Around the World

Hallstatt, Austria

 

Pacific coast of Mexico

 

Osezaki Lighthouse, Japan

 

An old water mill

Remy

The ravens are having a good time chasing Nedi around the back yard this morning, talking away while they do so. Lovey is sitting between me and the monitor, as usual - and typing around a warm, moving body doesn't really get easier; she likes to plant either a foot or the base of her tail on a key, or on the mouse, which wreaks havoc on my text. It feels chilly out, as it's 40 degrees and we have 38% humidity. I've got a load of laundry in the washing machine, and I've been to the grocery store and purchased what the kitties need for the weekend. Monday afternoon I get to meet my new psychiatrist; and I'm nervous. I've had Dr. Shapiro for 9 years of care, and I'm so used to his easy smile, fuzzy beard, and laid-back attitude. I have no idea what this new doc will be like. All I know is her name is Cindy....

  We are still suffering from the drought, and we have a high winds watch posted for today through Sunday - officials are worried about wild fires. Several small wildfires have broken out in the past few weeks, and have been brought under control quickly. However, the Fern Lake fire in Rocky Mountain National Park is still burning, and has now burned over 2 square miles within the Park.

Poor Remy. The nerve-disconnect in his lower spine seems to be worsening each day. He doesn't appear to be in any pain, but his hind legs just don't support him very well, and he is having trouble going up and down the stairs in his home. Recently, I've only been walking him about one block, over to Kathy and Jim's house, where I release him in the back yard, and then play toss and chase with Rosie (and Mona and Boo) for 45 minutes before we walk back. Remy usually lies down for half of the visit in the Snow yard; the other half, he walks and trots, and even runs around. On the way home, though, his hind legs usually can't support him at all, and my left arm becomes his lift and support mechanism, using the Blue Dog "Help 'Em Up" harness. Holding up, or supporting, Remy's hind end in a padded sling, he can walk all the way home on his own 4 feet. He is so sad-looking when his legs give way - he knows something isn't right, and he looks at you with such a silent, deep embarrassment and apology in his eyes, that it's heart-breaking.

  The main problem is that Rosie isn't having any physical problems. She is full of energy and continuously wants to be on the move. And they have always been together. It's very difficult to walk Rosie without Remy. I was able to do so yesterday because he was having acupuncture - and Rosie and I flew around the neighborhood at a good jog. When Remy is with us, we are relegated to his much slower pace - and Rosie loses her patience and pulls like mad. Remy's family is thinking about getting a large wagon, so he can roll alongside Rosie - but he won't be able to sniff the scents on the ground, so I don't know if that will work. The other option is the doggie wheelchair - but I think the family is trying to avoid that right now.

  The main thing, though, is that Remy is bright-eyed and eager to go out for his walks with me every morning - he eats and drinks well, he is cognizant of his surroundings - but his hind end just doesn't work correctly. We'll keep working with him as long as possible, trying to keep him up on his own feet. I promise.

Jon Embree, I'll Miss You

Boulder, Colorado is white bread. Having grown up in various areas in the southern United States, and having been a minority in my high school, I feel comfortable with "people of color." I'm not sure of the exact demographics of Boulder, the city or the county, but I can tell you that the majority of people living here are white. (I saw a young black man sitting in the back of the bus the other day and felt that I had to join him - it felt like I was in Alabama in the early 1960s...) In any event, Bill McCartney, who was the head football coach at CU from 1982 through 1994, has stated that he feels that a part of the reason that Jon Embree was fired from his job on Monday was due to racism. (McCartney is white, like me.) Hmmmm. If Bill McCartney sees the firing of Jon Embree as racism, shouldn't all people interested in civil rights and job equality - especially the liberals here in Boulder - take note of that?

  I like Jon Embree. He's a nice guy. He wears his heart on his sleeve - if he is happy, everyone around him knows it; if he's sad, he cries, and everyone knows it; if he's angry, he yells, and everyone knows it. I have yet to hear one bad word about Coach Embree from the young men that he coached here in Boulder. I have yet to hear a bad word about Embree from the other football coaches at CU, either. That really makes me wonder... I, personally, am dismayed and disgusted with the decision to fire Jon Embree - but I'm just a citizen who likes watching football....

