Words of Wisdom

If you happen to be of the male species just change woman to man since it could apply to both.

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...

One friend who always makes her laugh... And one who lets her cry...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...

A good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE

Eight matching plates,wine glasses with stems, and a recipe for a meal that will make her guests feel honored.

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...

A feeling of control over her destiny...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

How to fall in love without losing herself...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

How to quit a job; break up with a lover, and confront a friend without ruining the friendship...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

When to try harder ... and when to walk away...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

That she can't change the length of her calves, the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

That her childhood may not have been perfect..but; it's over...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

What she would and wouldn't do for love or more...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

How to live alone... even if she doesn't like it.

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

Whom she can trust, whom she can't, And why she shouldn't take it personally.

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

Where to go... be it to her best friend's kitchen table, or a charming inn in the woods...when her soul needs soothing..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

What she can and can't accomplish in a day... a month...and a year...

Riddle of the Day

You are on a horse, galloping at a constant speed. On your right side is a sharp drop off, and on your left side is an elephant traveling at the same speed as you. Directly in front of you is a galloping kangaroo and your horse is unable to overtake it. Behind you is a lion running at the same speed as you and the Kangaroo. What must you do to safely get out of this highly dangerous situation?

See answer below.

















Get off the merry-go-round

A Back to Basics Kind of Guy Don't You Think?

TO THOSE OF YOU NOT FAMILIAR WITH JOE ARPAIO HE IS THE MARICOPA ARIZONA COUNTY SHERIFF AND HE KEEPS GETTING ELECTED OVER AND OVER:

Could these be some of the reasons why?

Sheriff Joe Arpaio (in Arizona) created the "tent city jail": He has jail meals down to 40 cents a serving and charges the inmates for them. He stopped smoking and porno magazines in the jails. Took away their weights. Cut off all but "G" movies.He started chain gangs so the inmates could do free work on county and city projects. Then he started chain gangs for women so he wouldn't get sued for discrimination.

He took away cable TV ! until he found out there was a federal court order that required cable TV for jails. So he hooked up the cable TV again only let in the Disney channel and the weather channel. When asked why the weather channel he replied, so they will know how hot it's gonna be while they are working on my chain gangs.

He cut off coffee since it has zero nutritional value.When the inmates complained, he told them, "This isn't the Ritz/Carlton. If you don't like it, don't come back."

He bought Newt Gingrich' lecture series on videotape that he pipes into the jails.When asked by a reporter if he had any lecture series by a Democrat, he replied that a democratic lecture series might explain why a lot of the inmates were in his jails in the first place.

More on the Arizona Sheriff: With temperatures being even hotter than usual in Phoenix (116 degrees just set a new record), the Associated Press reports: About 2,000 inmates living in a barbed-wire-surrounded tent encampment at the Maricopa County Jail have been given permission to strip down to their government-issued pink boxer shorts. On Wednesday, hundreds of men wearing boxers were either curled up on their bunk beds or chatted in the tents, which reached 138 degrees inside the week before. Many were also swathed in wet, pink towels as sweat collected on their chests and dripped down to their pink socks. "It feels like we are in a furnace," said James Zanzot, an inmate who has lived in the tents for 1 year . "It's inhumane."

Joe Arpaio who long ago started making his prisoners wear pink, and eat bologna sandwiches, is not one bit sympathetic. He said Wednesday that he told all of the inmates: "It's 120 degrees in Iraq and our soldiers are living in tents too, and they have to wear full battle gear, but they didn't commit any crimes, so shut your damned mouths!"

Way to go, Sheriff! Maybe if all prisons were like this one there would be a lot less crime and/or repeat offenders. Criminals should be punished for their crimes - not live in luxury until it's time for their parole, only to go out and commit another crime so they can get back in to live on taxpayers money and enjoy things taxpayers can't afford to have for themselves.

Sheriff Joe was just reelected Sheriff in Maricopa County, Arizona.

The Computer Swallowed Grammy

The computer swallowed Grammy
Yes, honestly it’s true.
She pressed 'control' and 'enter'
And disappeared from view.

It devoured her completely;
The thought just makes me squirm.
She must have caught a virus
or been eaten by a worm.

