Blueberries and Bears

Thank you all for your condolences regarding Sweetie's brother. We've been in a funk for a few days; realizing he's not going to be calling anymore...

The older one gets it seems the more precious relationships are and the more common it is to lose them.

My father came out Thursday and spent the night and this morning a neighbor came by with his girlfriend and stayed for breakfast. It was great to have a couple people around when we're missing contact with another.

The blueberries are ripening here so I've been out picking. Thus far I have about a quart as they're wild, not domesticated berries. They cover most of our acreage here so there's no excuse not to find any. I was reminded Thursday that I'm not the only one on the hunt. A 300# bear came out of the acreage to the north of us and sauntered east along our drive, crossed the road and went into the bush. Someone was pulling into a drive north of us and saw it, as did I, though I was about 500 feet south of our drive returning from my evening walk.

Last night I was out picking berries again and ventured onto the land north of us only to discover lots of bear signs. I turned around and began picking while headed for home and then heard a rustling in the trees behind me. A quick turn of my head and I knew for sure it was a bear so I continued south while it pawed around the blueberry bushes along the treeline.

The bear's presence is probably why our cats and the dog stick near the decks on the east and west sides of the house. I told our morning breakfast guests about the bear and he said two had been spotted across the lake this week. It's a reminder that we share this land with an animal just as intent on survival as us.

Well, I'm tired again today but determined to accomplish something so I'll talk to you all another time. Keep prepping and know that you're doing your part to take care of you and yours, Treesong