  My only question is: What is going to become of the CU football program? Since I live here, I'll continue to support the players - I'm just not satisfied with those who make the decisions about the hiring and firing of head football coaches.

Jon Embree encouraging his players on the football field

 

Former head coach Bill McCartney believes racism is a part of Embree's firing

 

Embree, in his exit interview, in tears

 

Seen in Scotland

A hikers shelter in Glen Afric

 

A cairn in the Highlands

 

A public call box in the Highlands

 

Loch Stack in Sutherland

 

CU Football

I'm going to stick my neck out a bit and blog about college, football and coaches. If you know me, you know I love football - collegiate and professional. For me, I enjoy it because I can yell at the players, coaches and referees from the comfort and privacy of my own home, and that's my way of venting all of my frustrations that I find in this world. I love to watch a good defensive game. I like to see and hear the hits and the grunts of the men exhorting themselves. I am not going to delve into the very real problems of traumatic brain injuries and concussions. They are an existing fact, and I wish the game could be played without their occurrence. (But as long as the players accept their paychecks and go out and play, I have to admit that I'll watch them.)

  This all started when the University of Colorado at Boulder, whose proud stadium is two blocks down Folsom Street from my apartment, fired their head football coach of a little less than two full years. CU will be borrowing money to pay off Coach Jon Embree, so that CU can legally break their contract with him. They had to pay-off the previous coach, Dan Hawkins, too. That, to me, means there's something fishy in Denmark. Some one, some where is not doing their job; but is it actually all on the head football coach's shoulders? Jon Embree was hired to take the place of Dan Hawkins; he has coached the CU football team through 25 games, and was fired this past Monday morning. Last year, the Buffs played in their old Division and won three games. This year, CU began competing in the PAC-12; they won one game. As I said before, I love football - but, but, but, but the collegiate sport of football should never be the be-all and end-all for any university, college, or assembly of alumni of any educational institution.

  I've looked at the University of Florida head coach position as opposed to the University of Colorado head coach position - Between the years of 1950 and today, each university has had 11 head football coaches. Bill McCartney coached longest at CU; 12 seasons - 153 games, with 93 wins, 55 losses, and 5 ties. Steve Spurrier was the coach at UF for 11 years; 150 games - 122 wins, 27 losses,and 1 tie. UF had a head football coach for one single game in 2004 - Charlie Strong (the Gators lost). In 1962, CU had their shortest tenure with Bud Davis for 10 games, with a 2 and 8 record. So what is the big difference between the two colleges and the two athletic directors and the two head coaches and the players who go out for both teams and almost bust their guts trying to play well?

  I honestly have no idea. Will Muschamp started coaching the Gators when Jon Embree started coaching the Buffs - the Gators were 11 and 1 this season; the Buffs, 1 and 11. Jon Embree was told to pack his bags and leave on Monday. I'm pretty certain that Will Muschamp hasn't received that directive. Is "the problem" recruitment? Is it CU alumni? Is it the Athletic Director? Is it the Board of Regents? Is it the whole university? I don't think the problem is those young men who go out and practice so hard on a daily basis. They give their bodies and their pride to the game and to the fans.

  Whom has failed who in the CU football program?

Around the World

Dawn at Escherndorf, Germany

 

A waterfall in Guyana

 

Performance of a traditional Cossack dance in St. Petersburg, Russia

 

Sunset in the tropics

 

A Wet & Slippery Monday

I didn't blog yesterday because the weather underwhelmed me.  Got up, took care of my kits, grabbed my day bag, and headed for the bus.  It looked like snow.  It smelled like snow.  The fog and clouds were hugging the mountains and foothills half-way down.  Walking from the bus stop to the Thore house, I was covered in very fine, teeny-tiny snow flakes.  They melted as they hit the ground, but covered my hat and jacket.  By the time I was supposed to walk the Rs, it was too slippery for Remy to keep his footing, so that walk was cancelled. I let Dhisana, Lily and Tessa in and out as they wanted, read a new Clive Cussler book, and napped most of the day.  When I returned home I watched Jeopardy! and then went to bed with the Clive Cussler book.  It was excellent!  I finished it last night, but not before Lovey decided to sleep lying across my chin and mouth....  It was interesting there for a while.  The clouds stayed for most of the night and we never climbed above 35 degrees.

