Dale Thacker Aurthor

Tag: family

  • The Awakening

    The Awakening

                It’s been a long hibernation, I’m the first in our den to wake up. I looked at the beautiful bear lying next to me, I’m am so blessed to have Luna in my life. I am still groggy, but I go over to check on Luna, I wake her up. I want her to be part of, checking for our babies. She said it seems like we just went asleep. Then she goes OMG I feel something moving, over here beside of me. We look, there are 2 beautiful cubs, but one is snow white and looks like a polar bear, we pick her up and she has a pink nose, and pink eyes. I said I have never heard, or seen anything like this before, she weighs about 6 pounds. But she is so precious. The second one also funny looking, he has a white head but black around the eyes and black ears. Back half of body is white, all legs are black, the front legs are black and the black continues as a wide black strip going across the top of the back, then down to the other front leg. He weighed 8 pounds. I love our new family, but I never seen or heard any bears like this. Luna said I have. I have heard tell of white bears in the north, they are called polar bears, but they don’t have pink eyes and nose. I heard a commercial, about a polar bear, named Coca Cola, I like this name, I said and for short we can call her Cola. Then Luna said that our little boar resembles a panda bear from China. I spoke up and said, how about Pandy for his name. Luna said I love it. Here we are with our unique family. As we gave each other a big bear hug and nose rubs.

                We woke Bud, Lucille, Susan, and Heather, they were stunned, seeing their new brother and sister. Bud said what the hell is this. I said watch your language there little brother. Yes, they are unique, but they are your brother and sister. Meet Coca Cola or Cola for short’ and Pandy. Heather said I’ve seen bears like them in your nursery rhyme book. A polar bear and a panda bear. Luna said they are black bears just like us. But Cola is what is called albino or the lack of pigmentation. Pandy is piebald when part of the coat is normal and other parts are white. Susan said I love my brother and sister. Now with everyone awake Luna fixes breakfast and we go outside for a stroll. Cola and Pandy are running around as fast they can, exploring everything they see. But their full speed is like us walking at half speed.

                We are now over at Angel’s, they are all outside enjoying the beautiful blue sky, with puffs of white, and the trees having a gentle sway. The bushes are just beginning to get slightly green. Samuel said I thought y’all was sleeping until summer. We have been up for almost a week now. Angel said OMG, Luna is those my grandbears, they are unique but precious. Luna said yes, this here is Coca Cola, or Cola for short our daughter, and Pandy our son. Angel handed a slice of sourdough bread with honey on it to Cola, Pandy wanted it and a huge fight broke out. Cola now has a small streak of red, going through her snow-white fur. I had to break them apart and had them apologize to each other.

                Everyone is now headed to Lucy’s, we see no one stirring so we go in. All we hear is big snore, a medium snore, and a baby snore. Everyone is still asleep, until Pandy goes running, and sliding around into James. He wakes up and said, who is this little black and white fellow. I think he thought it was Patches, and Susie little baby. He was surprised when Luna walked in, and said this is my son Pandy and over there is my daughter Coca Cola or Cola. James goes over and gently wakes everyone leaving Susie for last. Sam Jr. said he wanted to wake her. As he did, she stretches, and feels some movement. She looks down to see a beautiful little sow black as coal with a light tan muzzle, and weighs 7 pounds. Sam Jr. said that’s the most precious thing he has ever seen. It is now lunch time and Angel and Luna prepare lunch and we enjoyed it very much. I said what’s your cubs name Susie, then, I said how about Suzanne. Susie said I Like that a lot. With 3 new cubs to our expanded family this is going to be a great spring.

                Well, looks like time to go to the pond and do a little fishing. Cola saw Bud put the 20-inch minnow on, she was so amused, she just stayed right under Bud’s paws, the whole time he was fishing. Bud didn’t mind though; he told her that he always fish, for the world record rainbow trout. She said I want to catch him. Bud said by this fall you might be big enough, to hold onto the pole if he bites. She said OK, I will catch him this fall. As I’m sitting here, I miss everyone that has been killed, but I’m not depressed over it anymore. Having Luna in my life has changed my life, for the best. I am so happy with her, being in my life. I also thinking back to when I set Tom and Sue up. How he told me having Sue in his life changed him, so much for the better. I need to go see them before long. But it will be a month before Pandy and Cola is big enough to make the long trip. I never want to lose Luna, I’m going to be scouting for dens when we go to see Tom.

                Just before dusk we all go back to our dens, it has been a great day with our family. I’m so blessed to have our unique son and daughter. They will be the talk of the forest. Once we were back at our den, we had supper and I read Little Red Riding Hood to Cola and Pandy. Cola said she was scared that the big bad wolf would get her. I told her there are no wolves in Virginia, just the smaller cousin the coyote. But don’t be scared, I will always be here to protect you, my precious daughter. She went in to bed, she was sound asleep in no time.

                The next morning was to introduce the new cubs to the stream and fishing, for native trout. It took us twice as long as usual to get there, but once there, Bud dove in, and out he came with a 17-inch native trout. Cola went in after seeing Bud go in, she was splashing and having a blast. Pandy walked down and gently put a toe in the water, before jerking it out. Cola saw this, she got out and walked behind him, she then with all her power, she pushes him in, as she fell in after him. He was scared only for a couple seconds, then realized it was a lot of fun being in the water. Bud and Susie had fun also, and caught a basket full of gorgeous colored native brook trout. Was a great day with the new family at the stream. Luna and myself just sit on the bank and reflected on our new life.

                For the next 2 weeks were hunting game, teaching our cubs how to hunt. Luna wanted to teach them how to hunt possums, since that’s the easiest game to hunt. Cola and Pandy rather than killing the possums, it was more of a cat playing with a mouse. They would smack it around a little, then Luna comes in and kills the Possum. Pandy did see a young possum, he had enough power he was able to kill it. They are beginning to learn how to be bears.

                It’s now a little later in the spring, and wild fruit is everywhere. Cola and Pandy are loving the strawberries and blueberries. They are eating more than, what is going in the baskets. Oh, my lord, look at Cola now, she is red, white, and blue. Having a snow-white coat can have its problems. Bud said all she needs now is stars and stripes. We were able to gather 4 baskets full of berries. Afterwards Luna was to fix some delicious berry cobbler. Cola and Pandy thought that her cobbler’s were best thing ever.

                It’s now my time to teach them a new skill. I know it’s way too early for them to participate in big game hunting, but I want them to be exposed to it. We came up with the plan, knowing they couldn’t keep up, that Luna would be up in the steep rocks, with Cola and Pandy, so they could watch me chase the deer up into the rocks and kill them. I go down and get below them the chase is on, a large doe with 2 yearlings. The plan goes perfectly, I was able to harvest the doe and a yearling. Pandy said wow, I want to deer hunt, that looked like fun. Luna said give it a few months you will be able to hunt. Cola said I don’t know about that, my beautiful white coat would be splotched with red. Luna said that is what the shower or creek is for.

                We continued the training over next couple of weeks and they are growing quickly now, so we decided prior to going to Toms, to have a picnic at the pond with everyone. So, we all convened on the pond and yes, Bud went to his spot and placed a 20-inch minnow on. Cola now a little larger sit right beside him, and said when are we going to catch that big world record rainbow trout. I was watching everyone else catching plenty of fish. Cola said, Bud tell that fish to bite, Bud being a good big brother said, bite fish. About then the pole bent over double and the fight began. Cola said give me the pole, and mischievously Bud hands her the pole, remembering his first time with this trout. She held on for dear life with the pole in both front paws, her hind legs trying to grab onto the ground. It wasn’t but seconds and she was in the water. What a show-off she is though, unlike bud she has her hind paws on-top the water, as the world record trout is pulling her around and around the pond. The trout was breaking water jumping and doing all kinds of acrobatics. Luna was watching in amazement, that her daughter could water ski. She probably went around that pond 50 times before the trout went into shallow water, and just laid there being exhausted. Everyone ran over to it, and tried to get it in deep water. The old fish was too tired and died. Cola said to Bud, I’m sorry I killed your world record trout. Bud said that’s ok, I was laughing as hard I could watching you water skiing. I tell Cola that I remember over in Lucifer’s house, of seeing a fish that had been preserved. I’m sure Ann can help us to preserve it, for you to hang on the wall.

                We headed to Ann’s with a 51 inch and 72-pound world record rainbow trout. I knock on the door and Alice comes to the door, she said Ann was on the couch and invited us in. She was impressed at the trout. I said I know that humans have a way to preserve fish, she said yes, it’s called taxidermy. I asked if you and Ann could take and have that done. She said sure. Ann holler’s is that you Ben, come on in. when I go in, she said Damn that’s a big trout. I want y’all to have the taxidermist to fix this for Cola. As cola comes in and is chasing the cat, Ann said who is this, and what is this a polar bear. This is Cola, she is our daughter, she is an albino black bear. She is precious but oh those pink eyes. About then Pandy comes from around the couch OMG it’s a panda bear from China. No this is Pandy he is a piebald black bear, Ann said oh, I’ve seen a piebald deer, I never knew a bear could be Piebald. You have a beautiful family.

