Jackie_o, thanks for posting your thoughts. I've missed your posting and pics of your garden. I remember pictures of your garden overlooking that lake of yours. I know that past problems with exactly this kind of thing are why you and some other people I really like stopped posting. I hate that you all have left. I hate that your feelings were hurt. I hate that we can't read each other's minds and always understand what to say so as not to offend. The point of this thread is to talk about how we treat each other. It is inevitable that we disagree. That's part of the fun of this whole place. But when we have an opposing viewpoint I think we need to be kind in how we phrase it. We also need to try to understand the other guy and why he responded how he did. My take is that Kim is a guy, has had a terrifying experience with coyotes, and is opinionated. That is how he's made. whatever he believes, he's passionate about. And I agree with Jackie above - I think Lyn and Kim's response was somewhat over the top in how they responded to what Ingrid actually said and posted. But I have read a lot of what Kim's written, not only here but on hmf and other places. I know he's passionate, opinionated and somewhat brusque. That's what he is. So what? I ignore it and try to figure out what he's really saying. Nothing I have ever read of lyn's has ever been anything but kind and courteous. For her to respond the way she did must indicate some kind of horrible experience. I didn't really understand why she posted exactly what she did, but based on what else I've seen of her, I thought there must be something I didn't know. I've never met Kim but I put him in the same category as other men I have met, kinda like Sammy shared about her husband. I liked ingrid's posting, but didn't say anything because I don't exactly like interacting with wildlife. But I don't think she and her gallant husband did anything out of the ordinary or wrong. A lot of us would try to rescue a baby squirrel, probably. So what? Is it wise? I don't know. One baby squirrel doesn't amount to much. A snack for my bear. I decided that it's Kim and Lyn's experiences of the dangers of what can happen that caused the over the top nature of their responses. Kind of like someone yelling "stop" if they think you're too close to the edge of a precipice. I've done exactly the same thing. A friend told me she wanted to keep chickens in her yard. all I could think of is the times when I was raising chickens that I came home to dead chickens because of wandering coyotes and dogs. I was really over the top in my response and had to apologize later for being so negative. It is true that some people are intentionally rude. I don't think that this is the case here. I do not think that either Kim or Lyn intentionally were trying to insult or flame Ingrid. I think that both of them have had some pretty extreme experiences with wild life and are passionate about their opinions. For Ingrid's part, I wish she hadn't taken offense, because I don't think any was intended. But as Ingrid has said, and Seil said above, Ingrid's response was more emotional than she wanted it to be, and she's upset right now, anyway. I do know that when I offend someone, even if I did not intend to, I apologize. It costs nothing other my pride, and I have screwed up enough in my life to realize that I am not perfect, that I do hurt others, even when I don't intend to. Life's too short to waste it on trivialities like my pride. I hope that helps, Jackie_O. As I said earlier, I hate that you and others don't post, and I am glad you posted now. Relationships anywhere are some of the toughest things to deal with in life. I've lost friendships over reasons that I can't even begin to understand why. I hate that too. Gean -------- hi, Zyp, lol - the description of the bear came from my neighbor. She said the bear climbed her fence to get to her bird feeders in her back yard. She was terrified and said it was "as big as a car." So I guess that's hearsay, huh? there is a salmon run down behind our home and tons of those blackberries, which is why the bear frequents this area. That and bird feeders and probably garbage. And rodents galore. Good eatin' around here. I keep telling my cat he's a snack for some wandering wildlife and to be happy inside, but he's a stubborn cuss and insists on sneaking out when given half a chance.

I don't want to sound rude, but I must interject here. There's one in every bunch isn't there? Listen to one thing ladies... You are allowed to believe in whatever your heart tells you to believe in and whatever makes you feel better and helps you to cope with the grief that a loss such as these hurls you into. Grief is a horrible thing to have to endure, but just as is dying, so is grief a very real and unavoidable part of life. Don't allow anyone to succeed who tries to take away that which enables you to cope with this grief. I believe in and love God with all my heart, all my mind and all my soul, however, I can't help but get angered by people who think that the only voice of God comes through the Bible. Personally I don't give the Bible much credence because I believe it was written by man and twisted and turned around and upside down for the agenda of the day until present day very little of it is the true word of God. I know the word of God (for me). It's in my heart and in my soul and I for one certainly don't need someone sharing their self-righteous demonic sightings or their bible interpretations with me or anywhere near me. I generally say one thing to these people who think they have all the answers and that is... "We'll all find out someday, won't we?", and so as to avoid violating the guidelines, with that I bid you please take your naysaying to another forum. Sorry to all of the others on this forum, but this was such a wonderful conversation until I got to that post and I could not be silent and let someone like that spoil everyone else's great experience. I will sign on again soon and tell you all my story. Linda

I like the topic of today's quotes. Especially the Tyson quote. If we elect astrophysicists for Presidents , and they think only of the big picture, I want a VP in charge of the human condition. At this time, we all can't live in space. Although, I like the idea of no more war.

I have seen tabs with precalculated tips -- usually at least 15-18%, 20% and 25%. I find it crazy that people can't figure tips -- even with a calculator on their phone. I learned something I'd never heard before -- in addition to tip-out or tip share where a percentage of the tab goes to the kitchen staff, expo/bus staff, the bar and even the host or hostess, the credit card service charge comes out of the tip paid to servers where my son works. When a table of 6 or 8 get separate checks, they get hit with 6 or 8 transactions fees. A 20% tip may or may not reach 15% to your server. I don't agree with that practice, but can't change it. Does the kitchen get charged for the food and the utilities? Sheesh.