  Today, it's partly cloudy and we're supposed to reach 52 in the afternoon - but it's also forecast to be windy - we'll see what happens.  There have been a few reports of a single coyote being seen trotting through the neighborhood, and I was contacted this morning by one of the neighbors about the "howling" at night.  We don't have any wolves here, so I'm assuming that she's hearing a coyote chorus. I need to send out a notice that we have a pack nearby....   The Broncos won on Sunday, but the Vikings, Saints and Packers lost.  

  I was very happy to watch the Gators defeat the Seminoles in Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday; but having recently read a new biography of Osceola, I had to blow a raspberry at the FSU mascot, Chief Osceola riding Renegade, the leopard Appaloosa.  My first disconnect was the eagle feathers attached to the Chief's cap, along with the double ow of eagle feathers on the war lance.  True, eagles do live in Florida, but their feathers were not usually used by the Creeks and other tribes that became the Seminole nation.  The second, and largest disconnect came from Renegade.  Renegade is a good-looking leopard Appaloosa - and therein lies the rub: the Appaloosa horse is a color breed that was developed in the 1840s through the 1860s by the Nez Perce tribe along the Palouse River in Idaho.  Seminoles might have used Florida mustangs, or the occasional US Army horse that was captured, but not an Appaloosa.  During the Second Seminole War, the Native Americans were going hungry themselves, as they were squashed into an unlivable domain - a horse would have been the utmost luxury and would have belonged to a great Chief.  Osceola was a fantastic warrior and strategist, but he did not own a single horse or pony.

  I hope that your week is a happy one.

Southern US Views

The Confederate Rose Magnolia produces blood-red buds; as they open, they become paler, ending in a pure white flower that dies within 24 hours.  (I plan on raising one in a huge pot on my patio!)

 

Surf at Delray Beach, Florida

 

A cottage in New Orleans, Louisiana

 

Surprise Sunday

I arrived home from making three last pet-sitting stops, loved and fed Nedi and Lovey, then listened to my voice mails. I left Tessa, Dhisana and Lily unfed because their real people were due home at 5:30 yesterday evening. At 7 p.m., I'm listening to my voice mail, and hear their owner say, "Guess what? I have wonderful news! We were able to change our return tickets, so we won't be back until 9 p.m. on Tuesday." Luckily, Camilla (who rents the basement apartment) was willing to feed and care for the critters last night. I slept in my own bed, and spent today with T,D and L. My kits were wild to get out when I arrived home a few minutes ago - Camilla is caring for the critters again tonight; but I'll be back over there in the morning... The Gators and Gamecocks won yesterday, and the Broncos won today - the Saints are playing now, and the Packers play later.

  There was a wildfire near Carter Lake, a little to the north of us on Friday; and with the dry spell and the winds we've been having, the Fern Lake wildfire in Rocky Mountain National Park has flared up again. It's producing a good amount of smoke now, and has burned over 1.8 square miles of forest and brush. ... The National Western Stock Show had been making noises about leaving Denver and moving to new facilities in Aurora, but Denver and the Stock Show folks have agreed to another 10-year lease of the Stock Show grounds. ... Shackleford, the 4-year-old chestnut colt who won last year's Preakness, finished his racing career with a win in the Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs. He led from the gate to the wire, winning the 1 mile and 1/8 race by a length. He'll stand at Darby Dan Farm for $20,000 beginning in January. .... In a battle between Triple Crown winners, Gentildonna became the first 3-year-old filly to win the Japan Cup (Jpn-I) when she took on favored Orfevre in a furious stretch duel and edged the older colt by a nose Nov. 25 at Tokyo Racecourse. Gentildonna was coming off a successful Japanese filly triple crown series this year, while Orfevre won the Japanese Triple Crown in 2011 and is the reigning Horse of the Year in that country. The stretch run was not without controversy. Gentildonna had to squeeze through on the rail inside of Tosen Jordan and then angle outside of leader Beat Black. In maneuvering the filly around those two tiring horses, jockey Yasunari Iwata, using a left-handed whip, caused Gentildonna to make contact with Orfevre, who was racing to the filly's outside. The incident prompted an inquiry lasting about 15 minutes, and the stewards ultimately let the order of finish stand. However, they suspended Iwata two days for careless riding. The jockey will have to serve them Dec. 1-2, keeping him out of the Dec. 2 Japan Cup Dirt (Jpn-I).