                I asked how she is doing and when her baby would be born. She said less than 2 weeks now, as she stood up her belly was protruding. She then says I know you know Alice, but things have changed for us, while Y’all was in hibernation. Alice and myself have become partners. We got married, I’m his wife, and she is my husband. I tell them congratulations. I tell them Lucy also had a daughter, Suzanne. They invited us to stay for supper. Ann told Alice to put the fish in their freezer, they would take it to the taxidermist tomorrow. They had a good supper and then was headed home, Ann said please spend the night. I want to watch these 2 young cubs play some more; they are so precious. The next morning, we said our goodbyes and I tell Ann that we were going to Tom’s, we may stay a couple weeks, we need to scout out at least 4 dens for everyone. We going to move out there before next fall. I can’t handle any more deaths in our family. We going to a county that doesn’t allow bear hunting. She said to stop by on the way back, she may have given birth by then! Also, she may have the trout back from the taxidermist by then. I am excited to possibly seeing a human baby, I have never seen a baby human before.

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  • Putting on Weight

    Putting on the Weight

    With the end of chase season, we all decided to celebrate with a picnic around the pond. With farmer Brown being dead, we know we are safe around the pond. We all have a mutual agreement, that we want our resources of rainbow trout to never run out. So, we no longer will keep any trout we may catch. There are plenty of native trout in the streams, to keep us supplied in native trout to eat. We will save the rainbow trout to grow to mammoth size. Bud was happy to hear this. He likes catching the record trout more than anything else.

    Everybody brought different food items for the Picnic. Luna brought fried turkey and smoked turkey legs. Sophia made about 20 loaves of sourdough bread and deer ribs. She was out of hog ribs so Benjiman fixed 200 pounds of barbecue deer ribs. Lucy brought turnip greens with 25 pounds of bacon cooked in them. Angel fixed many different types of pies and cobblers, she also decided to try her hand at coconut cake. It is so snowy white and fluffy.

    We had our lines in the water for 2 hours, before it was time to get out all our picnic baskets. The fishing has really gotten better, with the average fish now 22 to 26 inches. But we are catching several now around 28 inches and even a 30 inch, 18-pound rainbow trout. It was bitter sweet though, I was still sad, what I had done to farmer Brown, and his wife. Bud still is patiently waiting on his record trout; big bait = big fish this is his motto. He doesn’t even care that everyone else catches many more fish than he does. The only one other than Bud; who can say they have caught a world record trout is Tom. How I miss Tom and Sue.

    We have a wonderful feast and everyone is stuffed. We decided it a beautiful evening, with a full moon coming up, we would just have a night under the stars tonight at the pond. The stars are so numerous tonight and air is beginning to have a slight nip to it, the trees are swaying. Bud said yes, I can fish all night long, all the other cubs was just as excited as Bud. Some of the cubs just wanted to play while others fished. All the grown bears just were glad to have a quite evening with friends and family. The quite was broken around 2am when Bud yelled, I have the world record trout on his line. With the quietness that night brings, you could hear that fish every time it broke water and leaped out of the water, with the full moon you could see the beautiful pink flash as he rolled out of the water. Bud was so excited having it on his line again. It took him almost 45 minutes before he had the trout up on land. It looks bigger than last time but we have nothing to weigh or measure him with. We know it’s a male due to the long hook jaw that only male trout have.

    We strolled on down to farmer Browns cornfield, a little before sunrise, knowing it was safe to enter, we just gouged ourselves. This year we have it made with all this free corn. We ate until we could eat no more, and took a bear nap in the corn field. When we woke in the middle of tall corn stalks, filled with large 14-inch ears of corn, it’s a bear’s paradise. We decided rather than the long trip back to Sophia’s, and Lucy’s den, that we would stay with Angel and Luna. Lucy said they would stay with Luna and Sophia and myself and cubs will be at Angels.

    We did this for the next 3 weeks, with Samuel now being the eldest of everyone, with the passing of Oliver, and Ceasar, Samuel said, he has never seen it this good for us bears before. We always were faced for possible being shot in the corn fields, but now they are safe. Our lives consisted to eating corn, and gorging on all the many acorns now littering the forest floor. Of course we would add in our normal meals, of back straps, turkey, greens and bacon, and sourdough bread, etc. I know we have put on much more weight faster this year, than we did last year.

    It is now only one week before the dreaded kill season, so we all decided to go back to our dens. Once back at my den, I told Sophia I was going to go to check on Ann. I wanted to make sure she was OK. At her house, her mom and dad said, she had moved out. That Ann and her best girlfriend from high school had moved in together at Lucifer’s. They said, that Lucifer’s Brother Dominick had come by. He gave Ann the deed to the farm, he said he doesn’t want it, so he wanted her to have it. He said that he was never a farmer, and has no desire to keep the farm. He knew that Ann always wanted her own farm.

    So, I headed to Anns new farm, I see a pile of ashes, where the old farm house was. But the mother-in-law’s suite, had smoke coming from the chimney. I walked down and knocked. A young woman dressed in pajama’s looked terrified, to see a bear at her door, as she screamed. Ann came to the door. and said this is Benjiman, that I had told you about. Ann introduced the young lady as her best friend, Alice; and told Alice this is Benjiman.  Alice said she wasn’t used to a bear being at her door. They welcomed me in. Ann told me that she has gotten very close, to her best friend from high school, after the Lucifer ordeal, Alice has been right by my side. I said, I see the old farmhouse must have burned. Ann said yes it did.

    The day I was given the deed, myself and Alice came over, with 10 gallons of diesel fuel. I couldn,t go in the house myself, but Alice did and she poured the diesel fuel throughout the house. Once it was saturated, I lit the match from just outside the door, as I lit some newspaper and threw it inside. We stepped back and watched it burn, until it was nothing left, but some smoldering areas. I had to finish the job of destroying anything, that reminded me of Lucifer. There were many different colors of smoke coming up from the living room area. There was a rainbow of color. We made sure that we were not in the path of the smoke. Ann says her and Alice, have lived here in the mother-in-law suite, for 2 weeks and they have been very happy being farm girls. They said come on out back on the patio, they have some ribs smoking, they asked that I to have supper with them tonight. After supper I had to get back to the den, as tomorrow is the first day of kill season. I’m concerned for Maverick, most of chase season was horrible for him and his family. Although he has stepped up his game towards the end of chase season. What will tomorrow hold for everyone? What kind of havoc will the next 5 weeks bring to my family and friends? Will all the dogs we killed during chase season, have that group of hunters, killing every bear they, see? I lost Oliver last year, I don’t want to lose any of my friends and family this year!

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  • Reflection and Tranquility

    Reflection and Tranquility

    Upon leaving Lucifer’s I asked Ann, if she wanted me to walk her home. She said she needs some time before she talks, to her parents about what she had done. I told her she was welcome to stay with us, as long as she wanted to. We both feel at peace now, that the deed is done. We are sad for what Lucifer, has taken from both of us. We need time to reflect, and heal from what Lucifer did to us both. Ann and I made it back to the den.

    Sophia was worried about us, but so glad to see us back, she had so many questions. Again, we wasn’t up to questions, we needed a little time to heal mentally. We both had a cigar, and Sophia and Lucy prepared lunch for us. The den had the smell of sourdough bread cooking, and fried country ham, there was a ten-gallon pot of green beans cooking with potatoes. I also can smell some berry cobbler being prepared. Although much sorry in our hearts, we both have a feeling of inner peace. Ann will need time, as she gave herself to the devil. Lucifer had really pulled the wool over her eyes. She believed he was a good person. She had dreams, of helping on the farm raising chicken, cows, and pigs. That what had originally gotten her interested in Lucifer, she wanted to be the farmer’s wife.

    For me I feel so much sorry and hurt for killing, both farmer Brown and his wife. Only time can lessen my pain. I now thinking about that smell I followed, to farmer Brown porch. I realized that day for some reason, it didn’t go up on the porch. But I had so much hate in my heart, due to the loss of Ceasar, I didn’t think everything though. I guess my worst guilt, is that every time I went to Lucifer’s, I smelled that smell. But my mind had farmer Brown, as the killer. I could have prevented all this taking place, if wasn’t for the hate, I felt for farmer Brown. I should of listen to what my nose tried to tell me. I am the cause of all of this, I have so much guilt. We had one more cigar before lunch.

    After lunch we had the cubs, all go back out on their own. We all set around the kitchen table, and talked of how we had killed Lucifer. James tells Ann, that she was brilliant coming up with this plan, and being able to accomplish the goal. Sophia said that Ann, was so strong to be able to overcome her emotions, and keep her emotions in control, to be able to pull this off. Ann said the entire time she was in his house, she wanted to puke, I really thought I was going to, when he kissed me. I had to hold it together though; I wanted him dead. Lucy than said, that Ann was a real hero, taking the devil out of this world, and making the forest safer. We all decided on having a quite evening, and that tomorrow after breakfast, we would stroll to the pond again. We will invite Luna’s and Angel’s families also.

    It was good to get back to the pond with friends and family. We shared all the events that had happened. I felt much more at peace than last time we all converged on the pond. I was glad Lucifer was dead; he was the devil. I will need marijuana, for a few days, but I know I will be able to get weaned off of it soon. The forest already feels more peaceful and tranquil. I know that chase season is close though. We had a great time at the pond, but no world record rainbow trout, but several keepers were caught, and returned to the pond. We just wanted a nice peaceful day. Freezer is full of food so; we didn’t feel the need to end the life of any trout today. They provided us with fun catching them though. We all said our good byes.

