PASSIONATE RATIONS

Since announcing at year’s beginning that I would be going vegetarian (with special exceptions for travel), I have been surprised to learn that, apparently, fish and chicken don’t count as “meat” to many people.

“Well, you eat chicken, right?” I have been asked a number of times.

Ummm.  No.

To me “vegetarian” means I don’t eat animals.  Last I checked, chickens were, pretty universally, considered animals.  To me, fish are animals; even bay scallops are animals.  Yes, oysters and octopus too.  What is it about such creatures that makes this a difficult concept?  Are they just not as virile as, say, beef cattle, such that they are relegated to vegetable status?

I guess everything proves more complicated than it might appear at first glance.

But stay tuned for postings about my liberal use of the travel exception on my trips to Washington and California last week.

Hmmm.  Maybe the exception is causing the confusion….