  My sister and brother-in-law are expecting the excavation team to arrive tomorrow; they have to replace their septic system (it's been in use since 1955). So, since I'm five doors down the street, I've told them to feel free to visit me through Tuesday evening - and to bring Mona and Boo over to run in the back yard. That's where I'll take Rosie and Remy for the next two days (making sure I don't let Lily or Dhisana outside), and Tessa loves to have someone to play with. Both Mona and Boo behave with cats, while the Rs do not... Our high temperature today was 63, and our high tomorrow is forecast as 43, with snow flurries in the afternoon. Then we're supposed to be clear and dry for the rest of the week. Some of the ski resorts are only open on the weekend, and are using man-made snow; but a few high up on the western slope have a good base and are now open every day...

Critters

Three-year-old Fennec fox

 

Grey squirrel in Kensington Gardens

 

Mule deer buck at NCAR in Boulder, Colorado

 

HRH Prince Charles and Lady Camilla with koala bears in Adelaide, Australia

 

Gator GameDay!

The forecast for today was sunny with a high in the mid-60s, and gusty winds most of the day. There was just the slightest peek of the sun at the far edge of the eastern horizon at dawn this morning; and we're still under a thick cloud cover. I've taken care of the Thore critters, Ooch, and the Clark kitties. After doing so tonight, I'll get to sleep here at home with Nedi and Lovey. Tomorrow morning, I'll see the Clark kitties, and then Ooch, then come back home.

  When I got home this morning, I had a message from the Thore neighbor's - they can hear the water pump in the koi pond whinging and clanking. I'll have to pull up the filer, clean it out, and put some more water into the pond to keep it quiet. Thank goodness Ms.Thore returns home tonight. And I have to leave her a not-too-subtle reminder that she didn't pay me before she left, as she claimed she was going to do.... At least both of the college I want to see today are televised- Gators on ABC and the Gamecocks on ESPN, and the pro games I want to see tomorrow are available to me on the NFL network.

  I hope your weekend is a good one!

Seen in Peru

Lima, Peru

 

The Peruvian coast

 

A llama before the impressive ruins of Machu Picchu

The Family Thanksgiving...

We had a very nice Thanksgiving get-together; 25 of the 63 we invited came - some couldn't get away, and Grandma Anne is suffering from severe bronchitis, so she stayed up on Sugarloaf Mountain. Some of the younger married couples have already split up since last year and are getting divorced. I spent most of my time with Edna, one of the sisters-in-law's mother. Edna is 78 and has an attention span of less than 90 seconds, so I was worn out by the time the feast was finished. But we had all the normal Thanksgiving dishes, except yams. Sister Kathy cooked the yams with pineapple rings and a little bit of brown sugar, and placed the large pan on top of the range to cool. Something slipped in one of the cabinets, the cabinet door popped open, and a brown glass bowl fell out onto the counter stop beside the range. The bowl shattered. Most of the fragments went into the yams. Luckily, the glass shards didn't cut any person or the two dogs - but the yams were a mess, so they were unceremoniously dumped into a trash bag and into the trash can. Jim, my brother-in-law, was going to "look through" the dish and remove any glass he found, but Kathy and son Mike were able to over-rule him. We had one table of gluten-free snacks and appetizers; and another table of gluten-free main dishes. Then was another larger table with all the goodies that contained gluten. My two fruit and berry platters and the corn pudding was gluten-free, but my brownies were on the other table. I brought home one brownie and a little of the fruit - nothing else....

   There were cheese and crackers, chips and dips, the fruit platters (seedless green and black grapes and pomegranate-infused craisins; and berries: raspberries, blackberries, blueberries and strawberries); a 28-pound turkey, with gravy and two kinds of stuffing; a 15-pound ham; mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, stuffed mushrooms, corn pudding, corn bread and orange rolls; and then brownies, white chocolate walnut fudge, apple pie, pecan pie, pumpkin pie and whipped cream. That's not mentioning the coffee, tea, mulled hot cider, sparkling apple juice, sodas and water that we also had in abundance... Since we were at the Grange building, alcoholic drinks were not allowed - otherwise there would have been wine and beer, too. I walked with brother-in-law Dave over to his house and brought back a couple of floor lamps for more lighting; and was able to view the new gazebo he built last month, and was able to meet the new dog - a pale golden guy with what looks like white wings on his shoulders. His name is Gabriel, and he's part dachshund (and, I think, Corgi); 10 months old and a package of bouncing, active pup.

