In my recent journies, I discovered a most excellent network of bike paths that connect directly to the realm of the Neighborly Abode. Since they aren't running parallel next to any streets, there is no road noise, and they go for a nice distance. To the east, the trail goes underneath Sheridan and next to to a bunch of cement water canals. I have yet to make it to the end in that direction.

To the west, the path goes all almost all the way to Wadsworth, coming out near the new Safeway on the corner of 80th. It was in this direction that I journied this afternoon, alternating between a jog and a walk.

I decided I was starting to get hungry, so I wandered over to the Safeway, where I found some good deals on spinach, grapes, and bananas. (People who say fresh produce is the most expensive item aside from meat must be doing something different. My total bill came to $3.55, and I had more than enough to fill up on. Of course, as my receipt informs me, had I not used the "club card", it would have cost over twice as much. The deals they were offering today were quite a bit cheaper than usual.)

I munched on my food as I wandered back to the east. While I was eating the red seeded grapes, I noticed there were a few withered specimens hanging from the bunch. I absently wondered how these few had gotten so shriveled, while the rest of the bunch was juicy and plump.

Then, I decided to be nutty. Instead of discarding them like any normal person would do, I put one in my mouth. After all, a raisin is nothing other than a dried grape, right? These were raisins. They even looked a little bit like raisins.

But the taste was drier, less sweet, more sour, and... unmistakably fermented. Very distinctive. Though I m certainly no wine connoisseur, I've had a glass from time to time. The flavor of these was similar enough that I decided to call them wine raisins. I ate some more of them, and searched out the rest until no more could be found attached to the stem.

What a bonus! Not only did I get nice fruit and vegetables, but also a micro dose of fine wine to go with my meal, and at no additional charge!

This is indeed the good life.