    The next morning Lucy, James, Patches, and Lucille is headed back to their den. Sophia, Bud, Susie, Dottie, Ann, and myself leave to go visit Tom, Sue, and Jolene. It’s always good to see Tom, especially when I am not fully myself. We are the best of friends. Bud loves Tom also, due to them having the comradery of having caught the world record trout. We notice as we walking the trees, are hanging full again of acorns this this year. We should be all fat and happy this fall in our den.

    At Toms he was fixing a fire in his smoker, and then he said Well, looks like I’ll have to get more ribs out for everyone. Who is this you have with you. I introduced Ann to him. I said I will tell you about her later. I was thinking that I had come the right day. I love me some of Toms barbecue ribs. Sue was inside getting taters ready, to have fried taters and onions. Sue was surprise seeing Sophia, Susie, Dottie, and Ann come in. Sophia said I hope you don’t mind us stopping by. Sue said she was glad to see them, but who is this. This is Ann she is our friend. Sophia said, that she would help prepare taters and onions; Ann also helped. Susie went in and found the nursery rhyme book, and read the 3 little kittens, aloud to Dottie and Jolene. Bud was outside learning how to barbecue.

    A few hours later supper was served and it was a feast for all. We all set around, I began to tell Sue and Tom about Lucifer and what all transpired at the farm house. It helps both me and Ann to speak of the horrible ordeal. It helps us to heal, and try to get back to our normal selves, if that will ever happen, thanks to Lucifer. I tell of how I set outside and was listening, from under the window, when Ann speaks up, I need to tell the horrible ordeal. It will help me talking about that fucking devil, taking her innocence. She tells how she thought she knew Lucifer; she wanted a life with him. She continues with telling the story etc. and then said, I really didn’t know him at all. I knew what I wanted him to be, and what he, wanted me, to think he was. I have never hurt the way, I hurt after finding the truth of him, killing his own mom and dad. Also, he was responsible for farmer Browns death, and his wife’s, due to he was the one that killed Ceasar. Tom and Sue, was in total disbelief. The last they knew was farmer Brown, had killed Ceasar.

    Tom asked Ann what she would do now. She said, I will have to go tell my mom, dad, and brother of all this; they know nothing yet. I am sure they are worried about me. I havn’t been able to go face them, after this horrible ordeal. Tom said Well you know, we have a catfish pond nearby. They bite best after dark so, let’s go and relax a little down by the pond. Everyone thought that was a great idea. Tom said, he doesn,t have enough poles for everyone, we would have to share. The fishing was very good, we loaded 4 baskets of catfish, before going back to the den.

    The next morning after breakfast we were headed back to our den. Ann said I think I’m ready to go talk to my family. Will y’all please come with me. I said yes, we will be there, for anything you ever need. She said when we get there, for us to stay hidden, until she informs them, that a family of bears, would be entering her home.

    We are at her home; we stay at edge of woods while Ann goes inside. It wasn’t long until she came out to get us. She said, her mom had passed out, when she told her, that I have made friends with bears, and that y’all was outside ready to come in. We go in, and her mom said, I have seen everything now. My daughter can make friends with anyone. Her mom continues saying, she was afraid that Ann may have been dead. A few days ago, I had a visitor Lucifer’s older brother Dominick, he had said, he was coming over to check on Ann. He said, he knew that his dad didn’t approve of Ann, but after finding what appears to be a murder suicide, at their home. He said, he thinks Lucifer, had killed his mom and dad, then took his own life. He said after a toxicology test was done; it was found that that very high Fentanyl levels in all of them. Then Ann’s mom said, that Dominck knew Lucifer and Ann was close, so he came by to tell Ann. I told him I hadn’t seen you, I was afraid you were dead after hearing this from Dominick.

    Ann spoke up well yes, she knew they all was dead, but that was only part of that story is true. Lucifer did kill his mom and dad. He also killed Ceasar, and he was responsible for killing farmer Brown and his wife. Lucifer was the devil. I didn’t really know him. I was in love with him and we had hot sex for over 2 hours. Then I found his dad and then his mom they both was dead. She tells the whole story to her mom and dad. Then continues about how her and Ben had killed him. They were in shock, as she was telling the story. Her mom came over and hugged her, as they both was crying. Her mom said OMG, I can’t believe this happened to you, what a true-life nightmare.  Her dad then speaks up, that no one else needs to know the true story. It is believed to be a murder suicide, and needs to remain this way. Everyone agreed to this. Ann said I will always hate that bastard; he took my innocence; I had saved myself for the one, I would spend my life with. I don’t know if I can ever be with another man, the way I feel now. Ann thanked all of us for coming by. She said I didn’t know and I was scared, of what her mom and dad would say. I know they are here for me so I will stay. But just know I will be coming by from time to time. I tell Ann she is always welcome. Ann also tells us that we were welcome, at her home anytime, we wanted to stop by. Her mom said yes and she promise not to pass out again.

    We made it back to our den and had a little supper, and we were just glad that our life is beginning to get back somewhat normal. I decided to have a cigarette to smoke, I now think that only an occasional cigarette, is all I will be needing. As I look at the calendar, I realized that chase season will be starting this Saturday. What terror will the dogs bring this season?

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  • Lucifer

    Lucifer

                 As I go outside to see who the hell, could be knocking at midnight on my den’s door. I smell a familiar smell, it’s the smell that I smelled yesterday at Ceasar’s, after finding his body. I hear a familiar voice saying, I’m sorry for bothering you so late tonight. It’s the 18-year-old farmers son. I was in no mood to deal with him tonight! I tell him, I have had a long day, and that I would come see him tomorrow. He agreed, as I closed the door. I’m thinking what kind of favor does he need of me, I wished I didn’t owe him this favor. What kind of hell will he bring to my life? Our family has already lived hell today!

                I go back in and sit beside Sophia, as she is telling Red Riding Hood nursery rhyme to the cubs. Bud said who was at the door. I tell him it was the farmers son. He then wants to know what he wanted. I said it was late and I told him I would come over to his house tomorrow, to see what he wants. I’m terrified as to what this favor, he may want of me. I know it couldn’t be good, as he had protected James and myself from his dad. It’s time to pay my favor back!

                Sophia read the story, of Red Riding Hood, everyone was still awake, they said, they were now afraid to sleep, the big bad wolf might come get them tonight. We tell them it’s just a make-believe nursery rhyme. Sophia then turns the page to read Teddy Bears Picnic. Half way though this nursery rhyme the cubs are now sound asleep. Sophia and I reflect on the day. We talk of the good times but also about the darkness, of how Ceasar was killed. She asked how I was doing. I tell her not very well, but the marijuana would help him again, to get through this. Last question she asked was about the 18-year-old farmers son, why did he come over so late at night. I then told her about how he saved James and myself from his dad, after we had killed his hogs. He had told us then, we owe him a favor, and I think he came to collect it. I told him I would come by tomorrow. Sophia was more worried now, that not only had they loss Ceasar today, but what dark favor does the 18-year-old- farmer-son want of Benjiman.

                After a sleepless night, I arose and Sophia has bacon and eggs cooking, along with some sourdough bread. She tells me to wake the cubs, that she has breakfast was almost ready. She had a wonderful breakfast that we all enjoyed. I lose my memory but for only a few minutes, as to what I must do this morning. I tell everyone to behave today, I don’t know when I will return. I must go across the mountain to the farm. Sophia tells me to be careful. I gave nose rubs to all the cubs and Sophia. Bud asked Sophia, if they could go down to the stream, he needs to practice fishing. She said yes.

                After crossing the mountain and going down to the farm, I see the old farmer go in his barn. The 18-year-old is over working on his car. I go over to him and said I’m here. I can smell that smell again, I guess it’s just farmer thing. He said I haven’t introduced myself yet, but my name is Lucifer. I guess you are wondering why, I came by last night. I said yes, I assume you are wanting me to repay your favor. Lucifer said, well no not exactly, I want to help you. I have heard about Ceasar being killed. I know as you know, that farmer Brown killed Ceasar. I would kill that son of a bitch myself, but you see with human laws, I would be put in prison for life, for taking a life. If you were to kill him, it would be an act of nature. Nothing would be done to you. I know nothing would make you happier right now, than for you to see that BASTARD dead. I agreed with him, but I’m confused. You probably know, I was already planning to kill him. Yes, but I also know, you have a heart gold, and it would be hard for you to kill anything, that wasn’t food. I agreed with him, it would be hard, but I think I may be able to.

                Lucifer said I’m going to help you, so that it will be so easy for you to kill him. Here take these two marijuana cigars, you need to smoke them 15 minutes prior to breaking down his damn door. The cigars will give you the mental edge, that you will need, to rip his fucking ass apart. I am now so confused, as I tell him he has smoked a lot of marijuana, and it give him the opposite effect, it calms him down. He said yes, but these are special cigars. Just do as I ask, trust in me, you will kill him with no trouble. I do want him dead, so I agreed. I know when I get close to farmer’s Brown house, I will smoke both cigars, but I would be so calm, I couldn’t kill a possum, laying right at my feet. I decided I would slip by the den, and get a fishing pole, so I can fish afterwards.