I've searched through the recycle bin
and files of every kind;
I've even used the Internet,
But nothing did I find.

In desperation, I asked Jeeves
My searches to refine.
The reply from him was negative,
not a thing was found 'online.'

So, if inside your 'Inbox,'
My Grammy you should see,
Please 'Copy,’ Scan' and 'Paste' her
and send her back to me

AAAAH the good old days!!

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED the 1930's 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's !!

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant. They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes.

Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-based paints.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when werode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking. As infants & children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, booster seats, seat belts or air bags.Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.

We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle. We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this. We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank koolade made with sugar, but we weren't overweight because , WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING ! We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on. No one was able to reach us all day,And we were O.K.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride downthe hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.

We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CD's, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet or chat rooms....... WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents. We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.

We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays,made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes.We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!

Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!

These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever! The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas. We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL! If YOU are one of them . . CONGRATULATIONS!

Mind Boggles

Thought you might find these interesting.

DORMITORY:
When you rearrange the letters:
DIRTY ROOM
----------------------------------------
PRESBYTERIAN:
When you rearrange the letters:
BEST IN PRAYER
----------------------------------------
ASTRONOMER:
When you rearrange the letters:
MOON STARER
----------------------------------------
DESPERATION:
When you rearrange the letters:
A ROPE ENDS IT
----------------------------------------
THE EYES:
When you rearrange the letters:
THEY SEE
----------------------------------------
GEORGE BUSH:
When you rearrange the letters:
HE BUGS GORE
----------------------------------------
THE MORSE CODE :
When you rearrange the letters:
HERE COME DOTS
- ---------------------------------------
SLOT MACHINES:
When you rearrange the letters:
CASH LOST IN ME
----------------------------------------
ANIMOSITY:
When you rearrange the letters:
IS NO AMITY
----------------------------------------
ELECTION RESULTS:
When you rearrange the letters:
LIES - LET'S RECOUNT
----------------------------------------
SNOOZE ALARMS:
When you rearrange the letters:
ALAS! NO MORE Z 'S
----------------------------------------
A DECIMAL POINT:
When you rearrange the letters:
IM A DOT IN PLACE
----------------------------------------
THE EARTHQUAKES:
When you rearrange the letters:
THAT QUEER SHAKE
----------------------------------------
ELEVEN PLUS TWO:
When you rearrange the letters:
TWELVE PLUS ONE
-------------------------------- - -------
AND FOR THE GRAND FINALE:
MOTHER-IN-LAW:
When you rearrange the letters:
WOMAN HITLER
----------------------------------------
Yep! Someone with waaaaaaaaaaay
too much time on their hands! (Probably a son-in-law)

Madder than a wet hen

Well, they did it! I really didn't think they would have the nerve to demote Pluto. I may never look at the planets again. I can assure you that Pluto is NOT a dwarf planet to me. I am mad, so damned mad that I could bite a penny nail in half. Just because Pluto was so slow that he had not completed his orbit since his discovery in 1930, the powers that be decided that he was not to be called a planet but a dwarf planet. Mr. Tombaugh would be very sad today. Especially since this is the only planet that was discovered by someone in our country. The finishing touch was the comment that "its not personal, its just business" well I certainly took it personal. Evidently a precious few made this monumental decision as out of the 2,500 astronomers attending the meeting, only 300 actually showed up to vote.

I would like to suggest that when these 300 astronomers slow down to the point that they can no longer perform as a "celestrial vacuum" that their title be changed to "dwarf astronomer".

I shall not address this subject again. Arent' you proud?

Miracles never Cease

In a past blog, I mentioned our cub was playing softball. Well I have an update on this situation. The team had only practiced for three days and remember most of these kids have played for two or three years while our cub had never picked up a bat. Anyway, we drove to the ballpark in a small town close and got our lawn chairs out and fortunately found a small shade under a tree next to the dugout. The team played two games and our cub played the last game. She went out into left field and the anxious parents were praying that the ball went anywhere except left field. Sure enough we were lucky in that respect. Then up to the plate walking proudly was our cub. Our mouths fell open when she positioned herself as a left handed batter. No she isn't left handed. We were already bracing for her to have a less than ideal experience with her first bat and added to that she was batting left handed. The first ball she swung and missed and here comes the second pitch. She swings the bat and hits the ball and knocks the winning run in. Needless to say we were in total shock. On the way home after congratulating her on her "good game and hit" we asked her why she batted left handed. She stated, "my favorite ball player (Mark Tiexiera, Texas Rangers, remember she was in his fan club last year and met him) bats left handed so I decided to bat left handed also. " We were speechless and must have sat there with our mouths gaping open for at least 10 minutes.

