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Encounter with a Bear
By Sheilamarie Nellis
When I heard the crash in the woods and heard the deer rush through the trees, I knew it was probably a black bear come down from the mountain. Still, I kept pulling the quack grass roots from the soil. I had just planted the small Russian potatoes, all full of eyes, saved from the root cellar, and the quack grass was worming its long root tentacles along the sides of the beds. I looked over and saw him, black against the white birch, beautiful and yet strong and unpredictable, especially if he were a she and had little ones nearby. I stood and cleared my throat. He looked up, startled enough to scoot beside the tree but not enough to leave. He loomed between the garden and the house. I eased away and spoke gently to him. “I won’t hurt you, but you scare me a little, too.” Then I made my way towards the cabin on the far side of the garden. That is where I sit now. I have used this cabin before for writing, but not often, as the chimney needs cleaning, and the stove will not hold a fire. But there’s no need for a fire today in mid-May. I’m actually sitting out on the steps where ants are traversing what looks to be their highway, and I know they are nesting in the wood. I have to decide how long to wait here, and whether to take the route to the right which detours through Bobbi and Peter’s yard, but this would require me to pass through the very woods where the cubs could be. I know I will need to return with the diatomaceous earth to deal with the ants who are surely taking over the cabin. I know I eventually need to go home.
Sheilamarie taught fourth grade in New Hampshire. Despite what anyone else may tell you, her husband is definitely not from Mars.
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Contributor's Note
I found this description about last year's gardening experience while going through some papers. There were no intels to screen, so I thought, what the heck, why not post it? I suppose I'm thinking of frederick's story of the bear in his yard. . .
And, yes, I did eventually get home.
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 |  | Watkins lady liked this intel. Feb 20, 2011 |  | | rodinc liked this intel. Feb 20, 2011 |  | | frederick appreciated this intel. Feb 20, 2011 | | | liked this intel. Feb 21, 2011 |  | | nick appreciated this intel. Feb 21, 2011 |  | | silversurfer liked this intel. Feb 22, 2011 |  | | Coffee with Jeff appreciated this intel. Mar 4, 2011 |
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Thank you for sharing this interesting experience, Sheila.
Coming face to face with a black bear can be very dangerous. Glad you made it home safe and sound.
Keep up the good work.
Best wishes.
Frederick
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
You're right, frederick -- black bears can be dangerous. But most of the time, they're pretty timid with humans, unless they have learned that humans carry food. I have written a squidoo lens about being bear aware, if you're interested: www.squidoo.com/are-you-bear-aware-
Good thing it wasn't a rabid hockey player. 
 | | nick Feb 21, 2011 06:11 |  appreciated |
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Now that would be scary! My brother may take exception to that comment, however, as he still plays in his forties.
What makes a hockey player rabid, do you think?
What an experience.
Good story. A true story, I assume. Wow, face to face with a bear. Would scare the heck out of me. Though I did follow on into the woods at Yellowstone (to get some video footage), but that was from a distance.
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