                With my pole in hand, I am headed to farmers Brown’s. I am now insight of farmers Browns house; I see him go into the house. I feel very angry right now, I should just go confront now. If I smoke the marijuana, I will be so chilled and unable to kill him. But I decided to follow Lucifer directions, he did say they was magic marijuana cigars. I light the cigar as I take a couple puffs, I blow out purple smoke. This marijuana has a slightly different taste, but I’m enjoying the purple smoke, I am not feeling calm. I am feeling very angry, as I snapped my fishing pole in half, I continued smoking the first cigar. I light the second one thinking how much I hate, that damn farmer Brown. With my head now just in a total spin, I draw in the last couple puffs of the cigar. I take off in a full gallop and break the door down. The Farmer’s wife was in front of me screaming, as I pushed her out of the way. She is just lying there; OMG the blood was everywhere. I guess I didn’t know my own strength. I had killed her but, in my drug, induced rage I didn’t care.

                I heard a loud noise and then I felt a little fly land on me. This was repeated 5 times, I see Farmer Brown in front of me, he is holding his shotgun, with smoke still coming out of it. I guess those flies were his bird shot hitting me. I calmly walk over to him; he raises his shotgun and hits me over the head. His shotgun barrel looks like a boomerang now, the stock is splintered into a thousand pieces laying on the floor. I hardly felt it as he hit me just another fly. With just one swipe of my paw, I ripped his body open, his body hits the wall of the house, the whole house shook like an earthquake. I go over to the lifeless body, and snatch his heart, from his lifeless body and ate it. I then ran up to the pond, and laid down in a mud wallow. The dirty deed is done, farmer Brown is dead.

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  • Ceasar

    Ceasar

                After breakfast we get all our poles and a couple of baskets, and head toward Luna’s, she will be our first stop, as we getting close to the stream Bud takes off running to our right. Oh, he is going to the sliding board and hollers for Susie and Dottie to join him, which they did. Bud hits the pool and comes out with a 10-inch native trout. We gave them 10 minutes to play and fish in the pool, then I said, it is time to go, we have a busy day today. I’m having a thought I haven’t had yet this year. I need a sow, to call my own. Will today be the day?

                While we were heading toward Luna’s den, we run into blackberries and raspberries which we ate some and picked some. Sophia said if we come across berries, we can take some to Luna and to Angel. We filled one basket with the blackberries and raspberries. Dottie wanted to fill the second one, but Sophia said that’s for blueberries and huckleberries. Wasn’t long until we found them, the cubs were chowing down, and then filled the basket.

                We are now at Luna’s and she is outside with 2 sow cubs, she said maverick has gone hunting. We give her the 2 baskets of berries, which she dumped into her baskets.  I said who do we have here. Luna said the one with the white v on chest is Susan, and the other one is Heather. I tell her they are precious as I go over and playing with them, Luna brushes up against me a couple times. I must tell myself; to control myself we are just friends nothing more.

                I then tell her I had named the boar in honor of Oliver. How, I mean Bud sounds nothing like Oliver. I then tell her Bud after a Marijuana bear, she died laughing and was rubbing up against me, as she was laughing. I just wanted to turn and give her a big nose rub and a big bear hug. I couldn’t do that we are friends; she is with Maverick, and they have a precious family together. Maverick just came in with a large doe, he was very glad to see us. After all the introductions to maverick, I decided it was time to leave. I was feeling very uncomfortable with Luna and how she was rubbing up against me, I was afraid I may say or do something, that may harm our friendship. She is the most beautiful bear in the world.

                Ok, now we on our way to Angel’s, yes, we are picking berries for them also 2 baskets full. Angel is at the den with only 1 little sow cub name Elizabeth [Liz], she was black as coal even her snout was black. I asked where Samuel was and she said, oh he is at the pond fishing with Samuel Jr. [Junior/Jr]. Bud said, oh great let’s all of us go to the pond. Angel said she would get the poles for her and Liz.

                Upon getting to the pond, Bud said is this the ocean, I have never seen such a large body of water. Samuel laughs and said no this is farmers Brown’s pond. The 5-acre pond looked huge, compared to the small pools in the stream. Samuel said that farmer Brown had restocked the pond, and there is some large rainbow trout in there. I showed everyone the one, I had caught, it was just over 20 inches. Bud said that’s nice rainbow trout, but he was going to catch one twice that size. We all laughed at his optimism.

                Although 10 minutes later, only Bud had caught any fish, 1 was 18-inch and the other a 21-inch rainbow trout. I tell Bud looks like he is quite the fisherbear.  Liz then says she has one, it was 19 inches then Angel caught one 15 inches. Everyone now except Bud was catching fish. He said that’s ok I’m just waiting for that world record rainbow trout. He knew he would be catching a trout over 40 inches. Samuel was ready to go, so his family all went back to their den, I told them we wanted to visit Ceasar. Angel said, she would have supper ready when we get back, and she would invite Maverick and Luna. Well, looks like I will have to stay my distance from Luna. Doesn’t look like we are going to catch a world record rainbow trout today, as we headed towards Ceasars. We just left our poles hidden in the brush, since we would be coming back by the pond, on the way to Angel’s.

                Headed towards Ceasar’s I just had a funny feeling, that something was wrong. The forest is too quiet. No bugs or birds making their joyful singing noise. No squirrels barking or crows a crowing. I just not sure what up, but I have an uneasy feeling. We continued on our way and not even a squirrel is a stirring. As we arrived at Caesar’s den, I tell everyone to stay outside, that I’ll go inside to make sure everything is OK. I go in and hollered Ceasar, with no answer I continued into the kitchen, I’m noticing stuff had been knocked in the floor. This is not normal for Ceasar, he keeps his den very clean; I have never seen his kitchen in such a mess. About then I hear what sounds like Bud screaming; it sounded like the scream was coming from the bedroom. As I go into the bedroom, I see Ceasar’s lifeless body, is lying on the floor, with a large pool of dark coagulated blood around his head, there was a large 1-inch diameter hole, in the side of his head. I immediately think back to the time Ceasar said farmer Brown, wasn’t all that bad. I know back when he said that, I was thinking farmer Brown was his big supplier for marijuana. Could of farmer Brown killed him. I looked all around, it looks like whoever killed him, took his marijuana, there was only a possum bag left to be found. I must smoke a cigar; how will I tell Sophia. I sat there and smoked the Cigar, before I got up and went outside to tell Sophia. She was so distraught I rolled us both a cigar. She said everyone loved Ceasar, who could have killed Ceasar. I tell her of my suspicions. She said she thought he was a good guy, other than protecting his rainbow trout’s.

                After we had finished off the possum bag, I tell Sophia to take all the cubs with her to the pond and fish with the cubs. He would be doing some investigating, to find out who may have killed Ceasar.

                At the pond the fishing is good everyone is catching 15 to 20-inch trout. Bud is now getting a little upset now, he knew he would have had a world record trout by now. They plan to fish until Ben shows back up.

                While in Ceasar’s den, I could pick up a scent, I will follow this scent, I will have found my killer. The scent is leading him towards the pond, but then cuts down the mountain, before he gets to the pond. It is leading towards farmer Bowns house. I have his house insight now; it’s an old Victorian farm house that has Virginia creeper growing all over the house. It has an evil gothic feeling to it, as I look at it. I get a very uneasy feeling, as I approach the porch. The scent doesn’t appear to go up on the porch, for some reason it seemed to have stopped at the porch. The door then creeps open, It’s the farmer’s Browns wife. Why are you here she said. I’m here because your husband killed Ceasar. She looked shocked when I told her that. She said that’s impossible, he has been right here, for the last 2 days in bed sick. I didn’t believe her, but I was ready to leave. One last thing before I leave, can I buy a deer bag of marijuana from you. She asked big drawer or small drawer, I said big! She brought it to me, and I thanked her. I knew I would be back! A few yards away from the house, I see a nursery rhyme book, it must of came from Ceasar’s den, I picked it up to take with me.

    I headed back to get Sophia and all the cubs. I smoked a large marijuana cigar as I was headed to the pond. I wanted to kill farmer Brown, he has taken our great friend, Ceasar, from us, the whole forest will mourn the loss of Ceasar. I wanted some PCP laced marijuana now. This would help me, to kill that damn evil farmer Brown. I need to chill out, before I get to Sophia and the cubs. I sat down and chained smoked 4 more cigars; I have never had so much hate in my heart. I feel as though I’ve calmed enough to go to the pond. As I’m getting to the pond I had to spring into action, Bud’s pole was bent double, he was holding onto his pole for dear life. He had his pole in his front paws, and hind paws were trying to dig into the ground. I believe he may have his world record rainbow trout, on his line. I get to him, as he was pulled into the water, I dived in to help Bud, once he entered the water, he was forced to let go of his fishing pole. I help Bud, to the bank of the pond, then I go diving for his fishing pole. I found it and I get out of the pond. I handed Bud his pole, as he was winding it in, I believe his world record rainbow trout has gotten off his pole.

