Dear Reader Column 07-27-06

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Dear Reader,

Last year when we vacationed in the Smoky Mountains three wild turkeys visited us every morning. But this year, the wildlife had a different agenda, as it should be, after all they never signed up to entertain me on my vacation. For the first nine days of our vacation, the only visitors that showed up on our second-story deck were crows. Now I admit I'm usually the kind of person who shoos the crows away, hoping some other more "worthy" bird will visit. But when you're hankering for a brush with nature and big crows--I mean really big crows show up--would've taken only two of 'em to make a pie, well you work with what you've got.

I knew the rule: Don't feed wildlife in the Smoky Mountains. But in my mind it seemed like crows were residential critters and excluded from that list. Crows aren't fussy eaters. They loved the smorgasbord spread I set out on the deck railing; shortbread cookies, tortilla chips, wheat crackers, bread and sunflower seeds.

Word got around fast. "Good eats at Suzanne's cabin." And pretty soon a squirrel RSVP'd, too. Okay another residential exemption, so I didn't think there was any harm in letting him dine on a few sunflower seeds. But he was a pig. No manners at all. Inhaled three cups of sunflower seeds and the next thing I knew he was lying prostrate on the railing, four little paws hanging down, his head turned looking at me and I swear his eyes were saying, "I can't believe I ate the whole thing!"

Call 911--I was tempted to offer him an Alka Seltzer, but 10 minutes later he jumped up and headed back for a second helping. No way, I brushed the seeds off the railing and told him to come back tomorrow.

But a simple brush of sunflower seeds was like waving a magician's wand, because 15 minutes later, instead of a squirrel--"Oh my gosh, oh my gosh!" I could hear my husband yelling, but I couldn't see what was wrong until I turned around and there on the deck, eight feet away, was a BIG BLACK BEAR munching on leftover seeds.

Close the door! Find the camera! Catch my breath! I couldn't believe it--a BIG BLACK BEAR was right in front of me.

Q. What do you do when a bear is eating lunch on your deck?

A. Nothing. You wait for him to leave and pray he doesn't want dessert.

And he didn't. Once the seeds were gone he went quietly on his way.

To see vacation photos, including one of the BIG BLACK BEAR go to:

http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/users/master2/web/vacation2006.html

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Warmest regards,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com

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Comments

[Ann Blake]

Loved the bear story,
Suzanne! I laughed while reading your husband's comment upon seeing the bear even though I know he didn't think it was funny at the time. You both have experienced exactly what everyone who lives in or near wooded areas know which is although wild animals are "cute" you don't feed them. That is a gorgeous area to vacation in. You should come visit the mountains of West Virginia sometime, just as beautiful and full of wild life. Great vacation story, keep them coming.