After an eventful train journey - we took an extra 9 hours for the trip!  A freight derailment near Denver meant we had to tow the east-bound train to Salt Lake City for a detour - I have safely arrived in California, and today I report to start the Ayurvedic Cleanse.  I know this is a very comprehensive approach to health, and am not sure whether I will be allowed access to my computer at all.  

I have a few butterflies in my stomach:  will keep you posted as much as I can! 

As a child I lived for some years in Sweden, and then went to school in England.  In both countries, black and red currants were common ingredients both in juices,and jams.  In fact, red currant jelly was a frequent accompaniment to game, used much as cranberry jelly is used here.

My foster Mother in Sweden used to put up rows and rows of bottles of "saft" , strong condensed juice, from her garden every year.

I was so surprised to discover them nowhere to be found in the USA!  All I could find out was some suggestion that they brought disease to trees - which also surprised me, since both Sweden and England are liberally supplied with trees of all kinds.

New research linking ingredients in black currants and blackberries to protection from Alzheimer's may bring these delicious and prolific , not to mention tasty, treats to prominence.