She is already excited about the two games this next week. We are keeping our mouths shut as to giving any advice about which side of the base to hit from as we feel that will work itself out.

Stay tuned to find out what happens next!

"Don't Mess with Mother Nature"

I am on my soap box again! One of my pet peeves is how the terminology keeps changing for instance, in the "olden" days when somebody stole money they were called a thief. Now for some reason its been changed to an embezzler i.e. A Planet is a planet not a pluton. Webster defines a pluton as any body of igneous rock that solidified FAR BELOW the earth's surface. The only connection is that is was named after Pluto.

Well they have gone to far now that they are messing with the planets!! It seems the leading astronomers have decided to relabel some of our planets and at the same time to redefine others as set forth in a draft resolution to be presented to the International Astronomical Union (the arbiter of what is and what isn't a planet) . The new planetary lineup would include 2003 UB313 (nicknamed Xena), farthest-known object in the solar system; Pluto's largest moon, Charon; the asteroid Ceres, which was considered a planet in the 1800s.

The panel has proposed a new category of planets called "plutons", referring to Pluto-like objects in the Kuiper Belt, a disc-shaped zone beyond Neptune containing thousands of comets and planetary objects. Pluto itself and two of the potential newcomers Charon and 2003 UB313 would be plutons.

Would this mean all of our school books used to teach astronomy would then be outdated?

I am going on record this minute and telling Pluto not to worry, he will always be a planet to me!!

Bright Eyes may have to re-learn astrology to know what to call each of these new fangled objects.

Hot, Tired, Hungry and Sore

Yep, that pretty much covers the condition of the cub when she came home from her first day of Junior High and her first day of softball practice. After she hit the showers, our ears were kept busy hearing all about the day. In spite of two large bruises on her leg (that caught the ball for her) she seemed to really enjoy playing ball.

The sibling and spouse had a wonderful fishing trip and caught their limit of strippers in a pretty short time. I think they are ready to go again but want us to go next time. We are agreeable to that if we can work it in.

When I heard this strange but familiar large noise last night, I emerged from the cave to investigate. Sure enough, it was thunder. It had been so long!! I think it was just a teaser though since we just got a little more than a sprinkle. However, we are encouraged that it has found us again.

The energizer bunny is not real happy at daycare. It seems she misses her Grammy. Since Grammy is on the list of people that can take her out of the center, Grammy is plotting. She is going to do just that on Thursday after her doctor's appt and she and the cubette will get into all kinds of mischief.

Well, I am off to town to finish shopping for school supplies and athletic items that the cub needs. Do you think I would win any prizes for making Medicare and PTA at the same time? Just my luck though with the number of grandparents raising their grandchildren these days that I would not be the first. Oh well just a thought!! Have to get my claim to fame somewhere else I guess. Be kind

First Day of Alone Time - I meant School -

Even though I love this cub dearly and she is very low maintenance, I have to admit that it is wonderful to be all alone in this house except for Casper and he doesn't talk (yet). It is so overwhelming that I can't decide what to do or not do first. Do I sound delirious? I plead guilty. She was a mighty proud little cub this morning in her South Pole jeans, new shoes, shirt and of all things wearing makeup. This is her first day of Junior High and how excited she is.

Older sibling and her spouse are out on the lake stripper fishing today. The man that videos their cattle gave them a night in a motel and a fishing trip today with a guide. They deserve it, those two are simply amazing at how they persevere.

Well, I am off to the coffee pot for more caffeine and have decided that making the bed, doing laundry and anything else can wait while I play a few games of Euchre. Be happy

Lazy Weekend

We had a wonderful weekend. Don't have lots of material accomplishments to show for it but did have lots of good family times. Older sibling and spouse came by and we all went out to eat at our favorite place (Golden Corral) Saturday night.