                Bud said, I had my world record trout, I loss him this time but next time he will be mine. All this excitement was what I needed I’m calmer now, than I have been since discovering Ceasar’s lifeless body. I had all the cubs fishing, while myself and Sophia talks. I tell her I followed the scent to farmer Browns porch and his wife, had covered for him saying, he hadn’t been out of the house in 2 days due to being sick. I was slightly perplexed that the scent didn’t go up on the porch. I then bought a deer bag of marijuana, which confirmed for me he is the big dealer and the killer. Bear season isn’t in, but he killed Ceasar. I chained smoked the marijuana, because I didn’t want the cubs to see me that upset, due to me being outrageously mad. Seeing Bud, being pulled into the pond has helped for now. But I know that farmer Browns days are numbered. Do I have it in me to kill him?

                We must stop by and let Samuel and Angel know about Ceasar. Angel will be heartbroken of losing her granddad. They both will be devasted. I will let them tell Maverick and Luna. I let it slip to Sophia, I didn’t feel comfortable when we were there, due to her rubbing up against me. I told her it probably wasn’t anything, but since I love her, it was tearing my heart out of my chest, not being with her.  Sophia said she thought that was getting easier on me. Yes, but when I’m with her, she brushes against me, it’s all I can do to keep my paws off of her.

                We are now at Samuel’s and Angel’s and tell them. They are heart broken. Samuel said he had noticed how silent the forest was, but he didn’t know why. I asked Samuel to go outside with me. I tell Samuel everything I know about farmer Brown, and his wife defended him, saying he had been laid up sick. Samuel said I don’t know, but from everything I have ever known about farmer Brown, he was a good guy, as long he didn’t catch you, fishing in his pond. The scent my nose was following went to his porch. It must be him that had killed Ceasar. I tell Samuel I will kill him.

                I hear Maveric, Luna, Susan, and Heather say we are here. With all that has happened today. I had totally forgotten; we were having supper with everyone tonight. Well, they must know about Ceasar, I tell the whole story again and they were so upset, Luna said the forest will not be the same. Luna gave me a big hug I gave her a big hug back. It really feels like we should be together, but I cannot let her know I have feelings, other than as friends.

                Angel had a big supper fixed that was delicious. We needed to get back to our den, so we tell everyone goodbye, and off to our den. When we get to the stream the cubs wanted to play in the pool, so we let them to burn off some energy. We stayed at the pool until midnight and then we went to our den.

                We go in and I handed Sophia the rhyme book I had found. I tell her I think it had come from Ceasar den, but I found it outside of farmer Brown’s house. About then I hear a knock at the entrance of our den! Who the hell could be outside our den, after midnight tonight? I am in no mood tonight for company!

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  • Spring Becomes Summer

    Spring becomes Summer

                Its 1am now, yes, keeping the cubs up all day, until 10 pm didn’t work either. They are rambunctious and wanting to play. We were able to get them back to sleep at 3am and slept until 6am. We did get slightly more sleep last night, but far from what we used to getting. A bear likes to sleep.

                We had breakfast and I decided to do some remodeling around the house, for the cubs to their own room work? Or is sleep just not going to happen, in this den? Bud was very interested in what I was doing, and tried to help a little. Susie and Dottie were helping Sophia to clean the house, and then they slipped outside and went to the stream to fish. Sophia took 2 baskets to fill full of trout. She was hoping, she remembers how to fish the old-fashioned bear way. With Lucy and Ben fishing for her, other than with a pole in hand, she hadn’t done any fishing to fill the freezer. Both Susie and Dottie were having fun. They tried to catch a few fish but wasn’t quite able to catch any. Sophia at first was very rusty, but it did get better. She caught both baskets full from 7 inches to 19 inches but she was very proud of her biggest native trout at 21 inches.

                Back at the den I was having a blast with Bud, he was keeping me on my toes. He wasn’t a good helper yet but he did try. My biggest issue was he be with me one second, then he be gone the next second. I believe Bud was looking for Susie and Dottie, they had never been separated before. But the new room will be complete for the cubs tonight, with a lockable door. I think myself and Sophia will get some much-needed sleep tonight.

                Sophia is back and said, WOW, the new room is looking good. She hopes for a good night’s sleep tonight. She said for me to stay with all the cubs and make sure they all stay active. Sophia is going to fry up some of the fresh native trout and some greens with bacon. It wasn’t long until she said supper is on. After supper we all stayed up until midnight talking, we felt sad due to talking about Oliver. The cubs were rough housing in the floor. Sophia went into their new bedroom, and gave them one last drink of her milk. I stayed in the living room and had me a cigarette. Hoping it would help me rest, and get a goodnight sleep. When Sophia showed up, she said roll her one also. So, I rolled 2 and after we finished, we went to bed.

                The next morning at 8 am I wake up to screaming, Sophia said they are gone. I go into where Sophia is screaming, they had somehow gotten the door unlocked and was gone. I tell Sophia he was sure they probably down at the stream. He would go down and get them, and you stay here and fix a picnic breakfast to bring down to the stream. She agreed but was hesitant, as she felt she needs to be out looking for them also, in case they are not at the stream. As I get to the stream, everyone was in the deep pool, Susie, Dottie and then pops up was Bud with a 14-inch native trout in his mouth. Look everyone my very 1st trout I caught all by myself. I must say he made his older brother proud.  All the cubs then were trying to catch another trout, no more trout was caught this morning.

                Sophia shows up and 1st thing out of her mouth. Listen here all of you, don’t y’all ever scare me like that again. If y’all ever leave the den without letting me know I’ll beat y’all’s ass so hard you can’t sit down for a month. All the cubs said yes Ma’am. Sophia then says anyone hungry; I have a picnic basket. After a healthy and filling breakfast I tell everyone let’s go on an overnight adventure. Everyone was excited. I wanted to go and visit Tom and Sue and see their cubs.

                As we are going to Toms, the woods were loaded with fresh fruits. We had our fill of strawberries in the meadow and then the black berries and raspberries were so delicious. Buds favorite though, was when we were higher on the mountains, and found the blueberries, he was gorging himself on them. We also found huckleberries and that was Susie and Dottie’s favorite. One thing for sure we all not skinny anymore from hibernation.  

                We get to Tom’s den and no one is in there, so we go in and we were tired from the long trip, and we all take a nap. We all was awaking when Tom, Sue and Joelene comes in. Tom said this is Jolene, we had 2 cubs but one was dead when we woke up from hibernation. I tell Tom how sorry we were for their loss. He said its ok, we have this precious Jolene I couldn’t be happier. He then said that it was normal for some of the cubs not to make it. Then he asked who we had. I said this is my older brother Bud, I tell him I had named him, honoring Oliver, and how I came about the name. Both Tom and Sue laugh being named for a marijuana bud. Then I said this is Susie, I named her after you Sue, and finally we have Dottie, Sue said I guess due to that white dot on her chest.

                Sue says I wished I knew y’all was coming, I would have had a plenty of strawberry rhubarb pies made. She then said if Ben and Tom would make the main course, you can help me Sophia to make the pies. Let’s see that would be 4 big pies and 4 little ones. Sophia said she would love to help.

                Tom said I’ve been saving this for a special occasion I have 2 racks of ribs in the freezer. How would you like Barbecue ribs, Ben. I Said sounds delicious I have heard of them, but I have never eaten any. But I do have ribs in my freezer, so helping you prepare will be great. He said go outside and place some wood in the smoker and light it. Wow I don’t have a smoker, I guess I’ll have to get one or build one. After I had lit the smoker I came inside, Tom had cut the ribs in half, and was putting a lot of seasonings on it. We then take them outside, and place on the racks of the smoker. He said he normally likes to slow smoke them, over about a 12-hour period. We need them to be done before we go to bed so we will have more heat and cook a little quicker. They won’t be as good, as if cooked slowly but still will be good.

                It’s now 9pm, a little later than we normally eat, but everything is ready to eat. Tom tells me to take the 1st bite, OMG I thought I had died and went to heaven, it was so delicious. All the cubs had barbecue sauce all over them, but they looked like they were enjoying the ribs. Sophia and Sue also were enjoying, and Sue went in to get the pies, she brought out the four small one’s 1st. The cubs were so happy everyone finished theirs at the same time so no fighting tonight. Then we ate ours and thanked Sue for them.

                We stayed up and talked a little while, the cubs played and rough housed. We tell them that we were living in Toms old den, due to was too many cubs at Lucy’s. I tell them Lucy had 2 Cubs Patches the boar bear and Lucille named after lucy. Sue said yes, there were a few sleepless nights here also, then she remembered the nursery rhyme book, from when she was just a little cub. I have read 1 or 2 rhymes every night, and they sleep all night long. I’m thinking I’m glad it works for Jolene, but you don’t know our cubs yet.

                Its bed time now and we have 2 area’s, that we will sleep in, one for the cubs, then one for us older bears. Sue goes in and tells all the cubs to gather around; I hear Once upon a time there was there was a little girl whose hair was so bright and yellow etc. etc. by the end of the rhyme all 4 of the cubs was sound asleep. I heard snoring Tom was also. We all went to bed and left Tom, where he was a snoring.

                We woke up the next morning at 8 am and the cubs were still snoozing including Tom. I tell Sophia we have to go to the Bears Goodwill store and get one; she said that’s a must. We have breakfast before heading back to our den.

