Dale Thacker Aurthor

Tag: fiction

  • 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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  • Training Season and Maverick

    Training Season and Maverick

    Well, it’s the 2nd most unliked time of year has arrived again, it’s now the 1st day of chase season. After having a fulfilling breakfast that Sophia had fixed. I stepped outside, I can hear the dogs across the road from us up in the direction of Luna and James. There are at least 8 dogs that I can hear. They are cold-trailing when I first hear them. But the dogs are now heating the track up and are barking every breath. They seem to be crossing Stone Coal Gap Road up above me. I listened and the dogs was pulling up the ridge I live on. I decided I needed to go and see if I could help, whoever is being chased. Is it Luna? They are less than a half mile from me and the hounds are in full cry. I headed in that direction, I saw it is Maverick, he is running hard; he needs to stop, and bay and fight the dogs. But he just continues to run, but the hounds are closing in on him. I am able to get over to where he had just crossed, he is now above me. I smacked the last 3 dogs that was chasing him. I smacked them so hard, they turned and headed back to the road, but the others had continued and was still chasing Maverick. I Don’t know if I can catch them and help out Maverick.

    The Dogs did catch Maverick and pushed him up a tree. There were hunters already on top of the mountain I could hear them saying. That was a great run I hope 1st day of kill season is so successful. I was only a few hundred yards below Maverick and the dogs. Maverick is 50 feet up in a big oak tree, there were only 5 dogs left. They were barking every breath, and jumping up on the tree. There were 2 hunters, they went and put the dogs on lead. They petted the dogs and told them they had done a great job. Then told them if they do that well 1st day of kill season, they would have prime rib for supper. They are now headed back down the mountain. I go over and Maverick said, I saw you smacking those 3 dogs. I hate the dogs, I try to out run them, I am afraid to stop and fight them, like you do Ben. I tell Maverick if he expects to live, he must stop and bay or fight the hounds, it is his best chance to survive come kill season. You were a setting duck [well sitting bear] if you are in that tree, if it was kill season. Maverick said he is fast, and feels like he can out run them. I’m worried for Maverick!

    Rest of the first week went by we heard dogs running other bears, that we don’t associate with, but we all remained safe. The next week however I heard the hounds again, over towards Maverick’s and Luna’s area. I decided I better head over there, and see if I could help. I’m glad I did, as I was headed that way, I see the dogs chasing not only Maverick, but also Luna, Susan, and Heather. Maverick kept straight, and Luna and the cubs made a right-hand turn, through some thick laurel and pines thicket. It wasn’t long until the dogs were catching up with Heather. One dog almost caught her, but I was able to get there and smacked it down the hill. That dog isn’t moving it may be dead. The other 2 dogs came towards me, I charged them and smacked as hard I could, I almost took the head off one hound I was only able to get a partial smack on the other one and he decided he didn’t want to do battle with me anymore. Luna said thank you, you saved my Heather from definite death.

    We hear the other dogs are now treed, so we think the dogs have Maverick treed again. I said it’s just training season now, but I’m very afraid come kill season, he may not make it. Luna looks very sad. We know he will be back to the den, when the hunters pull the dogs off. We can hear the dogs are quite now, but the hunters want be happy once they find the two dogs that I killed. Maverick is back to the den about an hour after us. I was so angry with him. I asked him what the hell happened. Why he hadn’t stayed and try to protect his family, Maverick said I thought all the dogs, would follow me. I was angry as I was trying to talk to Maverick. I told him Heather would be dead right now, If I didn’t come and fight your fight. How do you think Luna would feel without Heather. I know you thought the dogs would follow you, you always think you can out run them. How the fuck is that working for you. As the boar bear your family is your responsibility. Your family should be in front of you, and you fight the hounds off.

    Maverick was upset at himself, he said he just wasn’t as good at protecting himself, and other like you are Ben. I will try harder next time. I now get that I must fight to stay alive, I can’t just run. It has kept me alive until now, but with a family to care for, I must fight. I must fight to keep my family alive. I can’t run then go up a tree, I now get it. The hounds will always outrun me, unless I lose them in the steep rocks. But I’m big enough that the hounds can’t hurt me badly, if I stop and fight and bay the hounds. If I injure or kill some of the hounds, there will be less to chase me. I will do better.