Then later, one cub brought his spouse and little one over to swim and we sure enjoyed getting to spend time with little Grace Kelly. She is so unique.

Believe it or not, we finally watched a movie. We saw "Flight Plan" with Jodie Foster and I would highly recommend it. I didn't even get up once and wander around doing something else. It does indeed take some strange twists. We have had the movie since last winter and just had not taken the time to watch it.

Our girl cub invited her older sibling (19 years old) over to swim, eat hamburgers and then they watched "Flight Plan" on Sunday night. We encourage her to stay in touch with her bio siblings.

Casper is gone to the beauty shop today. Hopefully, he will get a haircut, nails trimmed etc.

Our Energizer bunny is going to a regular day care now that her Mom has changed jobs and works eight hours a day, five days a week. Grammy can't keep up with the little one that long. She got really mad this past Friday. It seems a little boy bit her. When her Mom came to pick her up, she said, "Mommie, I cried today at the daycare, cause I got bit". It didn't break the skin but Mother and Child were both traumatized I think.

Our cub starts school tomorrow and has her first softball practice immediately after school. Their first game is Friday and that should be very interesting since some of these kids have never played before.

I won't be bored being left "ALL ALONE" (yippee) since I have cds to catch up on and many games of Euchre to win. Nap time - see you -

Where's the Summer Gone?

I find myself asking that question often but still have not gotten an acceptable answer.

The Cub and I had a wonderful day yesterday. First the doctors for the athletic physical and acne medication check and then on to buy school clothes and supplies. We really had fun and got everything she needed. Even some stuff she didn't (makeup). I had promised that when she got in Junior High that she could start wearing powder (lightly) and also a light shade of lipstick so on to Merle Norman we went where she picked out what was appropriate for her age. How excited she was and never a problem with the "older" shades of makeup. Staples provided us with all the needed school supplies. Might have saved a penny or two at Wally World but couldn't face the pushing and shoving going on there this time of year. We hit a really big sale at Stage and ended up with over $300 in clothes and shoes for $200. We get a very small adoption stipend each month and while it is not very much, by watching carefully it covers her expenses ie school clothes, school lunches, school project costs etc. I opened an account in her name and the stipend goes into it and that makes it easy to keep track of the amount spent.

After we finished, I suggested we go out for lunch. She said, "Mom, know you are tired, lets go home and I will fix you lunch". That is what we did. On the way home we were talking about when she got grown and got her own house etc. She was quiet for a minute and then said, "Mom, I am going to be a foster parent like you and Dad and then adopt because there are so many kids without homes". Needless to say, tears were close!

Well enough of that, I am getting ready for my nap - see you -

The White Flag is Waving

Marbella's alter ego has taken over today. She has stated that she doesn't give a hoot about being politically correct, slim and trim as a teenager, having the reputation of being a good housekeeper or the best cook around. Instead she is going to indulge herself this week with chocolates, sodas, playing on Pogo and whatever else suits her fancy. Sometimes when something comes out of the closet it is hard to get it back in.

She can be quite ugly at times. For instance she boasted to M. that she remembered her 10th birthday. She was at her uncle's house and she and her family had picked cotton all day. Her uncle decided he wanted her to have a birthday cake so he went to town and bought her a white cake with coconut frosting and a yellow t-shirt with superman on the front.

Next she bragged about how many lbs of cotton she picked a day. Then she asked M. what she did with her first paycheck from the cotton and when M. told her she bought a black taffeta skirt, a green gathered skirt for school and a red pair of Indian moccasins for her little 3 year old sister she thought M. was lying. Nobody would spend their hard earned money that way.

Alter Egos can be a real pain in the neck. This one caused Marbella a lot of trouble when Marbella had her first out of body experience. This happened when Marbella first become ill and was in tremendous pain. Marbella was experiencing some relief with the out of body method but all of a sudden the alter ego decides to stay out of the body permanently and boy you talk about the fight that ensued.

Anyway, thus the reason for the title, Marbella is waving the white flag for the day and giving the alter ego free rein. This could be quite an ordeal. Only time will tell.