   My kits were upset with me yesterday because I wouldn't let them out to play. They've been out for 2 hours now, and both have come back inside asking for love. I can't wait to sleep and snuggle with them again. - Today is the last CU home football game for this season (poor guys have won only 1 game so far). I didn't get to see any of the pro football games yesterday, but I've looked at the scores. I was happy to see that the Lions and Redskins were winners. I blew a raspberry at the monitor when I read that the Patriots and defeated the Jets... Tomorrow I'll be cheering for the Gators and the Gamecocks.

   I hope that your Thanksgiving was wonderful, and that this weekend will be even better!

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!

The First Thansgiving painted by J L G Ferris in 1915

 

A modern Thanksgiving table

 

For non-traditionalists: a Thanksgiving pizza

 

One of my ancestors? Possibly Hatevil Hall?

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Scotland Scenes

The Craw Stane  (circa 500 AD) near Rhynie, Scotland

 

Red deer at Glen Etive, Scotland

 

A Scottish Lighthouse

 

Entrance to Taymouth Castle, Scotland

 

Wacky Wednesday

All I have to shop for today is the fresh fruit for the platter, and Sprouts has all of their berries on sale, so I'm in good shape. I'll need to make the corn pudding and brownies tonight, as well as bake my own pumpkin pie; tomorrow I'll only need to wash, dry, and arrange the fruits and berries for the platter. Kathy and Jim will pick me up and take me out to Niwot - when I get back, though, I'll need to take care of the Thore critters, then Ooch, and then Sasquatch and Tugger. So I'll get to bed a little later than usual... Then I'll be caring for them all twice a day through Sunday night... But I get to return to my own bed on Saturday night, so the kits and I will get to re-unite again. There's been no recent sighting of the black bear, so I hope it has gone back into the mountains.

  Rosie and Remy, and Mona and Boo were great this morning - at least I don't have muddy paw prints all over me like the last few days. Did my laundry yesterday - and my tummy is still not normal, but I'm coping. Luckily I grabbed new library books, so I have six new reads to keep me busy... - Which makes me wonder how long it will be before my eight books arrive from the Mystery Guild. I joined, ordered and paid for the books a few weeks ago, so I might just have to contact them and ask what happened...

  If you are on, or near Chincoteague, or are interested in the ponies on Assateague, here's the latest release from the CVFC:

"Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company:

Happy Thanksgiving Friends!! Just wanted to let you all know that given the fact that the majority of ponies are up at the North End, we have put a few in the south corral for Thanksgiving week for everyone to see. They will be checked on daily and water and hay will be provided. Hope everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving!!"

   And, speaking of equines, Zenyatta's half-sister, Eblouissante made her racing debut this past weekend. She had never raced before, and made her debut as a three-year-old; she is a dark bay/brown like Zenyatta, and is tall and rangy like her half-sister. Eblouissante won her first race by 4 and 1/2 lengths and was pulling away at the wire; the filly, by Bernardini, is trained by John Shirreffs. Normally, race horses are known by their sire and dam. But here's a thought: Zenyatta and Eblouissante have the same mother, but different sires. Zenyatta's soon-to-be-a-yearling colt and Eblouissante have the same sire, Bernardini. It's normal in horse racing - but would be truly weird in humans....

