This is getting Bear(y)ridiculous
7:15 p.m. Yeah, 20 minutes ago. We’re in the hot tub doing our thing, clothed in a smile and sipping a glass of Rhine, when Holly, who has been on the phone almost continuously since we got home from the hospital (another story for another day) screams, “Oh my God! A bear!”
Out lumbers this huge black bear with dirt on it snout and a quizzical smile. Okay, so I made that up. The rest is true.
Like I say, we’re in the tub and suddenly we are presented with options. Stay and watch or beat feet! We elect to stay, for awhile. Neat thought.
The bear comes out onto my maintenance shed apron, chooses to walk the thin line between the shed and the Wisteria that seldom blooms (seen it happen once in 16 years) and boldly walks where who knows how many bears have walked before – unbeknownst to us. This time it’s not unbeknownst.
Holly, a lover of beauty who finds a bear in our yard quite the thrilling thing, says, “Oh how beautiful.” She continues to talk to whoever’s on the other end and shares her conversaton with me and the other party.
Now, this is a big one and amazingly, it gets bigger and bigger as it ambles fearlessly toward us. I had taken the feeders in only minutes before, so it was not to get the meal of birdseed it wanted. It crossed my mind that these black bears are herbiverous. I was checking to see what kind of a plant it might think I am, when Holly reported that it was now altogether too close (about 30 feet and closing) and option number two might be a wise plan.
I stood up ( I know, it looked ridiculous). The bear stopped and when Holly also stood, it apparently thought we’d ganged up on it, and happily, it beat feet.
Somehow we didn’t mind that it plowed through our northwest garden and was gone.
I had mentioned to Janet recently that I hoped people who are plagued with bears (or at least sight them) would call the State and report the sighting.
In my view they are beautiful creatures, but they are becoming too numerous and I refuse to think of a 400 pound anything as CUTE!
Anyone out there have a plan? Your blog comments are welcome.
Dick and Holly