                On way back to den 2 yearling does is standing close to us, so I know this may be some easy food for us. I tell Sophia watch after the cubs, he was going try to get us some fresh deer. She said OK. I take out after the deer, when I hear Sophia yell out Bud STOP; I continued the hunt and chased the deer into the steep rocks and kill the 1st one. By then there is Bud right beside me, he said he get the other one. I knew he was too small, but I let him have a little fun, before I went in and finished killing the deer. Bud said that was so much fun. I want to be your hunting, Bud.

                We get the 2 deer back down to where Sophia and the 2 little sows were, and Sophia dragged one back to the den, and I dragged the other one back to the den. Sophia, Susie, and Dottie go in to the kitchen to prepare supper, while Bud and myself stay outside, to dress and bag the deer for freezing. Sophia has prepared some ham and green beans, seasoned with bacon and some sourdough bread. We had a delicious supper, and go in the living room and stayed up until midnight. I don’t have a rhyme book yet, so I tried the story that Lucy had told last night. At some spots I made up my own version. Before I got to the end, they all was snoozing.

                I tell Sophia tomorrow we will go and visit Luna and Maverick and see their new family, also go to see Samuel and Angel and their new family. We will take enough fishing poles, and stop at the pond, hopefully farmer Brown has stocked the pond by now. We can also go visit Ceasar, he may have a rhyme book. Sophia is concerned of fishing in the pond with the cubs!

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  • Spring Time with the Cubs

    Spring Time with the Cubs

    James and myself are hunting to get some meat. We have lot of hog meat now, but we could use some deer, turkey, and possum meat. I hate leaving Bud, but a bear must do what a bear must do. James is telling Lucille and Patches goodbye. We know possums are so easy to kill, and high fat content, so we know of a holler not far away, down close to the stream, that usually has a lot of possums. When getting there they are everywhere, we have hit the jackpot. We killed 26 possums, we are going to need the baskets, to get that many back to our den. I told James, I’ll go get 4 baskets, he said OK. I’ll continue hunting. He was only able to kill 2 more possums. Then a flock of turkeys came by, and he had the best day ever for turkeys, out of 35 turkeys in the flock, he killed 13 of them. James is becoming a master hunter, Oliver taught him well. I’m back with the baskets, the possums had filled the baskets, so we took them back to the den, and then went back to get all the turkeys. Today has been a good day.

    The next Day James told me that him and Lucy, will try to get some deer. I was happy I get to play with Bud, while they are gone hunting. I tell Sophia while she stays with 4 cubs, that I was going to take Bud for a walk down to the stream. She said they need another week, before going on such an outing. She agreed that the 2 of them would introduce all the cubs, to outside of the den. This was so much fun they had never been outside. At first every noise they heard they would freeze. I started teaching them, that they needed to climb a tree, when they see or hear something that scares them. You got it, Bud was the first one to go up the tree, followed by Patches. Before you knew it, they all was up in the tree tops having a blast, eating the fresh green leaves. I then showed them how to get down, 4 of them came on down, but not Bud. He had laid down on a limb, after having a full belly, and was taking a bear nap. Sophia went back in with the other 4 bears, and they all took a nap. It had been a long day with the adventures outside. I decided to nap under the tree, until Bud comes down. I was wakened up by a thump, when Bud landed with a large thump on my back. Before I could stop him, he was headed for the stream. I ran after him, he was quick, though at times was more of a roll, then a run for him. He jumped right in the stream, and was having a blast. I jumped in with him and showed him how to fish. He a little young yet to be able to catch a fish himself. We then headed up to the den. Sophia was mad at me, why are y’all all wet, you went to the stream after I told you not to. I couldn’t get a word in, to say, how he took off. and I had to run to catch him. Bud was over there being all innocent, and it looked like he was even grinning, due to the hell I was catching from Sophia.

    Wasn’t long after that James and Lucy shows up with 4 yearlings does. I tell them, they had really helped to fill the freezer. James then said, y’all nothing, I told Lucy this was her hunt, she killed every one of those deer. Wow Lucy is stepping it up, she is a great hunter. She said, “Well duuhhh look behind you at those antlers, you have never killed such a buck as that.”

    Sophia has now fixed a nice supper for us all, fried trout, fried taters, and onions. The cubs were given a plate first. Bud again was the first to finish but this time Dottie finished right after he did. So, he went to Susie’s bowl and bullied her and finished her fish for her. OK Bud, got his nerve up and goes over to Patches plate, and a huge fight breaks out. This time after the dust settled, Bud was the winner. He walks over and finishes Patches plate of fish. Is Bud going to be the alpha cub? As of right now it looks like it, but there will be more fights to see who is the alpha cub.

    Nights seem like they going to be interesting also. Once you get a couple of the cubs asleep, the others are so rambunctious it wakes them up. It was after 1am, before we get them to sleep tonight. And at 4 am there were 2 of them awake and rough housing with each other. How will we ever get any sleep?

    Next morning during breakfast, when Bud tried to eat Lucille’s food, she whipped his ass but good. He had a high pitch scream as he was being chased away from her food. James said that’s my girl. After breakfast it was determined by Sophia, that my idea of taking the cubs to the stream to play, wasn’t a bad idea after all. We need to keep all the cubs busy all day long, and maybe we can get some sleep tonight. I told Sophia, I would stay at the den, where everyone else takes the cubs to the stream. My plan was to get some much-needed sleep. Sophia says, “Oh no you not staying behind and think you will sleep. You got just as much sleep everyone else did. This is going to be a family outing.” While at the stream the cubs had so much fun. There was a steep bank that came down to a deep pool. They used this steep bank as a sliding board. They are really using up their energy, we may sleep tonight. After the cubs was getting bored, playing in the creek, and deep pool. We decided we would walk down to the road, then make the 6 to 7 miles hike, to where we can cut up to Tom’s old den. While walking the road which is now in good shape, we saw 2 cars, I heard the people inside the 1st car say, I have never seen so many bears, 2 sows 2 boars and 5 little cubs. The 2nd car stopped and got out and was taking a bunch of pictures of us, I felt like a movie star.

    We then cut up to Tom’s old den, it is just like I left it. I told Sophia we could move in here with her cubs, and let James and Lucy have their den back. Sophia said no maybe later, I love having all the family together. I said OK but, in the future, we could move in here. I would feel closer to Tom and Sue.

    We now cut across the mountain to our den. We haven’t been able to go our regular pace with the cubs, it’s been much slower. It will be 2 to 3 hours after dark, before we get back to the den. Due to lack of sleep, I’m ready to just go to bed tonight, and sleep but Sophia said, “we have to put on weight from being in hibernation.”

    We get back to the den and Sophia and Lucy, fix some backstraps and greens with bacon, also some porridge for the cubs. Myself and James took a bear nap. It didn’t seem but 5 minutes, when Sophia yelled supper is ready. All 5 cubs were curled up together, and out cold. Myself and James went in to eat. Sophia said where the cubs, I said sound asleep, she said, “Well they have to eat, so I woke them up.” They ate all their food and were back just a playing. We finished our supper, and we all was ready to turn in. We go into the bedroom but none of us got to sleep until after 2am and was awake again at 5 am That little nap was all the cubs needed for a while.

    Sophia said “OK Ben you win I’m beyond ready to move. 3 cubs are going to be a lot easier to handle than 5 cubs. I’m going to fix breakfast, and you can be getting our stuff ready, to go to Tom’s old den.” I was extremely happy with Sophia changing her mind. The only food I’m taking with us, is half of the hog meat, I’ll hunt closer to our new den for other game to harvest. While getting all packed up, there was a familiar smell the sourdough bread, it smelled wonderful. We haven’t had any since last winter; the kitchen smells wonderful. All the cubs must have thought so also, of how good it smelled, here they come into the kitchen, this was the first time they had come in by their selves. Sophia had made 4 large loafs, and 5 baby loafs of bread, she fixed for the cubs, The cubs all got half their bread with honey, the other half was plain, also a bowl of porridge. Everyone had eaten everything at about the same time, except apparently Patches liked the bread with honey best, he hadn’t eaten any of the plain sour dough bread, so here comes Bud to claim it, and a fight ensued. Patches won the fight, and decided he better eat the rest of his bread.

    Well, we have eaten and packed our belongings, Sophia was going to help clean the kitchen for Lucy. Lucy said no she has all day, go ahead and go to y’all’s new den, you will be busy until dark. Lucy and James had to hold Patches and Lucille; they wanted to follow the other cubs. They had always been together so they wanted to stay together. We are making good time going to the den.

    Once at the den Sophia said she would clean and unpack everything, if I wanted to go hunting, and try to get some game for supper. I go up the mountain planning on getting a deer up in the steep rocks. But a flock of turkeys happened along. I was able to harvest 5 turkeys, one being a 30-pound gobbler with a 14-inch beard. I’m thinking about Lucy, and her huge antlers hanging on the den wall, so I decided this beard would go on my wall. I have never heard of one being killed around here that large.

    I get back to the den and Sophia said Well everything is all clean and unpacked, looks like we are having turkey for supper tonight she said. Wow that’s a huge gobbler you got there. I didn’t know they would grow that big. I cut off the beard and it’s hung on the wall. I said that’s for Lucy when she visits us. I said I was going in and lay down, she said like hell you are. You keeping these monsters awake, until we all lay down about 10pm tonight.