    About then we hear the hunters say, that damn bear has killed 2 more of my dogs. I will make sure he dies next time we tree him. I don’t care if it’s out of season he is dead. I’ll take great pleasure shooting that bastard, and leave him lay for the buzzards. Maverick then attacked me, see what the hell fighting gets you. They think it was me that killed his dogs, and now they will kill me. I tell him if you stand up and fight, then you will not be put in the position of being treed. They wouldn’t know what bear, has smacked and killed their dogs. Maverick it’s on you that you that you havn’t fought, to keep your family safe. Maverick then says yeah, I guess you are right, I will fight next time. I won’t be out in front; my family will be. I’ll stay back and bay the dogs and fight, to injury or kill any that I can. I would be loss without Luna, Susan, and Heather.

    The next time the hounds chased Maverick and his family, they ran together about a half a mile, then I told Luna that I was going to fight, they were close to the road, Luna and the cubs crossed but Maverick found and old blown down tree with a root ball. This will be a perfect place to bay and fight the hounds. It was 11 hounds this time, the dogs had no fear of the bear, with this many hounds 2 of them go in right on top of Maverick, he gives one powerful smack with his paw both dogs go flying over 25 feet one is injured and 1 is dead. Then 3 comes in, and one by one Maverick pulls the dogs in to him with his paws, then with his powerful jaws he would finish them off. Now with only 6 dogs on him they are staying back from him, but they have him cornered. He charged a couple times, but at the distance the dogs were from him, he couldn’t catch one. Maverick hears a couple of trucks coming he knows he must get out of there. He charges again and this time he swipes and kills another dog. He then run up the mountain but the woods are open, and there are several shots fired. Due to distance and Maverick running as fast he could they all missed. The hunters were very angry and said that bear is good as dead. The hunters said over the radio that all hunter groups, there is this bear that is killing all his dog. Any hunter that can kill this bear, please do it.

    The rest of chase season Maverick did a great job of protecting his family. He would smack the dogs, but tried not to kill them to angry the hunters any more. I was very proud of how he has stepped up to protect Luna, and her family. I hope come December; we all will be able to survive the hounds and the hunters. I have been so busy helping Sophia, with the cubs, and there was the Lucifer thing, I havn’t even had time to think about a sow for myself. We have survived to the end of chase season, and it is time to start think about fatting ourselves, the acorns are now falling. We now have 2 huge corn fields we can gorge ourselves in now, where there are no farmers, so it will be plenty of food this fall to get fat and happy. Where do we start?

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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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  • Rest Before Meeting Lucifer

    Rest Before Meeting Lucifer

                The next morning was bitter sweet, I would be going home, but leaving behind my great friend Luna. We had breakfast prior to our goodbyes. I was almost feeling normal now, I was down to about 4 cigarettes a day. There was so much marijuana, but I took half of it leaving half behind, in care of Luna and Maverick. We both plan to live by Ceasar’s rules. We also gave nothing for the marijuana, so any bears in need, they would be given the marijuana according to their needs. I also think about the small drawer, I know I will need to go to obtain it, one day soon. I have the perfect hiding spot for it. I don’t even want anyone else know of it’s evil existence.

                We have crossed over Stone Coal Gap Road; we are next to the stream. Bud said he wants to try to fish, so did Susie and Dottie. We were there for about an hour. They are beginning to master fishing now. Bud caught 15 native trout, Susie caught 9 and Dottie had caught 8 prior to heading back to the den.

                Back at the den it looks like some pesky raccoons, had found their way in the den, what a mess they made. Sophia said, that her, and all the cubs would clean up the den, for myself to take a break and relax. It’s like 5 times as far here, as it is to the pond. So yes, the trip had whipped me. I was in pain and had myself a cigar. I begin to reflect, on the knock, that I had from Lucifer that night. Then going over there the next day, this had started this, of being shot 5 times close range by a shotgun. I’m not mad just glad that bastard farmer Brown is dead.