Laziness Could Become a Habit

Over the past several days, we have been exploring different character traits (or lack thereof). Now I haven't seen one on laziness so maybe some wise cub will address this. All my life I have been warned about "idle hands". Well I am confessing that they must not be all bad because for the past two days I have done nothing but eat, sleep, play on computer and of course see to nature's business. I am here to tell you that it ain't half bad! Matter of fact, it has felt down right delicious. I could get use to this real fast. It took three naps yesterday to get me through the day, hee hee.

The Alien hasn't been so blessed. He spent a few hours yesterday helping a friend with plumbing problems. He is gone now to give water to the turtles his boss collects. The boss is out playing somewhere. I encourage him by reminding him of the "idle hands" theory. The looks I receive as I spout all this good advice (while sitting in my chair eating chocolates one cub brought) are good warning signals, they are like a blinking red light. I better stop!!!!

Next week is pretty well planned. I am taking Monday off since it is a holiday in Canada and just in case I have some Canadian heritage somewhere along the line, I sure want to be respectful. Especially since it is a "Civic Holiday". Tuesday, the cub enrolls in school much to her chagrin. She tries to get me to home school but she really does not know how fortunate she is that I will not do that!! Wednesday, the cub goes to the doctor for a checkup. Then Thursday, we go shopping for school clothes. I probably have all this backwards. I should take her shopping first and then if I don't wring her neck we will do the rest of the stuff. She is happiest when looking like a rag muffin with hair pulled severely back and tied up. No way, I waited too long for a girl to dress. Like it or not, she will be dressed as fashionable as her peers!!!!! Not sure just when school starts but must confess that I am "almost" ready. Although to the cub's credit, she is probably one of the lowest maintenance critters you could have.

The Alien and I entertained ourselves several hours last night looking up cruises. Knowing full well that we will probably never take one, it was still fun. The cost is probably not as prohibitive a factor as leaving our little fur ball.

My Rangers are getting ready to play ball and they would be deeply hurt if I am not in my favorite chair watching and cheering them on and yelling at the umpires.

Meet you here on another day - thanks for the visit -

EXCUSES - EXCUSES - EXCUSES - EXCUSES

MY PHILOSOPHY OF HOUSECLEANING!

I don't do windows because ... I love birds and don't want one to run into a clean window and get hurt.

I don't wax floors because ... I am terrified a guest will slip and get hurt then I'll feel terrible( plus they may sue me.)

I don't mind the dust bunnies because ... They are very good company, I have named most of them, and they agree with everything I say.

I don't disturb cobwebs because ... I want every creature to have a home of their own.

I don't Spring Clean because . I love all the seasons and don't want the others to get jealous.

I don't pull weeds in the garden because .. I don't want to get in God's way, HE is an excellent designer!

I don't put things away because ... My husband will never be able to find them again.

I don't do gourmet meals when I entertain because . I don't want my guests to stress out over what to make when they invite me over for dinner.

I don't iron because ... I choose to believe them when they say "Permanent Press".

I don't stress much on anything because ..... "A Type" personalities die young and I want to stick around and become a wrinkled up crusty ol' woman!!!!

Today is the day for a good laugh! I thought this might be a good "provoker" - Have a fun day

Knowledge vs Wisdom

Do you ponder the difference between knowledge and wisdom? I have for many years. I remember hearing my Dad say, "He is an educated fool" and thinking how can that be. In my young years, I thought if you were educated that meant you are wise. As in lots of areas of my life, I have found that to be inaccurate. While some who seek knowledge will awaken wisdom in their search others will become the "educated fool".

Karen Follett states that we read to gain knowledge but we have to seek wisdom.

However, I find Ardriana Cahill's rendition somewhat more suited to my taste. So with that in mind I will use some of her writings mixed with my own conclusions.

Knowledge is but the messenger that calls us to wisdom, but it is not wisdom. Knowledge puts us in the way of wisdom, but wisdom is experiential; it is a truth one recognizes in the external world that already exists in the internal one. One doesn't "learn" wisdom, one must awaken it. Knowledge gives us the tools but we must never mistake the tools for the treasure. Unfortunately there are no fast-food outlets for wisdom.

Knowledge is intellectual - wisdom is divine. The more you seek knowledge (all knowledge) the more wisdom you will experience (hopefully).

