When I was up visiting my family in Arlington, Mass. this past spring, I was fascinated by the frenzy caused by a black bear on the loose.
Not something I was used to, growing up in the Boston suburbs.
There seems to be a trend right now with the wildlife in that area -- more of it showing up in broad daylight. Foxes, wild turkeys, coyotes. The town has been built out for decades, so no one is pushing them out of their habitat.
As for snakes ... really, they don’t want to encounter you. Learn which ones are venomous in your area and give them wide berth.
Yes, I left the giant snake pretty much undisturbed, but, you know, I would be happier if they were a little farther away from the house. I used to live in Somerville when my husband attended grad school at Lesley and I was a very young editorial page editor in Lawrence, Mass. It worked pretty well because I had a reverse commute; I was going away from Boston when everyone else was driving into the city. That area is pretty built up even 40 years ago, so I can see how a bear in 2023 would make a big splash!
I always give snakes of any size and type wide berth. Years ago I was mowing my lawn with a power hand mower and saw a snake in my path. I deserted my running mower and fled into the house. While watching the reptile out the window, I knew that it would soon slither away. It did not.
I finally put tall boots, gloves and a raincoat on and crossed the front lawn while shouting to the snake that I was coming, he should vacate the property, leave before I hurt him only to discover it was a pile of dog poo.
How relieved I was that no one else was out in the neighborhood to see my brave attempt to conquer the asp.
Here in South Carolina I see bear on a regular basis. They are frequently in my yard or around our development. Each sighting is just as special. They are a beautiful creature. I do worry with our three dogs, so we always check the yard before letting the dogs out. We are fortunate to have several Red Fox in the yard almost daily as well as so many other critters that inhabited this area long before we built our house.
I hope you get to see the bear again, and this time be able to snap a photo or two.
Um, maybe in broad daylight, so long as the bear is uninterested in me, I'm all for it. What gave me pause is how often I am out at night here and it is REALLY dark. Hoping that bears sleep when the sun goes down!
Bears are actually more active at night when it’s cooler. At least around here. That is also why they get hit by cars more often at night. It’s really hard to see them. Just make noise when you are outside, most black bears run off when they hear people...unless you come between momma and her babies or bears and their food. I had one bear charge at me when I went to reclaim a bird feeder he took out of a tree. I opted to let him take the bird feeder.
A few things come to mind Maura, an amazing, but slightly terrifying experience! The fact that they are coming into where humans live means something is up in their world. Also bears are a powerful symbol in Native American medicine, so a wonderful sign if that's something on your radar. Either way unforgettable I'm guessing!
Louise, I am just fascinated by this thread you and I have started and I just subscribed to your newsletter - free for now but I am sure I will pay sooner or later. Thank you for your comments. I believe we should all be aware of signs, which are all around us, if we would just see them. Thank you for reminding me that seeing isn't believing; believing is seeing.
Well that sounds absolutely lovely Maura and I’m honoured that you have. Yes we are indeed shown the way when we might otherwise go in a different direction.
Was rereading this again this morning.(No idea how it popped up on my screen. I haven’t had time to read in months, and I miss you & Connie every week. I’ve never met Connie Schultz, but somehow, she makes me feel closer to home - Ohio: My grandparents, all of them long gone now, and my cousins. We lost the 1st of my generation 15 months ago.) I should have told you about bears and their legacy of healing. I need to find one to send you that has a heartline in it. A bear with a heartline is the strongest. The color of the stone in which the bear is carved matters as well. I have a 3-day reprieve from care providing coming up this next weekend. I’ll be going to a Quilter’s Festival inVA. (Some people have conventions. Quilters & handbell ringers have “festivals”.) I’ll see if I can find an appropriate bear fetish for you there. Love, Mindy
Mindy you have been in quite a slog with your mother’s passing and taking care of your dad. I hope you get some respite and rest, and I would love to see pics of your quilts! Did your dad get my letter?
Love this!
When I was up visiting my family in Arlington, Mass. this past spring, I was fascinated by the frenzy caused by a black bear on the loose.
Not something I was used to, growing up in the Boston suburbs.