    She said that it was time to eat, we all had our supper and yes, of course Bud is being his normal bully self, and finished off both Susie’s and Dottie’s food, they gave it up with no fighting. We all go into the living room; we make sure all the cubs stayed awake and were rough housing until after 10pm. As we were laying down, I’m thinking OK great, we have figured out the right combination, for a good night’s sleep!

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  • Tom and Sue

    Tom and Sue

    The next morning as Sophia feared, I was thinking about leaving tonight to go and check on Tom. I will have to take the path we did last night, using the creek to wash away my scent. Sophia wants me to stay. I said my other blood brother may need me. Well at least we will have today, our new smaller family, she is bawling. We get into a group bear hug, then I roll a huge cigar for everyone. They sit and smoke the cigars, everyone has their own tales about Oliver, that they shared with each other. Our mood is improving, having our discussion about Oliver, along with the cigar that everyone was smoking. Sophia says she will fix breakfast and Lucy said I want to help you. It’s been a while since we have cooked together. I tell them that a little berry cobbler would be good for dessert. Lucy said, “you will get whatever we fix.” Yes, Ma’am I said. I asked James if she always that sassy now. James says, “yes Sophia had taught her to stand up for herself and unfortunately she wears the pants in our household.” I remember the day y’all moved into y’alls den and how Sophia had jumped you and Oliver and then she told Lucy to take notes on how to keep her bear in check. I about died a little latter when Lucy had told you she would cut you off. She learned quickly from Sophia.

    Wasn’t long that the den was being permeated by delicious smelling aromas. I know, I smell sausage which we don’t get very often, and the unmistaken smell of sourdough bread. Lucy says it’s almost ready y’all can’t come in until its done.

    We hear Lucy say come and get it. Along with the sausage and sourdough bread was eggs and porridge. There was a loaf of bread for each of us. I must say I was disappointed no berry cobbler. We all dug in and had a feast of bears. I’m fat but happy now, and about to go into the living room and lucy say’s hold on I have something else. She walks over to the oven and pops out a berry cobbler for everyone. My eyes lit up and I tell Lucy how great of a sister she is. She about in tears, tells me I’m a great brother, and she couldn’t stand it, if she was to lose me. Then myself and James, excuse ourselves to the living room, Lucy speaks up, ok Sophia and myself is going into the living room, for our break now, while y’all clean the kitchen, and don’t forget to clean the oven well, the berry cobbler had spilled and is now baked on. I’m thinking to myself, damn you Sophia, you are the cause of this. But then I remembered we all must all help each other out. James says he will clean the whole kitchen; I only need to clean the oven. I said deal, in about 20 minutes James said he was done with the kitchen. This damn oven with everything baked on so hard, I’m not even half done. Then James speaks up Yeah, I’ve had to clean the oven twice now, after Lucy fixes cobblers. 30 minutes later the oven is clean.

    I go into the living room and it is filled with smoke. Sophia and Lucy have a very fat cigar, that they were smoking. I was thinking I don’t even need to roll one for myself, I just have to inhale. Well, I rolled me a fat Cigar and everyone else almost done with theirs, said to roll them another one, so I did. The household is calm and we are talking, and having a family meeting. Sophia then speaks up and tells me she wants to know everything that I know about Oliver’s death, and events afterwards. I just told her I was sitting on the hill, with James and we heard Dale and Rob talking about how that son a bitch killed 3 dogs, and that they glad he is dead. Then while waiting for help to get Oliver out of the mountains, they ripped open his belly and pulled his guts, lungs, and his heart out. Sophia screams OH MY GOD, I cannot hear any more right now.

    We changed what we were talking about, and started talking of all the happy times, the family had together. We talked about this spring, when we had come out of hibernation, and sliding down to the stream. How Lucy caught the largest native trout and I started a fight with her. How Oliver broke the fight up and made me apologize to Lucy. I then said I miss him so much. I then talk about Rob calling Oliver the marijuana bear because of his weight after field dressing was 420 pounds. I tell everyone looks like we have become the marijuana family, I then remind everyone, that we need to do other means of finding joy, before turning to the marijuana. For like the next 3 days lets agree to keep it in our system we need it now. After 3 days we must try to get weaned off the marijuana. The family agreed to this. We sat there full from breakfast and didn’t even think about eating lunch. Lucy says around 5 pm she a little hungry now and its mine and James’s turn to fix supper. I look at Lucy like that’s women’s work, I was going to tell her that, she can’t cut me off. Then I thought, she is right, this is a family, we all need to share responsibilities.

    I tell James let’s just do fried fish and fried tatters. Then we can also do a berry cobbler. James said yes sounds delicious. We both prepared the tatters to fry and get the fish battered up. James will do all the frying while I fix the cobbler. I mixed all the ingredients including the honey. Now I’m placing it in the oven thinking about payback maybe, I’ll spill a little cobbler. Well supper is on and we call the sows to the kitchen. Everyone enjoyed the fish and taters. Then I brought out the cobbler. Lucy says wow twice in a day I don’t think I have ever had cobbler twice in a day. After supper, I tell Lucy she has the stove and Sophia can clean the kitchen. Wow, that look could have cut right through me. I go in the living room and I hear Lucy say damn you, the oven is clean. I just knew it was going to be a mess. Lucy then helps Sophia to make quick cleaning of the kitchen.

    We sit around in the living room and have us a cigarette we are calm but we need to keep a level in our body. We had a good time talking for a couple hours, and then I said it was time, for myself to leave to go and check on Tom and Sue. Everyone was sad to see me go, James wanted to go with me. I said no Sophia and Lucy need a boar bear around the den until I return.

    So down to the stream I go and I walked the stream though the culvert and then follow the stream a good way to hide my scent. I continue out the mountain, staying about half way up the mountain where my scent won’t be as noticeable for the bear hounds. As I’m going, I decided to check on the young bear couple I met before meeting Tom. I get to their den and knock; no answer I go in the den is empty. Where are this young couple? Are they OK?

    I then decide it’s time to go and check on Tom and Sue, I hope they are ok! I get to their den, and it looks very different, everything has been moved to one area. Tom says hello brother, how are you doing. I tell Tom I’m not doing very well, that Oliver was killed, day before yesterday. Tom was very sad to hear this. I then ask if he had seen the other young couple and he says oh yes Myself and Sue watched both them, get shot from the same tree, day before yesterday. We heard hounds and thought, they were coming for us. But they were chasing the other couple, and the dogs were almost catching them, they went up a tree. They remained treed in that tree, for almost 2 hours when the hunters came, and shot them both out of the tree. I said that’s horrible they seemed really nice. I then thinking OMG where is Sue. So, I ask Tom where was Sue. About that time, I hear Sue say I’m here in the bedroom, as she comes out with a paw full of their belongings. I asked what’s going on. Tom says after watching them being shot, Sue states she knows of a county, 2 counties away that doesn’t allow bear hunting, and you can grow big and old there. So, we have decided to move there. I tell Tom that I would miss him brother. And he said yes, I can’t thank you enough helping to get my life back, and finding and helping me get this marvelous sow.

                They said they would be moving out tonight after dark and it is illegal to kill bears after sundown. They said they going to lay down now for a bear nap, that everything is packed. I tell them, that I would snooze with them, if they didn’t mind. They were delighted I would be staying for a short period of time with them.

                Upon waking I had a great Idea; they have lots of stuff to transport so, I’ll help them move. Tom and Sue are now awake, I tell them, they were ecstatic. Tom says that the 2nd best thing that has ever happened to him, was me, and Sue was the best. I was happy being 2nd best.

                Time to go to work now, we all get all that we can carry, there were just a couple things left, Tom told me I could have anything left, on my return trip home. We have 45 miles to cover tonight to get into a safe county. So, it’s no Lolley gagging around, we are on a mission to complete.

                We have made it inside the county lines and is safe. Sue said there’s a small shelter she knows of, only a mile away, that they can stay in, while searching for a good den. So, we go to this little shelter, she is right, its small, we must leave all their belonging outside, and the 3 of them retired for a bear nap. Once they wake up, they have a little to eat, we decide to head off in 3 different directions to look for a den. We will meet back here at dark.

                We all headed off in our own directions to find a den. Tom and Sue both get back to the shelter right at dark. They asked each other if they found a den or seen Ben. Their answers were no. They are wondering what could of happen to me. I was on my way back to them, but it would be over 4 hours after dark, before getting back to the shelter. I made it back after midnight, they were still awake hoping I was ok. I tell them the good news; I found a very nice and large and spacious den for them. I tell them it was almost dark when I found it. I was determined to find y’all a den, I knew the time frame that there was no way, I would make it back to the shelter before dark. I’m just so happy I found y’all a den.

                They get a good night’s sleep in their little shelter. Sue is so happy that she is getting a den, in a county that doesn’t allow bear hunting, and they can grow old together. The next morning it is getting all their belonging, to their new den. It didn’t take as long as yesterday, since I was zig zagging, trying to find a den. It only took us a little over 3 hours to get there. We had a quick snack to eat and Tom and myself head out hunting. Between the 2 of us, we were able to kill 3 deer, 2 turkeys, and a couple possums. Tom zig zagged until he was able to run down a rabbit also. We take all the game back to Tom’s new den, to dress and freeze. Sue said give her 3 of the back straps, and she will prepare them for supper tonight. She already had the den smelling delicious, that wonderful smell of sourdough bread.

