hi Leasa, I enjoyed that, thanks. Havent seen any bears in my part of Hancock co., but couple years ago, saw bear tracks leading in and out of a slash pile (that I'd often walked by and wondered if that opening in it was a door to a bear den!) it was during that wierd winter where everythng was extremely warm. That day had snowed one or two inches, and I guess the warm weather had confused the bear, he'd come out, made a half circle, then went back in. Day or two ago, a fox (I think) took one of my chickens. It dug a hole in the crusty snow, watched for the right time, and grabbed one, not even two feet from the hen house. Couple days later, I was walking in woods and came upon a pile of chicken feathers. The same day bird was taken, pretty sure I saw a fisher climb a tree in my back yard. (I saw one last year at this time too, tho I'm told they dont live here) Hope this is ok to post here, no gardening talk, except mine is under some frozen white stuff! Liked the video! Sherry

Nicole, my mom's best friend found them her hospital's gift shop! I will see if they have more! You've been my hugest support through the bluesy bluebird year! I think I am going to display them and never wear them though! The other present was from my nurse practitioner's 10 year old daughter who I let have a peek at the babies before fledge. We don't have robins here but it was such a sweet sentiment!

Yes, It's a gamble for sure. I've had some success and many failures. Zone 9, maybe 9b and we've grown and bloomed Anthuriums red and white, mountain azaleas, grew arabica coffee plants to mature red beans before a frost and still have a nice Miracle Fruit bush and have a full pint of red fruit from it when recipes using them are developed.. Failures include but not limited to South American breadfruit grown to 7 feet before a lone 26*F one Winter, also lost a Cacao tree (chocolate) to a single cold morning another Winter. I love to try different plants that don't usually grow here, some don't make it, some do well and some, like the black pepper are in limbo, lacking some factor that's needed for production.

Early one morning last week, DSIL had to chase a bear out of the garage. The garage door was closed, but he came in through the man door that is almost always closed, it may have been left ajar that night. The bear got the dog food and had opened the refrigerator and pulled out a few bud lights (probably trying to get to more dog food on top of the fridge. DSIL chased him out with a broom and then managed to lock himself out of the house. Fortunately, the bear had run off by then. The dog, who had just walked past the door to the garage didn't bark or do anything to alert. Not a good guard dog to say the least. It is not unusual to have to chase a bear off -- usually yelling is all that is needed. Bear are frequent this time of year around town, but are frightened by humans and property damage is really the only problem. Garbage cannot be left outside, by city ordinance, unless in an approved bear proof containers. Making it easier for Bear to forage in town is dangerous for the bears, not so much humans. Humans tend to contribute to the problem by leaving food out -- even hummingbird feeders are a problem. Moose and mountain lions are much more worrisome -- those are much more of a threat to humans and dogs. Luckily, mountain lions are relatively scarce, but there seems to be a moose injury to a human in the area every year or so. Usually cows protecting their young and they will charge a dog, who they view as a wolf, one of their primary predators.