                I had gone asleep, when I was woken by a knock on the door. Damn I don’t want to talk to Lucifer right now, I was thinking. I told Sophia to tell him, I would be over in about a week. Then I hear a very familiar voice it was Tom. I told Sophia yes, of course he can come in. He had Sue and Jolene with him. He said he had missed us, and just wanted to visit. Sue said, strawberries was everywhere so she fixed like a hundred strawberry and rhubarb pies. She said I know how much you love them so I brought you half of them. I was so happy; I told Sophia to get out all the hog ribs, we would have a feast tonight. I don’t have a smoker, but with Toms help, I’m sure with some flat rocks and red clay mud, we can make one, better than one you can buy.

                As Tom and myself was building the smoker, yes, you know it Bud is also. I told Tom of the horrible ordeal, that we all been through with the loss of Ceasar. Then I tell him of Lucifer, he had given me 2 cigars. Tom stopped me, as I told him this. Lucifer, he said that just sounds like the devil. I said no, he is just the other farmers 18-year-old son. Then I go into the details of how I broke the door down, after smoking the purple smoke marijuana. Tom said I have never heard of marijuana having purple smoke. After breaking the door down, the farmer’s wife, was in the way. I started sobbing at this point. I now have so much regret, of killing her. She had done nothing wrong. But I had no control, due to my mind was so altered from the laced Marijuana. While pushing her, I didn’t know my strength, I killed her. Then I saw the evil killer farmer Brown. He shot me 5 times; I didn’t even hardly feel the shots. I then killed him and ate his heart. Tom said MY GOD brother, you have been to hell and back, since I was last here. I then realized that for the 1st time, I told the story in front of Bud. I told Bud, I was sorry for him hearing all this detail. He said I’m growing into a big bear now. I can handle this, I am just glad you survived, and that damn bastard is dead. I told Bud yes, he a big bear but not so big, to be using that language. He agreed not to say it anymore, until he was older.

                We have made a beautiful and functioning smoker; I know where it’s an old dead apple tree, we went to gather the wood to build a fire. Apple smoke will make some delicious tasting barbecue. After the fire was built, we let it bake the red clay until hardened. Bud said look purple smoke. He was just kidding.

                We go inside Sophia and Sue, was also talking also about all the events, and all the rest of cubs, was playing and rough housing in the floor. Tom and myself started to season the ribs. My mouth was just a watering, just remembering how good they were last time. We should be able to make them even better this time. We can cook them slower this time, we not in such a rush.

                We take the ribs out, and place them on the racks in the smoker, all the red clay has hardened like a brick. We made it with a damper, so we can adjust the amount of heat. We lowered the heat to a perfect low and slow heat. Tom said he couldn’t have picked a better time to come by. He knew I will need the company, while I continued to mend. I was in some pain, but not as bad as I had been. I rolled a cigarette and smoked it. It’s amazing how it takes the pain away. Well, the smoker seems to be working well, and we go into the den. I’m ready to relax while the ribs smoke to perfection. As we are going in Sophia and Sue, is preparing the sourdough bread. She told us to relax, that they would be in, after they get the bread on.

                Tom and myself go outside, to baste the ribs good god almighty, they are smelling and looking good. We will baste them every 30 minutes, this last hour before removing them. Sophia and Sue are now fixing Spinach, I have had it every day now since being shot. I would love some fried taters. But Luna gave Sophia orders for next week, I was to have spinach 1 to 2 times a day. The ribs are now done and are falling off the bones, as we take them into the kitchen. I am now getting the smell, of some strawberry rhubarb pie, as we entered the room. Sue had heated us all a pie up in the oven. It was great having Tom and Sue come by and yes, the ribs were to die for.

                Tom and Sue Stayed with us for the next week, we made our way to the pond a few times. Bud always used a minnow, that was as big as everyone else was catching. He wants to do battle with old world record rainbow trout. Tom couldn’t believe it, when we l told him the story of the record trout. I said, while we are this close to farmers Brown house, I would like for you to walk over with me. I have a mission; I need to take care of. He agreed to walk over with me.

