The Christmas Bear

In recent news, a diabolical villain busted into Super Catman's creature making program file and surnamed all his creations "Artsy Fartsy". No terrorist group (or siblings) have taken credit for this crime.

Art Dog announced to me that he had an idea for making "the perfect Christmas gift". He is planning to "Brain tan" a weasel hide. "Who wouldn't want a brain tanned weasel hide?" he asked me............

Yesterday, Super Catman got his cavities fixed, sealant on, and is now all caught up with the dentist. He's now ready for next weeks orthodontist appointment. I am still amazed and thankful that his braces were approved. Art Dog got his teeth cleaned and checked but didn't have any cavities.

After that we ran a gazillion errands. I am amazed the boys were so patient. They even gallantly loaned me their spare dollars at the laundromat until I made it to the bank that day. Do you have any idea how embarrassing it is asking for dollars from your kids in front of the laundry service worker because you don't have ANY cash?!? There they were doleing out dollars to their disorganized mother - lol!! The same thing happened at the second hand store when I was $2 over my credit there. The most frustrating part of the whole thing was not that I looked like a horrible mother, but that I spent HOURS getting ready for the trip the day before. I had a box for the consignment store, 2 boxes to donate to the thrift store, movie returns to a friend, Christmas letters and wreaths for some of the nice clinic people, lists, mail, etc. etc.. I had even loaded some of the stuff into the transport truck the night before. Then I go looking like a chump scabbing dollars off my boys the next day in public. Oh the agony!! Well anyway, I did pay them back :-) Now that you have laughed sufficiently at my horrible confession, I will leave you will a recent work of art by Art Dog :

The Christmas Bear
One day in a land far, far away, there was a sleeping bear deep in his cave. Then something strange happened, just a hint in the air. Something so pleasant even a bear might care. Something in the air shook all his hair. So he huffed then he puffed. Then he stood up on hinds to sniff another whiff. Now it was clear, something was near. What he did not hear. He had to know so he headed off through the deep snow.
He then found a house, in it were colorful lights on a big bushy tree. Surely some event. Then he started to walk on, then something made that big old bear freeze in his tracks, he heard some one say Christmas! Surely this was it! He jumped for joy! How he knew we may never know. Every year on out he wakes up for Christmas. So he called him self "Christmas Bear".
Not only was he Christmas Bear. He was also "Santa Bear"! Every Christmas he tip toed into every bears den and left a present, on it would be a note that read; "Merry late Christmas". For Example "To: Pooh From Christmas Bear". To some he gave a picnic basket to others he gave honey and to others he gave books, but that is the story of Christmas Bear!

Adventures I Have Known

My Night In Shining Armour Shows Up To Clear The Way So I Could Get To Work

Sock Fashion Expert Worked Hard for this Non Typical Buck

i have had a lot of adventures lately. In fact, I'm getting backed up on sharing them. Tonight, its supposed to get to 20 below zero - record breaking coldness for this time of the year, and my men are out in the blackness up a mountain somewhere packing out Archers buck - ugh!!

Just getting to work the other day was a crazy adventure! The electricity was out probably due to the heavy snows. Its been out 5 or 6 times this week! I had to ready with a flashlight and an oil lantern. After my husband drove me down the drive way, I kissed him good bye and hoped for the best. Not far down the road I started seeing trees, heavy with snow drooping over the road. Then, all of a sudden a big bushy one was right in front of me and I couldn't stop! Breaks down, sliding forward I braced myself "Bamn!" went the truck with pine needles everywhere! I opened my eyes when I realized the truck was still moving. Some how I'd busted through it. It was almost as if I disappeared and reappeared on the other side. After taking some breaths and reasoning with myself, I had a look. A giant branch was protruding out of the deer guard. I pulled it free, hoping it hadn't punctured the radiator.

I drove over and under tree after tree until the ominous sign appeared. It was another big one across the road. I stopped this time and got out. It wouldn't budge. I shivered in the darkness. I would have to turn around.