Here and There II

The Seven Pillars, near Peru, Indiana

 

Trawlers tied up at Chincoteague Island

 

Approaching Eilean Donan Castle in Scotland

 

Riding in Argentina

 

Dog versus Dog

My tummy is still in an uproar, but, otherwise, I'm OK. The kits have been very loving here at home, and at the Thore house. Rosie and Remy have been doing very well on their walks, as has Tessa. No recent sighting of the bear in our neighborhood, but we have had a nasty incident. Sunset is now before 5 p.m. One of the neighbors, Sarah, was walking her Bichon Friese (Jackson) on his leash at 7 p.m. A man in running shorts and wearing a baseball cap had his dog out for a walk, also on a leash. Sarah states the dogs approached one another, and the man stated that his dog was fine with other dogs. Sarah says the dog was about the size of a Collie, with longish golden brown fur; the dog's nose wasn't quite as pointed as a normal Collie's is, but not as short and broad as a Retriever or Lab. The man's dog attacked Jackson. He called the dog "Lucy" several times as he tried to pull her off Jackson. As soon as Jackson was released, he started to leave, and Sarah asked him who he was, and where he lived. The man replied that it was none of her business; his dog was on a leash; he wasn't responsible for anything; and then he left at a run with Lucy at his side. Jackson spent 6 hours in surgery, having perforated intestines. All of the neighbors are now keeping their eyes open in hopes of identifying this man and his dog. - So, even if both dogs are on a leash, the worst scenario can still occur.... Please keep your pet safe!

Here and There

A fall dawn

 

Beach at Ducie Atoll, Pitcairn Island

 

An unusual house in Japan

 

A fall sunset on Chincoteague Bay

 

A Grey Monday

Apologies to you canines, but I was sick as a dog yesterday evening and last night - started out as a headache, changed to a tummy ache, and then went into 18 hours of vomiting and diarrhea. Yuck. But I took care of the Thore critters, and asked my sister to care for Ooch, next door. It's nearly noon now and I have taken care of Ooch, walked and fed Rosie and Remy, walked and fed Tessa, fed Dhisana and Lily and allowed them outside to play for a couple of hours; now I'm home with Lovey and Nedi trotting in and out. The weather forecast has it wrong for today - it says "sunny", but it looks like it's dusk outside. There is a small patch of blue visible to the far south, and a tiny slice of blue west of the mountains; otherwise, it's grey with a huge cloud layer above us. I was able to see the first halves of the Jets and the Redskins game yesterday - then I got sick, and didn't see anything at all. I haven't even turned on the TV today. No new word on the bear, so I'll just sign off quickly. Have a good week! If you're travelling, please do so carefully!

Critters and "Stranded"

A blue tit in England

 

A young squirrel in Clemson, South Carolina

 

A crow going after a hazel nut

 

La Digue Island, off northern Brazil

 

Sunday

The kits were very happy to see me this morning - fresh can of food plus fresh crunchies plus loving hands.... I took care of Ooch about 7 this morning; having given Tessa, Dhisana and Lily their breakfast at 6:30.   I had homemade huckleberry pancakes for breakfast. Read the newspaper, walked Tessa. Have the TV set so I can switch between the Redskins-Eagles game and the Jets-Rams with one click. I enjoyed the football games yesterday. Got enjoyment from watching the Gamecocks win; had to follow the Gator game via the scoreboard.... Had a blast watching Stanford upset Oregon and Baylor take out Kansas State... Doesn't that mean that Notre Dame is the only undefeated team this season?

  I had ten more people request to be added to the Wildlife Watch newsletter yesterday afternoon and this morning... I'll soon be headed back to the Thore house, so I can watch the Broncos game; and then wander three doors down to have afternoon tea with Alexy and Lillian at 5 p.m. I'll probably watch the first part of the game tonight, but at 9:00, I'll switch over to PBS and watch Ken Burns' new show "The Dust Bowl."

  We have beautiful weather today - just above freezing at daybreak, 60 degrees outside now (nice and sunny), and about 40 by 8 p.m. We're expecting good weather through Wednesday, with Thanksgiving being cloudy and cooler (high of 55). I've checked out how to get to the Niwot Grange building, in case I have to drive; and I've double-checked my Corn Pudding recipe. It was also nice to see that King Soopers is having a good sale on fresh berries, so I won't have to spend everything on the fruit platter... Hope the rest of your weekend is enjoyable!