                On the way over I told him, of the big drawer and small drawer. I told him Maverick had gotten all the marijuana out of the large draw, which was the same marijuana that Ceasar supplied. But I suspect the small drawer, is the PCP laced Marijuana, that Samuel and Maverick were on. I don’t ever want this forest, to go through all the hell, that Samuel and Maverick put us though. Tom said are you going to destroy it in a fire, I said no, I have a special hiding place, that will always keep it safe. Tom hesitantly agreed, but said he thought burning was a better idea.

                At the old Victorian farm house Tom said, this is a creepy ass place. I said yes it sure is. We go in and find the big drawer it was still open from Maverick getting the Marijuana. The small drawer was locked, but a lock is no problem for a bear. 1 big smack of my paw, the drawer was open. It may be a small drawer but it was stacked full of possum size bags. It has a slightly different coloration than the other marijuana has. I’m sure this is laced with PCP. I gathered it all up, and we headed back to the pond.

                Back at the pond they had 4 keeper rainbow trouts. Bud had gotten tired of setting there, and told Tom to watch his pole. All the cubs wanted to play in the water. We told them to go over to the other side, so not to scare all the fish here, where we were fishing. About a half hour later Tom’s pole bent double, could it be the world record again. The fight lasted for 30 minutes and Tom was so happy catching it. Bud came over and said, looks like only you and me, know how to catch a big trout. Tom unhooked it and released it for everyone to enjoy in the future.

                We all headed back to the den, Tom said, how great it has been, being with his blood brother, for this whole week. He then said, that him, Sue, and Jolene would have to head back home in the morning. He said that he has found two nice dens, if we ever decide to come over to his county, as it is a safe harbor from bear hunting. I said yes that would be nice, but our home is here.

                Back at the den we had supper, and sit up and talked half the night. The kids were having a great time playing. Sophia said, it’s time for all you cubs to go to bed. Sophia and Sue took them in to read a nursery rhyme to them. Sue said, I see you got a nursery rhyme book, she said yes, she believes it was Ceasar’s. Ben had found it outside of farmer’s Browns house, after they found Ceasar dead

                While they were telling the nursey rhymes, I went to hide the laced marijuana, and showed Tom where he had hidden it. No one knows this place exist, and it will always be safe here in this hiding spot. He then tells Tom that since he is leaving tomorrow, I will go across the mountain to visit Lucifer. Tom said do you want him to go with him, that for some reason he just not trusting Lucifer. I said no, he is just an 18-year-old farmer’s son. I will be fine.

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  • The Healing

    The Healing

                As I lay there in the mud wallow and I’m wallowing around all the bleeding stops. I feel no pain, my head is spinning, I don’t have a clue, what was in that marijuana, that Lucifer had given me, it wasn’t Ceasar’s marijuana for sure. I’m having flashbacks, don’t get me wrong! I am glad that bastard farmer Brown is dead. He had to die, for what he did to Ceasar. I’m not sure if I had it in me, without this marijuana, it had purple smoke. But I’m so ashamed of killing the farmer’s wife. I had never wanted to hurt her. If wasn’t for the marijuana, that I have to assume was laced. But with what, PCP, Cocaine, Heroin, Fentanyl, Ketamine, or LSD are some of the things that comes to mind. Speaking of mind, mine is just spinning. I hate this feeling. I need it to stop, but how?

                I remember I have some of the marijuana, I had gotten from the farmer’s wife. Will smoking this help? I smoked the whole bag and my head is not spinning as bad. I was able to crawl from the mud wallow, to the bank of the pond. I have no idea, how long I laid there, I must have passed out. I think I was having dreams, I’m uncertain it seems real. I was with Luna; we were to raise a beautiful family. Right now, I don’t know what real, and what is not.