                Sue said just rest after y’all get all the game in the freezer, and she will let us know when supper was ready. I was just remembering, it’s been over 2 days now since I have had any marijuana, but I’m so happy helping Tom and Sue. I havn’t had time to think about Oliver. About then, Sue said supper is ready. Tom and myself go in; wow she has a feast prepared. We all had a backstrap of deer. She also had both possums and rabbits fried to perfection. Collard greens prepared with 5 pounds of bacon, and a loaf of bread a piece. Sue tells me she wanted to make sure he ate good; I couldn’t thank you enough, for everything you have done for us this year. After eating our main course, Sue goes to the oven and out pops a strawberry rhubarb pie one for each of us. I tell Sue she trying to butter me up, to stay. Sue said you are always welcome here. I tell her thanks for the hospitality, but I will have to leave shortly, so I can get home before morning arrives. I feel good leaving y’all behind, knowing y’all are safe. I must get back to Sophia, Lucy, and James. I don’t know if they are even still alive! What will I find when getting back to the den?

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  • Marijuana Bear

    Marijuana Bear

                I hear the sound I heard earlier, of some kind of tool. I move from the door to the window so I can see what’s happening. It’s the hoist lifting Olivers lifeless body up in the air. I hear someone counting numbers as he is lifted further up off the ground, I hear 200, 275, 360, 390, 400, 415, and the final number was 420. Dale tells Rob, it looks like he has killed a marijuana bear. The place broke out in laughter, I could stand it no more. I broke the door down angerly and said, y’all all think it’s damn funny, that you killed my dad. I want y’all to meet my dad, his name was Oliver. My mom Sophia is waiting for him to return to our den. My sister Lucy, also lost her dad. Now y’all sick sense of humor, laughing and calling him the marijuana bear. He has never touched Marijuana, in his long life. But because his empty body with no entrails and his heart ripped from him, and his weight is equal to, what marijuana slang term is. I tell them, I could kill each one of y’all right now. Rob goes over to his counter, and gets out a drawer, some wrapping paper, and a small bag of green material. He rolls a large cigar and a small cigarette. He says Benjamin I’m so sorry, I have taken your dad’s life. Please come over here, and smoke a little marijuana with me. He hands me the cigar, and he lights his lighter, and lights mine up and then his. After smoking I felt slightly calmer, but was still very sad, and I was still mad at the entire hunting group, for killing my dad.

                Rob and myself, sat there with a cigar and cigarette in hand for several hours. Most everyone else was drinking beer and some hard liquor. Both Rob and Dale felt so bad, Rob comes up with a plan, to protect myself and my immediate family. Rob said that I’ve had enough heartache this season, and this is only 1st day of the season. He goes over and picks up 3 blaze orange ribbons, that could be worn over our neck. He said there is one for my mom, my sister, and myself. Each ribbon had a marijuana bud attached to it. He says he tell other hunters, not to shoot any bear wearing the blaze orange ribbons. Rob said, he can’t guarantee our safety, from the other hunters, but his group would honor the blaze orange ribbons.

    The door of the hunt club opened and it is old cripple, he is back from the hospital, and tells Rob to roll him one for the pain in his leg. He was shocked seeing a live bear with a marijuana cigar sitting smoking with rob. So, I stayed long enough to have 1 more cigar, I’m feeling very chill but sad, and I have a huge hole in my heart. I don’t know if James stopped by to tell Sophia. I hope he didn’t, she needs to hear this from me. We still have some marijuana at the den, but we are running low. Rob says, here take what have, it’s not much but you need it worse than I do. Old cripple said, can I just have 1 more cigar before you go, I rolled him a cigar, and thanked Rob for rest of it. God knows we going to need it.

    I head towards Sophia’s, when I was leaving Rob’s it’s a bright moon out tonight and the air is very crisp. I’m just a strolling along in my drug induced mind, where I’m not ready to kill everything, I see. I’m sad, I’m angry but the marijuana has me chilled. I feel as I just exist now; I have no purpose now. Oliver has been my world; Tom has his new mate, Sue; so, he doesn’t need me. As I get to Sophia’s den she said, “where have you been at.” Her next words were, that she is afraid that Oliver, may be in big trouble. He left out of here to protect Lucy and James. I heard those dreadful hounds chasing him. She then says she was afraid he may be dead. I tell her that I had seen his lifeless body, and that he was dead. I tell her of all the horrible events of that evening. I told of smoking marijuana with Rob, she has been in shock until now, once she heard I was smoking with the murderer, she went into a full outrage and anger. She orders me to get the fuck out of her den. If you can set and smoke with that murderous bastard, I don’t need you here, get the fuck out. I had 2 rolled cigars, I laid them on the counter, as I went outside. I hope she will pick them up, and smoke them, while I sleep beside a rock outside. I’m not going to be far away. Sophia needs me, she is just hurting so badly and want’s blame it on me, since I’m closest.

    I’m outside and can’t sleep, I would say I was cold but us bears, don’t really get cold. I can hear Sophia all night long crying. I finally decided to go back in, and Sophia said, I thought I had loss you also, I was horrible to you last night son. I was in so much pain; I had to take it out on someone. You are the most loving and caring bear I know. I hate the way I unloaded on you. I then tell Sophia I was literally just outside the den, and tried to sleep but couldn’t. I could hear you bawling your eyes out. I wanted to come in earlier, but I was afraid of your reaction. Sophia says thanks, yes, I needed some time, and thanks for the marijuana, it has helped to take the edge off. I tell her that Rob has given us all, a blaze orange safety ribbon, that his group would honor, and he going try to get other groups to honor it as well. She says, well that’s actually nice of Rob, trying to protect us. I tell her, I have one and one for you and Lucy. How about James, she said. I tell her Rob only was able to give them to the immediate family.

    I tell Sophia, I rolled the last cigar for her, and I’ll have to go get a couple deer bags from Ceasar. I know Rob wasn’t hunting today. I hope he has gotten the word out, to other hunting groups. My ears and eyes will be on alert for any hunters or hounds. I will not be spending any extra time outside than what I need to. No fishing from the pond, my favorite thing to do, on way to Oliver’s. When I arrive at Ceasar’s, he can see I’m not the happy go lucky, Benjiman, that I have been lately. He asked what’s wrong. I tell him, and he is shocked that Oliver is gone. I looked up so much to him, he was so strong and smart, he has helped me out a time or two said Ceasar.

    I tell him Sophia is in bad shape and knew that Lucy would be also. I asked for 2 deer bags he said, with that much sadness and depression, he was giving me 4 deer bags, at no charge. I’ll miss that old son of a gun Oliver. I believe he let something slip that he hadn’t intended to let slip. He said, he almost out, and he will have to go visit farmer Brown. I think farmer Brown is his big dealer. I thought back to the time when Ceasar stated that farmer Brown wasn’t all that bad. Now I know why he said that statement. I didn’t let on to Ceasar, that I now believe farmer Brown is the big dealer. I thanked Ceasar for all the marijuana, and then I was on my way back to the den.

    I decided that Luna’s life to me, was more important than mine, so I took my ribbon to her, and let her know what had taken place. Both her and Maverick were heartbroken. She tried to get me to keep it. I said no, you have baby cubs, that will be here in a couple months. I tell her I have a big day yet in front of me, I must take 3 bags to Sophia to leave with her, and myself. After that I must cross Stone Coal Gap Road, and take Lucy her ribbon, and her bag of marijuana. I know James has told her, and I know she is devastated. I get back to Sophia before dark, and gave her the marijuana. I’m in need of a cigar, so we both smoked one to calm down. I decided to wait until a couple hours after dusk, before I headed over to Lucy’s, to let the traffic on the road to slow down. I also remember Oliver once telling me, this time of the year to go a different route, when crossing the road go right when leaving the den, and then angle down to the road, so, I would run into the creek that’s on my side of the road. Then walk the creek up to the culvert, and go under the road through the culvert to get to other side of the road. Then follow the creek a way before leaving it. Oliver said the creek will hide your scent and the hounds can’t follow you as easily. Oliver was a brilliant old bear. When getting to Lucy’s, James was holding her, and said she has been like this ever since I told her of her dad. She is crying unconsolable in James paws. I have tried to console her but nothing I do helps. I tell Lucy that I will roll all 3 of us a big cigar to smoke. The first words out of her mouth were, she doesn’t want to be like Samuel and Maverick. I would rather die than to live that life. I agreed with her, and tells her it’s Ceasar’s marijuana, and it will only help, not any bad effects. She finally agreed to smoke one. She felt better, but she was still angry at the world, I rolled her another cigar and myself and James a cigarette.

    It’s getting late I asked James if they would be ok together, he had to get back to Sophia since he is the man of the house now. James then came up with the ultimate plan. How about Lucy and myself go back to Sophia den with you. We all can be there for each other. I agree that is an amazing plan. I tell them the route we must take back to the den. We must stay in the creek as long as we can to kill our scent.

                Once back at the den Sophia, was overjoyed to see that everyone was OK and had come back to her den. I tell her that James had come up with the plan, and I hope she is ok with it. I’m overjoyed, if that is even possible right now. I begin to think of everyone else. I know Samuel and Angel are ok, or Luna would have told him. I then think about Tom and Sue and if they are ok, I also remember the young couple that lives near Tom. Sophia is worried, of what I may want to do next!

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