Seen in Mongolia

Scenic view in Mongolia

 

A 131-foot-high stainless steel (250 ton) statue of a mounted Genghis Khan stands outside of Tsonjin Boldog, Mongolia

 

Sunset in Mongolia

My Little Newsletter

A couple of years ago, when a coyote pack invaded the north Boulder neighborhood where I do most of my work, I started a tiny newsletter called Githens Acres Wildlife Watch. About 18 people expressed interest in receiving it - I just passed on news about who had spotted coyotes, when, and where they seemed to be heading. (There are 45 homes in the neighborhood.) Then we started having the mountain lions making kills in the neighborhood back yards. Now it's the killer black bear. In the past three days, my little neighborhood newsletter has jumped to over 100 subscribers... I know why there is the increase, but it just seems strange to me - especially since I live 3 miles to the south across from the CU football stadium. But I do spend a lot of time there; this week I'll be there 21 out of every 24 hours, and I'll be walking dogs and talking to neighbors, as usual. I think what really strikes me funny is that folks that live at an extreme distance from the neighborhood want to have the news and updates. I know for a fact that the mountain lions and bears have a wide range - but it seems odd that other neighborhoods haven't put together a newsletter resource on the appearance and limited tracking of the wildlife that causes a disturbance.

  Anyway... I'm staying with Tessa, Lily, and Dhisana at the moment; doing extra care for Rosie and Remy; feeding and medicating Ooch (the 22-year-old cat); and on Wednesday, I add feeding and medicating Sasquatch and Tugger to my list. That's not to mention coming home and spending 3 hours with Lovey and Nedi each day. Both kits are lying in the sun right now - Nedi is stretched out on the edge of the patio and Lovey is in the cat tree in the sun. Earlier this week, I cut one of my large pumpkins in half and placed it on the patio - every day I add unsalted peanuts and shredded wheat to the interiors, and the squirrels can have their choice of nut, grain, or veggie to eat. Nedi is currently lying between the two pumpkin halves, and is keeping a close eye on the squirrels - but he's not chasing them away, he's just watching them eat. Lovey is just soaking up sun rays, period.

  The UF - Jacksonville State game isn't going to be televised here, but I'll watch the South Carolina game. The CU Buffs have a home game today - the town is packed with fans, and I'll need to leave the apartment soon to get away from the crowd. Poor Buffs! I think they have one win so far this year... Tomorrow at 5, I'm having tea with my friends Alexy and Lillian, so I'll miss the end of the Broncos game, but one of the local stations will re-play the game, so I can see if I've missed anything. I need to see when the Jets are playing tomorrow - I think I'll be switching back and forth between the Redskins and Jets earlier in the day here....

Black Bear Kills Pet Goat

Wednesday night at 9:30, the owners of a house at the corner of Quince Avenue and 19th Streets heard an unusual noise in their back yard. They have an 8-foot high solid wood privacy fence surrounding their back yard, and the gates were locked. They had locked their two pygmy goats inside their shed for the night, as soon as dusk fell. The man opened the back door and looked out with a flashlight - he saw a 200-pound black bear with a dead and bloody black goat in its mouth. He went back inside, called 911, and went back out. The bear tried to climb a tree, carrying its prey; it didn't succeed, so stood at the foot of the tree eating Charm, a 13-month old goat. When police, deputies, and the Department of Wildlife arrived, the bear scaled the fence and ran in a westerly direction. It left the remains of the goat. A search commenced, but the bear was not spotted. DoW set up a trap and baited it with the goat carcass, but the bear has not returned.

Meanwhile, in the neighborhood two streets to the east, where I do the majority of my pet-sitting, a bear attacked and destroyed several wrought iron shepherds hooks that had multiple bird feeders attached. The bird feeders were smashed, and all the seed and grains consumed. The bear also opened the trash can at that house, and took a 30-gallon bag of trash out - eating what it chose. At 1 a.m., the bear was visiting my sister and brother-in-law's house - there was no trash there, but there was a completely full 75 gallon compost bin. The bin was turned upside down and all the contents removed, while the dogs went ballistic inside the house. Yesterday afternoon, about 2 p.m., one of the Chandler boys stepped out into his front lawn and reappeared inside, yelling , "Bear!" at his parents. The adults ran to see the bear, and it ran south, crossing Emerald and into Leslie's yard, where it proceeded around and through trees and bushes and ended up on the paved track for Centennial Middle School... It disappeared from there.... Here is a photo of the bear crossing Leslie's yard:

 

DoW is trying to capture and/or kill this bear.  They say once a bear kills and acquires the taste for meat and blood, it cannot be rehabilitated....