The only house in the area was an elderly couple who have lived here forever. Well, that's almost true. The 80+ year old woodsman was born on his property and never left it except to fight in a war. It was home steaded by his father who was killed when he was mere boy. In a matter of minutes, I'd pulled into their drive and was banging on the door hoping he wouldn't meet me with a shot gun in hand. Relieved, I noticed he'd left it on the couch when he saw it was me. He let me in to use the phone. His wife pulled me into the kitchen near the stove, though it was more her feisty character that warmed me than anything else. Torn between my desire to hear her stories of yesteryear and knowing I was going to be late for work, I politely left and made my way back to the road to meet my husband who was coming with a chain saw. He was not impressed with the tree I'd smashed through nor with my camera for that matter and ordered it away. Almost effortlessly, with his powerful, muscular arms, he wielded the heavy chain saw. Within seconds he'd cut sections into the tree and was pulling it away. He didn't appear to be in a mood to be trifled with and I hurriedly got into my truck, thankful for his successful rescue mission. After the hour and a half drive there, and 12 hours at work, I made my way back up the same stretch of road only to notice that the power every where up there was out again.......
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The day before the heavy snows came, I decided I had better get out for one last good run. As I headed down the familiar stretch of road to do my 4 mile trek, I saw something cross the road in front of me. It was a monster 4x4 white tail! I looked at him. He stared back at me menacingly and crossed the road again. He wasn't acting afraid. I knew he must be in the rut. Keeping my hand close to my pistol, I jogged by hoping he wouldn't charge me. He kept his head down, watching me as I passed. I could feel his challenge and didn't want to provoke him. After I'd gotten by him, I breathed a sigh of relief. It was a short lived breath because I suddenly heard a car. "Why didn't you at least yell at him?!" I started nagging myself. Road hunters seem to be every where and I knew they wouldn't pass this beast up. I heard the car slowing. I knew his immanent demise couldn't be avoided. Now I had to make speed. He'd crossed the road twice already and there was no telling which direction the hunters would be shooting in. I'd seen all too many reckless hunters in my day and I knew better than to think I was safe. I ran hard willing myself on. I heard a noise. I kept running hard. Then, when I was beginning to wonder how much distance I'd gained, I heard a shot ringing out. Relief and sorrow hit me all at once.
Its not that I'm against hunting. If you've ever read my blog, you know that's how we live. Its more the inconsiderate, who come here, without respect for man or beast that I struggle with. Its the men who shot toward me year before last when I was driving on a parallel road. Their gun, pointed out the window toward a herd of deer crossing in front of the car I was driving. Its the hunters who left gut piles and bowel moments all over the road I live on. Its the men on 4 wheelers who broke down forest service gates this fall and littered beer bottles all over the trail. Its the inconsiderate who left a doe to rot last year. As a matter of fact, they leave deer to rot here EVERY YEAR. Then grizzlies come down to feed on what should have been harvested or left to live and endanger us. Its all of that that frustrates me.
After hitting my turn around point, I began running back, wondering how I should act toward the road hunters. It didn't take long to discover that they were gutting the white tail a few feet from a neighbors drive way and on his property as well. I reminded myself that its not wise to oppose strange men with guns. As I ran up, they tried to make some idle conversation. The older one proudly told me it was the younger ones first buck. I tried to act friendly. After a short conversation, I continued on quickly. Then I ran hard, wondering what I should do. I don't think the Washington men meant any harm. We all are glad for our meat supply. We're all proud when we get a good one. It was pointless to tell him he was gutting on private land. I had a hunch he would figure it out. I ran home, eventually deciding, like I usually do that there is no point in calling the game warden. Why be a jerk? Grace is always a good thing to give others because there are many times that I am on the receiving end. As long as I make it home safely, it was an Adventure right? Consequently, I did get some good sprints in.