During our evening with Ron and Kara, we received a tour of their newly-remodeled house. Prominently displayed on the floor of their bedroom (much to Kara's delight) is a black bear that Ron killed in Canada.

This led to a discussion of a short story I've been writing, the climax of which involves the shooting of such a bear. "Aren't you scared of bears?" Jenn asked.

"Yes, I am," I said. "That's partly why I wrote the story. It's based on something that actually happened: I went wandering off into the woods near Silverton to take photographs, even though the property owner had warned me of bears."

While I was saying this, I was thinking of Tammy's bear stories, and of the bearskin her family had in their living room (that skin always fascinated me). I was thinking of Grizzly Man. I was thinking of how whenever we go hiking up Opal Creek, I'm always suffering from a low-level anxiety that we'll be set upon by bears. (An anxiety which is not helped by all the anti-bear precautions we take.)

Here's video that demonstrates why I am scared of bears when we're in the woods:

At least we don't have to worry about grizzlies:

Here's a grizzly vs. a caribou (not for the faint of heart):

But, of course, the bears don't always win. Sometimes the cats win. Here's a video that's popular around our house:

Yessir. Bears frighten me. I'd rather deal with housecats, thank you very much.

Speaking of wildlife, there's a little more to tell about our trip for dinner at Ron and Kara's the other night. Kris and I keep forgetting to mention this to anyone.

After we had turned onto Miller Road, just before we got to John and Louise's driveway, a deer leapt a fence and bolted into the road. I braked and swerved (not too violently), and the deer veered to the side. For a few moments it ran beside us, keeping pace with the car. Then we were past it, and we sped off, down into the flats, past the tile factory, and to Ron and Kara's.

Just a little adventure, but fun nonetheless.

Addendum Since writing this, I've reached the point in Undaunted Courage where Lewis & Clark begin to encounter Grizzlies along the Missouri River. Needless to say, I'm frightened for them.

On this day at foldedspace.org

2006 — Brokeback Mountain   In which we see Brokeback Mountain, which is good, but not as good as the story upon which it is based.

2005 — Tangerine Dreams and Marshmallow Skies   In which I'm the dude, man — you've got the wrong guy.

2004 — When the bullet hits the bone!   In which I find your lack of faith disturbing.