion of roses and an early return to my favorite summer activities--hiking, cycling, and paddling.
When I'm not working or playing outside, I stay involved in the animal welfare nonprofit sector. Years ago, major food companies promised to meet meaningful animal welfare standards by 2024, specifically by eliminating the worst chicken cruelty in their supply chains. But some chains, like Starbucks and Subway, have failed to be transparent about their progress toward this goal. Across the country,
Mercy For Animals is holding companies accountable by demanding a progress update on their commitments. On Saturday, I passed out leaflets in front of the Subway next to the Portland State University farmers' market, encouraging customers and passersby to urge Subway to report progress.
The following day, I joined Tom's mom and sister to celebrate Oregon Wine Month. The annual
PDX Urban Wine Experience is a joint winery event held by the PDX Urban Winery Association. Craft winemakers aim to bring the best of every region and grape in Oregon and Washington. 17 local Portland winemakers poured 43 wines, showcasing 25 varietals.
In other news, my new finance Tom recently accepted a job offer in Australia, so
we are moving to Melbourne this summer!
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| Annual Dog Mountain Hike |