                When I woke, it was the most beautiful bear standing there. My head is so groggy, was this Luna here with me, I don’t know reality right now. Could it be? are we are together now? What about Maverick, I don’t want to do anything to harm that beautiful family. I told her, she was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. I couldn’t help myself, the marijuana had me out of my mind. I smacked her on her ass, and gave her one hell of a bear hug, and nose rub. Then I introduced myself as Benjiman, and asked her name. She said you crazy thing, you know who I am, I’m Luna. I was shocked, and apologized of what all, I had said and done. I tell her, that I don’t know what all had happened to me. I think I may have had some laced marijuana, but with what. I told her that due to my mind being altered by drugs, I had killed the farmer’s wife by accident. I just shoved her; I didn’t mean to kill her. I then turned to farmer Brown, I think he shot me 5 times with his shotgun, it felt like fly’s. After that I went towards him, as he shattered his gun on my head. I then made 1 swipe with my paw, ripping his body apart blood went everywhere, I flung him into the wall, so hard that the whole house shook, it felt like an earthquake. I then ripped his heart out of his lifeless body, and I ate it. Luna said did it taste good. I said YES. She said OMG you have been to hell and back. She gave me a big hug, and said she will always be his friend. I thought after telling her these details, she would be so applaud at me. I felt like she would never talk to me again. I was applaud at myself, for killing the farmer’s wife. But I’m glad that fucking bastard farm Brown is dead.

                She asked if I was able to make it back to her den, that she would help to nurse him back to health. I said it might take him a little longer than normal, but he would make it there. She helped me all the way back to her den. Once in the den, she told Maverick to go tell Sophia, she must know. I’m worried for Bud, he is my younger brother, but seems like my son.

                Luna said we need to get you all cleaned up and showered, to prevent infection. The mud wallow stopped the bleeding as it was supposed to. Washing will probably get you to bleeding again. So, I’m going outside to my herb garden, I’ll get some yarrow to stop any bleeding, also some goldenseal to prevent infection. After your shower I will put the herbs, over all your wound sites, I will bandage these herbs in place, to help you heal. After getting him all cleaned and bandaged, I went outside to get a basket of spinach to cook, I’ll place 5 pounds of bacon in it. The spinach will help to raise your iron level, since you lost so much blood. You need to drink plenty of water also, to help rehydrate yourself. We are so lucky you didn’t die.

                I’m now in so much pain, all over my body, it feels like I’ve been hit with multiple loads, of bird shot close range. I’m damn lucky that I’m am still alive. I will need marijuana for pain control, what I have left is probably not enough to get me out of pain. Luna has taken such good care of me. She is the very best friend a bear could have. I will get Maverick to go over to farmer Brown’s home, to get him to get all the marijuana, out of the large drawer. I’m not going to let him know of the small evil drawer. I have no idea if what Lucifer gave me, came from the small drawer, or somewhere else. I’m very depressed also, now knowing what I did to the farmer’s wife. That purple smoke is so mind altering. I need to know from Lucifer, what was in that marijuana. It might be a week or 2 before I go and talk to him about that. I need time to heal!

                I have smoked a couple of cigars now, the pain is easing up, I tell Luna to have one. She said, no she doesn’t have any pain, she don’t need one. I tell her I was glad she is keeping up with the promises, we all made to Ceasar. Sophia comes running in saying OMG, I thought I had lost you, as she gave me a big bear hug. I screamed in pain; she was horrified, that she hurt me. I said you didn’t know you was going to hurt me. Here comes my Bud, I tell him that we no longer need to worry, while we are fishing at farmer Browns pond. I didn’t want him to know any details. Susie and Dottie were just glad to see me. I tell Luna, to roll me another cigar, she said we was out, but that Maverick would be back soon.

                All the cubs were so good and concerned about me, they wanted to do anything they could to help me out, especially Bud. Sophia and Luna are now fixing supper, they tell me to just rest. Luna said the herbs will help with the healing process. Luna said everything she fixing for supper, will help raise his blood levels, as they are rich in iron. I was thinking, I couldn’t have a better friend than Luna. I may be dead now, if she didn’t find me at the pond. My head isn’t so groggy now, from Lucifer’s purple smoke marijuana. But oh, the pain is getting worse.

