Rick warned me. He didn’t think putting a bird feeder with a suet cake on the deck was a good idea. We had the hook already there from the hummingbird feeder. So, why not? The little titmice and nuthatch quickly found the new food and were fun to watch. The cats thought it was a good idea too as it made for improved bird watching, cat-style. Obviously, you as readers can already tell what’s coming. At least you have fair warning, whereas I did not. I have said many times that I wish I had a camera in my forehead that I could just trigger to catch certain photos. This was one of those times.

It was just after noon-ish. I walked into our sunroom which has large picture windows and sliding glass doors on both sides. We have two levels of deck with stairs leading down to the back yard. Here, let me show you as Sam [the Maine Coon] helps me demonstrate:

Okay, see the deck railing just behind Sam and the stained glass? What I saw when I came into the sunroom was one of the bear cubs standing [yes all four feet] on the railing, looking right at me. His head was just above where Sam’s head is. He looked just about as surprised as I was. I was so shocked and surprised that I did what most people would do. I screamed. I couldn’t help myself, I didn’t have time to think about my reaction. When I screamed the dogs started barking. I saw the other bear cub at the feeder [which would be right in back of that section of wall between the two windows]. The cubs took flight and all I could see was the paw of the one that had seconds ago been standing on the railing. His paw clung to the railing for a second; then he was gone.

It’s quite a drop so I was hoping it wasn’t hurt. Nope, not hurt, there is Ursa down in the yard and there go the two cubs running for the woods. Darn, missed that photo opportunity with my big mouth. But all I could think of at the moment was that the bears did not belong on my deck a few feet away from my house. You can visualize it for yourselves though, can’t you?

I gathered what was left of my wits about me and dashed for the camera. I went out on the deck to take a look. The bears were in the woods, but Ursa was heading back towards the yard. I waited. Sure enough, they entered the yard again. Ursa knew I was there; she looked me straight in the eyes.

She and I have an understanding of sorts. She knows my scent from our earlier encounters in the yard, and she knows it was me that dropped suet down to her when we thought she was stuck in the storm drain. It’s creepy, but there is definitely a connection. She knows I mean no harm, and in return she does none. For a person that has had a terrible fear of bears her whole life, I find my reaction to this bear and her cubs very strange. I named her Ursa after the run-in with the dogs we had earlier in the year. If you missed that post here is the explanation of her name. So, it just follows that I’ve now dubbed the cubs ‘Major’ and ‘Minor.’

They stayed and played awhile and what follows is a photo journal of their visit. I hope you enjoy it. I had to shoot fast, so I set the camera on the sport setting to minimize the blur from their movement.

Ho hum. I kind of like this yard. Let’s stay for awhile.

Hey, what is that lady doing up there? Is she watching us?

Hey, look, cool…a dog toy!

tag…you’re it!

I’m gonna get you now…

okay, let’s dance…but who’s going to lead?

oh, alright…you can lead…

After about ten minutes the cubs started to come up the yard and I knew they were headed for the deck again. So, I took the feeder off the post and looked Ursa straight in the eyes. I said, ‘Okay Ursa, that’s enough. There is nothing more for you here. You should go now.’ She turned towards the woods and ambled off with Major and Minor right behind her.

While I was on the phone telling my mom about my encounter, I looked out towards the back of the yard and noticed the gate looked like it was open. Yikes. Good thing I had not let the dogs out yet. Sure enough, the gate was open enough for the bears to either come in or go out, and the dogs as well. The latch had been tampered with and it wasn’t catching anymore. I put a bungie cord on it to hold it closed. They’ve always just come over the fence before, not the gate! And, the other thing I want to know is did they use the stairs to get on the deck? Or did they climb up one of the poles? The dogs gave the yard a good sniffing when I finally let them out and Alex went right to the gate. So, they must have gained entry via the gate this time. Clever, brazen bears.

Post note: As an afterthought I found this website and learned more about our resident black bears.

