whoah got my starter back
All of a sudden my starter was getting VERY active, reminding me of like day 2-3 when the bacteria are creating the gas. But I made an alright loaf, it rose fine. The next day the starter was again almost foamy, and I smelled it, not the usual smell, a bit more alcoholy or something, didn't taste the same sweet/sour as before.
Then I realized the other day I fed it with tap water instead of filtered water. Then I read something here about 1:1:1 ratios for feeding and it occurred to me that I was underfeeding (and only once a day), whereas for a few days there I was feeding twice a day so I was probably feeding about the right amount (was leaving a bit much starter in, instead of discarding).
So after one feeding with filtered water and full 1:1:1 proportions, Eugene got back to himself! Yay. It happened so quickly, I had some hope recovery would be quick, but whew, I was trying to get ready for prime time @ holiday get-togethers. Culture is really a living thing!