                Maverick is back now, and he has a very large bag of marijuana. I have never seen so much, but all of us will be supplied, for quite some time. I asked if that all came from the big drawer, he said yes. I’m pretty sure the small drawer, is PCP laced marijuana. I plan to go get it, when I feel better. I will put it in a safe spot. I don’t want anyone, to get hold of the evil marijuana. I tell Maverick to roll me a large cigar, which he did and lit it for me. I smoked the whole cigar and was in less pain. Sophia said that supper was ready. I started to go into the kitchen and the pain made me fall to the floor. Luna and Sophia helped me back on the bed. Luna said you silly goose, you are staying in that bed, for the next several days, until you are healed and able to get up. I said yes Ma’am.

                Luna brought in for me, another large bowl of spinach with bacon, also a whole deer backstrap, and a 2 loafs of sourdough bread. She said everything is high in iron, and I be healed in no time. A bear could get used to this pampering, from such a beautiful bear.

                For the next week, we all stayed with Luna and Maverick. The cubs and Sophia, would go to the pond fishing, to past time. We decided we were to manage the pond now, that there would be no more restocking’s now, with the evil farmer Brown dead. No more than 1 fish daily, per bear would be kept, with a 22-inch size limit. Everyone agreed. Fishing the pond is much more fun than the stream, and we can’t fish it out. It would take several years, for fish spawning to get to keeper size.

                Every day they would bring 1 or 2 fish back 22 to 25 inches was the largest. Bud said, don’t worry the world record size trout, is still there and he will catch it. We didn’t laugh at his optimism this time, we saw how his pole was doubled and pulled him in last time. We also now believe the pond may have a world record rainbow trout lurking in it.

                Everyday my pain is getting a little less, I began to get up and walk into the living room and kitchen. I’m still weak, Luna insists that I lean on her, while I move around the den. I must say, I didn’t mind, but I know we are just friends. I’m not feeling as strange being around her, and having her rub against me. I have accepted again, that we are just friends, and oh what a friend I have.

                It’s now been over a week, I have begun to go outside some, with Luna staying close to my side, making sure I’m ok. Everyone is fishing at the pond and I tell Luna, I would like to venture down to the pond. She said that’s a lot, are you sure you up to this. I said yes if I get tired, I’d just lay down and rest. It was a tiring trip to get there, but we made it non-stopped. Susie shows me a 23-inch trout she had caught; it was the only keeper they had so far. I see Buds pole looking like it had a nibble. Bud said relax, that’s just the extremely large minnow, he is now using, trying to catch the record rainbow trout. Dottie screams I have a big one. Its jumping out of the water and doing acrobatics. It’s a nice rainbow but it doesn’t look to be the record setter. It’s all she can do to pull it in. It is a large rainbow but not the record setter. It was 28 inches and weighed 10 pounds.

                Seems like the action had slowed down, no bites in over an hour. I was taking a bear nap, when I hear Bud yell. I got the world record on my line; this time he is braced up against a tree to keep from being pulled in. That rainbow trout was out of the water, more than in the water. It was a huge trout, if he was to get it in, it will be the world record. He battled it for over a half hour. He reels in line, then the fish would pull line off, as the drag would be screaming, as the line is being pulled back off the reel. Bud has finally tired the trout out; he gets it up on bank. It’s a remarkable 44 inches long and weighs 38 pounds. I tell him that will taste good tonight. Bud said no, no it will not, he had so much fun with that rainbow trout, he was going to release it, so someone else could do battle with this monster fish. That was a proud big brother moment. This trip to farmers Brown pond was what I needed.

                We all headed back to Luna’s den, during the walk back, I know I have recovered enough, that tomorrow, we would be headed back to our den. We had one last feast that night. I tell everyone we would be returning to our den. It will feel good getting back to our den. I knew I had an appointment; I need to follow through with. But I may need a short period of time, prior to talking to Lucifer.

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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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  • Hibernation

    Hibernation

                Sophia and Lucy are already about to turn in for the winter, they can feel nature calling them. James and myself are still very active, so we will continue hunting or fishing, until we feel nature saying, it’s time for a very long wintery nap. We also bring Sophia and Lucy some food and drinks to their beds, until they fall off into dream land. It was less than 2 days and they had begun their hibernation. It is normal for sows to go into hibernation, before the boar bears do.