I know, I know. I’m supposed to be posting the blog entry about our 25th anniversary to see the Broadway play, Wicked. Patience, it’s almost finished. So instead you’ll have to make do with photos from Rick’s parents’ trip to visit. The following were taken mid-October on our drive up through Harriman State Park in New York and Bear Mountain. As you can see, it was a lovely drive on a lovely day. They truly did pick the right week for weather!

The play of green and red along the border of the lake caught my eye.

The Bear Mountain Bridge and Hudson River Valley

All the leaves are brown
and the sky is blue
I’ve been for a walk
with a dog or two

Okay, it’s not the Mamas and the Papas [California Dreamin’]. Not exactly. We’ve had the nicest weather over the past week so far, and it just begs me to get out of the house and enjoy. The trees are mostly done now but some still have some color. It’s not too hot, nor too cold. The sky is blue. The leaves crunch underfoot. We live close to Green Turtle Pond and I’ve been meaning to walk all the way down, which is a little over a mile down and back. Maybe it’s further than that. I’m horrible at judging distances. It’s a good walk for the dogs because once off the main road they can be off leash. And, I took my camera of course. After having such a disastrous time with my sock project I needed to do something that I know might just come out right: photos.

Are you ready to walk with us? Here is the road.

Along the way…

Some interesting tree fungus

Sailor having a run through the leaves

Different Colors

Finally, Green Turtle Pond…

Leaves in the Lake Stew

A well deserved drink for Alex

Just Leaves

Happy Alex!

The End

I’m lazy this morning, and I’ll be the first to admit it. I should be working on the blog entry for our wonderful 25th anniversary but my brain is not quite working, so no witty prose can be written right now. Rick just left for work and called me to tell me there were four deer crossing the road right by our house. How nice!

So, instead dear readers, you will have to be satisfied with a few photos from our trip to the Jersey Shore with Rick’s parents.

First up is the Sandy Hook Lighthouse. It’s tinier than I expected it to be. It was built in 1764 to guide mariners into New York Harbor, and at that time the lighthouse was perched 500 feet from the northern tip of the Sandy Hook peninsula. Today, three centuries and lots of wave and water action later, the lighthouse is more than a mile from that point! It is the oldest operational lighthouse in America and a national historic landmark.

Next was lunch at Spike’s in Point Pleasant. If you’ll remember our last trip to the shore we ate here too. This time we knew we were going to try what they are best known for: the lobster roll. Rick’s parents chose the daily lunch special which was fresh fish of the day [in this case flounder] and a steaming mug of clam chowder. Rick and I both had the lobster roll: chunks of nicely seasoned lobster on a hot dog bun with hot drawn butter on the side. A scoop of homemade coleslaw AND potato salad rounded out our lunch. Yum yum yum. We bought some chilean sea bass, stuffed crab, and stuffed scallops for our dinner later on.

Then it was on to the boardwalk and the beach. The lure of the ocean is a powerful thing.

Until the next installment in Rick’s parents’ visit, a drive through Harriman State Park and the Hudson River Valley in New York.

SIGH. The pool has been put to bed for the winter. We haven’t really been able to swim since Labor Day. Its crystal clear waters would beckon to me, luring me to come closer.

come on in, it seemed to say, i’m not too cold…

The unspoken words would float around my head like tendrils of water, wrapping themselves around my brain.  The pool was weaving its spell again, just like it had every warm summer’s eve. Over and over I could hear the taunting refrain:

...come on in, the water’s fine…
...come on in, the water’s fine…
...come on in, the water’s fine…  

Finally, I gave in to the pool’s spell and tested the waters. ~ohmygod~ I gasped, as the frigid water poured over my hand and the enchantment was broken. No way—BRRRRRRRRR!  Silly pool, what were you thinking?

Poor pool. Poor us. It was sure fun while it lasted. For two people who have never had a pool before and didn’t particulary want one, we certainly got a lot of enjoyment and use out of it. It’s sad, but just look how cozy it will be under its new safety cover! So much more attractive than the old way, and so much safer for the dogs, not to mention much less maintenance for us. It was an expensive venture, but one that we think was a smart one.

Have a good hibernation, dear pool. Think plenty of warm thoughts for next year. Until we swim again…