Supposedly knowledge and wisdom use two completely different organs to communicate with us. One is known the other felt. The divine speaks to us through spirit not the mind. Knowledge is only the doorway to wisdom.

Wisdom reveals itself to you - it does not explain itself- it reveals itself fully blown like manna from heaven. It awakens us with an all encompassing flood of warm illumination. This is why the sages call it enlightenment. Wisdom does not need digesting, deliberating, debating or dissecting by doubt or reason. It breathes within you as calm surety and perfect peace.

In summation, there is wisdom in Nature and knowledge in Scholarship. Nature teaches us what works and doesn't work. Knowledge teaches us how to use our senses, how to observe nature, how to evaluate, it, how to record life lessons and how others before us did the same. We first develop wisdom in life by experience, (usually painful experience) and then as we grow, we recognize wisdom in life by example. Through knowledge and wisdom, we eliminate fear. We begin to understand who we are and why we are here. We recognize with generosity, others stumbling while seeking their way and develop a keen awareness and love for the mirace that is all Life - and that includes oneself. Now for the hard part, hopefully we will have enough generosity to be loving and forgiving when others hurt us. Maybe instead of consuming energy being upset and hurt that we use that energy to seek more compassion and understanding. Easier said than done, right?

Home in the Clouds

No I don't mean heaven and will go even further - some days it might have been the home from the other direction. I will share just a few incidents that were new experiences for me and my cubs.

The first occurred the first ten days of residence there. One night our dog started barking and I went to the window and saw two guys walking from the ranger station down the drive to our home. Since there were forest fires going and I knew none of the patron's crew, I just figured they were reporting in to see if they were needed. About this time our dog stopped barking (guess you would to if you had just been hit in the head with a pistol) Another reason for me to think they were workers. It was about 10 pm so the cubs were in bed. I opened the door and since there was no storm or screen door they were right there in my face. Imagine my surprise when one said as he aimed the gun at me, "Just step back lady". I did but slammed the door in the process (right in their face). I swear to this day that my angel locked the door, anyway, I stood watching the knob turn but to no avail. I had gotten a pistol out of the hall closet and had it aimed straight at the door and surprisingly to me I was totally ready to use it if they had gotten the door open.

The next episode involved the cubs and a wounded bear. Now these cubs were "forest smart" and that is probably what saved them. We had been told to watch out for a wounded bear but never thought they meant in our back yard. Anyway, I am standing at the kitchen window looking out to check on the cubs and see them backing down the mountain and sure enough a few feet behind them is a bear. If they had started to run the bear would have caught them. Anyway, I yelled for their Dad to get his rifle and when he got outside with the gun, he stood on the picnic table and shot the bear. When the bear fell it landed on the retaining wall just a few feet from our back door.

One day the cubs were playing on the mountain behind the house and one of them came in with a hurt foot. If they had told me that they jumped off the roof of a summer home I would have known that there was the possibility of a broken foot!!! Anyway, several hours went by before we took the cub to the ER and sure enough his heel was broken.

Another occurrence happened during dinner one night when we had guests. All of a sudden our front door opened and in ran this hysterical lady carrying an unconscious baby that was already turning blue. She could not speak English. The Patron and his assistant immediately started CPR while I called the fire department to bring oxygen. We had to physically hold the lady while they revived the baby. Don't remember if we ever finished eating but the baby was okay.

About 2 am one morning our door bell rang and when I opened the door I encountered a very irate man with his wife and kids in the car behind him and they were all very angry and "vocal". He proceeded to tell me that he would never be back to camp again. It seems the bears had come into their tent while they were sleeping to get their food. Now there are very large signs up everywhere warning campers not to put food in their tents. Duh

Another day, this man came to the door covered in grease (he had been working on his car). He demanded the use of the bathroom to wash up. I showed him the ranger station and said they have a public restroom. He angrily stated, "This is a government house and I pay taxes" NOT a smart move on his part. I replied, "Yes and I pay rent, if you want your filthy hands washed go over to the station" and firmly shut the door.

During the winter months our back yard was covered so deep with snow that we could barely get out the back door. One of the cubs and I discovered a valuable use for that snow. It covered up items kicked out of the house like dryers that you have to kick to start. It didn't show the white mice either.

Well, I have borrowed your eyes long enough. Have a great day (if you want to).