                Myself and James without spending a lot of energy, were able to get 2 deer and 6 possums. We also have a been going to the stream fishing, it is very low energy activity, but high fat content in the native trout. We just sit around talking and gorging ourselves, until we are also ready for hibernation.  I believe that James is over 250 pounds now and I’m getting close to 300 pounds. Some of our favorite topics of the past, is talking about Oliver, how much the whole forest misses him. Another topic is Tom and Sue, I believe that James gets a little bored, when I speak so much of them. But Tom really helped to save my life, when I was depressed. But if not for me, Tom would be dead, and I never attempted to have Sue as mine, even though that was what she wanted. Then I tricked her and she has been extremely happy, ever since I did. For James his favorite story is, how much joy Lucy has provided for him. He is so thankful for Rob, and all he did to prevent Lucy being shot, without Rob she would be dead. For both, Rob is bitter sweet; bitter because he killed Oliver, sweet because he saved Lucy. He was willing to not only tell the 18-year-old, no to shooting Lucy, but as a true man, fights for his beliefs. He has earned respect by the humans around him, and the entire forest.

                I asked James if himself and Lucy has spoken of any names yet; he said the only name they have come up with is Lucille, for Lucy which is her actual name but Lucille is close and that’s the name I came up with. We have tossed some other names around but have no true favorites. We decided to wait until they are born and let their personality and or markings, give them their name.

                James then said how about Sophia, do you know if she has come up with any names. He said she hadn’t but I had suggested Bud. She said she likes that. Then I told her how I came up with the name. I told her it’s actually in Oliver’s honor. It’s because Dale was the first to call him the Marijuana Bear, due to his weight being 420 pounds field dressed. I don’t want to name him Marijuana Bear but marijuana has marijuana buds, so that how I came up with Bud. I then tell James that Sophia said I have a sick sense of humor, for the reasoning for Bud. But she likes Bud so we will name a boar Bud if I have one. James tells me that he agrees with Sopia that I am sick.

                James said he was going in and lay down with Lucy, he is feeling nature is calling his name. I said yeah, I’m not far behind you. I will fry us a big basket of trout and bring you half of it, and I’ll eat the other half. For one last boost of protein. After they ate the Trout, they tell each other they would see each other in the spring. James said he can’t wait to see Lucille and Bud. I agreed.

    Snore

    Snore

    zzzzzzzzz

    Snore

    zzzzzzzzzz

    Snore

    Snore

    zzzzzz

    Snore

    Yawn, yawn

                I am now waking up and trying to get all my thoughts together, when suddenly my thoughts was Bud. Do we have us a Bud. As I sprung up on to my paws, I go over to Sophia. She has 3 baby bears that appear to be around 5 or 6 pounds each, I have been told that at birth a new born black bear weighs about one pound. They will take care of themselves, living off of mom’s milk, until mom wakes up. I must know how many sows and how many boars. I reach down and pick one up it’s a sow and has a white V on her chest. I havn’t even thought of any names until after I picked her up. I hope Sophia will name her Susie after Sue. The next one was another sow, she has a little white dot on her chest. I’m worried now do we have a Bud; well, yes; yes, we do, the 3rd bear was a solid black boar. I just sat there for an hour holding Bud, I felt close to Oliver doing this. He begins to whine so, I put him back down to Sophia. He found a nipple and began to suckle. I figured I would fix breakfast now, but first I had to know how many babies lucy had. She only had 2, but I didn’t bother them I’ll let her or James whichever is awake first to check to see if sows or boars.