There seems to be a trend right now with the wildlife in that area -- more of it showing up in broad daylight. Foxes, wild turkeys, coyotes. The town has been built out for decades, so no one is pushing them out of their habitat.
As for snakes ... really, they don’t want to encounter you. Learn which ones are venomous in your area and give them wide berth.
They’re free rodent control.
Yes, I left the giant snake pretty much undisturbed, but, you know, I would be happier if they were a little farther away from the house. I used to live in Somerville when my husband attended grad school at Lesley and I was a very young editorial page editor in Lawrence, Mass. It worked pretty well because I had a reverse commute; I was going away from Boston when everyone else was driving into the city. That area is pretty built up even 40 years ago, so I can see how a bear in 2023 would make a big splash!
I always give snakes of any size and type wide berth. Years ago I was mowing my lawn with a power hand mower and saw a snake in my path. I deserted my running mower and fled into the house. While watching the reptile out the window, I knew that it would soon slither away. It did not.
I finally put tall boots, gloves and a raincoat on and crossed the front lawn while shouting to the snake that I was coming, he should vacate the property, leave before I hurt him only to discover it was a pile of dog poo.
How relieved I was that no one else was out in the neighborhood to see my brave attempt to conquer the asp.
Keep your stories coming, Maura!
Sheila
Well done. Loved the comment about pearls in Connecticut.
Here in South Carolina I see bear on a regular basis. They are frequently in my yard or around our development. Each sighting is just as special. They are a beautiful creature. I do worry with our three dogs, so we always check the yard before letting the dogs out. We are fortunate to have several Red Fox in the yard almost daily as well as so many other critters that inhabited this area long before we built our house.
I hope you get to see the bear again, and this time be able to snap a photo or two.
Um, maybe in broad daylight, so long as the bear is uninterested in me, I'm all for it. What gave me pause is how often I am out at night here and it is REALLY dark. Hoping that bears sleep when the sun goes down!
Bears are actually more active at night when it’s cooler. At least around here. That is also why they get hit by cars more often at night. It’s really hard to see them. Just make noise when you are outside, most black bears run off when they hear people...unless you come between momma and her babies or bears and their food. I had one bear charge at me when I went to reclaim a bird feeder he took out of a tree. I opted to let him take the bird feeder.
I will never, ever argue with a bear!
A few things come to mind Maura, an amazing, but slightly terrifying experience! The fact that they are coming into where humans live means something is up in their world. Also bears are a powerful symbol in Native American medicine, so a wonderful sign if that's something on your radar. Either way unforgettable I'm guessing!
Absolutely unforgettable. And I like the idea of bears as a powerful Native American symbol, so thank you for that.
I forgot to mention it’s the symbol for healing, so could be something that you need or are being made aware of.
Louise, I am just fascinated by this thread you and I have started and I just subscribed to your newsletter - free for now but I am sure I will pay sooner or later. Thank you for your comments. I believe we should all be aware of signs, which are all around us, if we would just see them. Thank you for reminding me that seeing isn't believing; believing is seeing.
Well that sounds absolutely lovely Maura and I’m honoured that you have. Yes we are indeed shown the way when we might otherwise go in a different direction.
I especially like the caption under the photo of your two pups!
They are pretty funny!
Was rereading this again this morning.(No idea how it popped up on my screen. I haven’t had time to read in months, and I miss you & Connie every week. I’ve never met Connie Schultz, but somehow, she makes me feel closer to home - Ohio: My grandparents, all of them long gone now, and my cousins. We lost the 1st of my generation 15 months ago.) I should have told you about bears and their legacy of healing. I need to find one to send you that has a heartline in it. A bear with a heartline is the strongest. The color of the stone in which the bear is carved matters as well. I have a 3-day reprieve from care providing coming up this next weekend. I’ll be going to a Quilter’s Festival inVA. (Some people have conventions. Quilters & handbell ringers have “festivals”.) I’ll see if I can find an appropriate bear fetish for you there. Love, Mindy
Mindy you have been in quite a slog with your mother’s passing and taking care of your dad. I hope you get some respite and rest, and I would love to see pics of your quilts! Did your dad get my letter?