                As I go into the kitchen the 1st thing, I see is Lucys huge buck antlers, hanging on the wall. I was in the kitchen, as I’m digging around and all I find is fish, fish, fish, where the hell is the bacon. I found it on the bottom of the freezer. We had a little deer left and a lot of fish. We won’t go hungry but will have to get out and hunt if we want much of anything other than fish. We have no eggs so I have 20 pounds of bacon and an 8-gallon pot of porridge cooking. The smell of bacon sizzling in a pan, will wake almost any bear. I hear someone stirring before long I’m hearing James say wake up Lucy, we have a beautiful boar and he has several patches of white on his chest, also I want you to meet Lucille. Lucy says you have held Lucille long enough give me, give me. He reaches down and picks up the boar bear. Hey Lucy what do you want to call him. Her response was well duuhhh that’s Patches. So, James is holding and playing with Patches and Lucy is holding Lucille. I hear Sophia stirring, and I turned off the stove, I went in to be with our expanded family. I reached down and picked up Bud, and tell Sophia meet Bud she said awe, he is so precious and he looks like a Bud. Then I pick up the one with the white V on the chest. Awe she is precious, says Sophia. I quickly speak up and said I miss Tom and Sue; would it be ok to name her Susie. Sophia says Susie, I like that I like that a lot. It made me very happy that Sophia liked Susie. So, Sophia said I had a sow and a boar. I then reach down, I grabbed the one with the white dot, and said you had 2 sows and a boar. I hand her to Sophia; she sees the white dot and she says well hello Dottie. I guess everyone now has a name.

                James hands over to Sophia this is Lucille, awe she is so precious reminds me of you Lucy. Then he hands over to Sophia, the boar cub and says this is patches, well with all those patches I don’t know how you came up with that name. We let all the 5-to-6-pound cubs, meet each other for the first time. They were running and rolling around the den like crazy. This den isn’t going to be boring any time soon.

                James says OMG I smell bacon is that bacon I smell. I said yes, after waking up this morning the first thing I had to know, was if we have a Bud or not, I found 2 sows and a Bud. I played with Bud for an hour until he started to whine, then I put him back down to Sophia, to let him suckle on Sophia. I then went to fix breakfast, I knew the smell of bacon sizzling, would get everyone awake, what bear cannot wake up for bacon. I feel like I haven’t eaten in about 3 months, lets dig in. They said everything was delicious, we ate everything except about a gallon of porridge, and a pound of bacon, we broke the bacon into smaller pieces, to give to all the cubs, that are now tearing up the den. I had each of them a bowl full and Bud was the first to finish his bowl. He bullies his way into Dottie’s bowl and finishes it off. Then over to Patches bowl, oh no patches say, what the hell you doing, you not bulling me. He put Bud in his place, by this time Lucille had already finished hers. The 2 boars are going to be figuring out, who is the boss. Sophia said, what have we got ourselves into, with 5 of the cutest bear cubs. This is going to be a full-time job. It wasn’t bad with you and Lucy. But 5 cubs in the same household may spell trouble with a capital T.

                To keep order, we know at all-times 2 of us, will have to stay with the cubs, and 2 can go out to hunt and fish. We decided that deer and turkey and other mammalian meat is the most important, since we have plenty of fish. I had an idea and James approves. We decided to cross over the mountain to the hog farm, and get us a couple hogs. We out of bacon and some ham and sausage would also be good. We knew we had to be careful, or we could be shot. We are down at the farm now, and see no one around. We enter the hog lot, as we kill 2 large hogs. That was easy, well not so fast, here comes the farmers son, he said I should go get my dad, and tell him y’all killed 2 of his hogs. But I’m not, he has grounded me, for sneaking off with the neighbor’s daughter last night. He then said, I hear my dad coming, I’ll go and distract him and y’all drag the hogs up that trail, to the top of the mountain, it will be your easiest path. He then said he may want a favor from them, at some time in the future. We agreed that we owed him a favor.

                They get both hogs back to the den, and wow so much meat. Sophia and Lucy were surprised, but terrified that we had killed hogs. They knew we had been to the farm, on the other side of the mountain, to have killed the hogs. But they were also, happy to have the hog meat, All the side meat was cut into bacon over a 100 pounds of bacon the ribs were left for barbecue ribs. They have only heard of barbecue ribs, and had never eaten any, but they do have the recipe, for best ribs of the south. They had 4 large hams, and the rest of the meat was removed from the bone, and ground up. Red pepper, salt and sage was added to the ground meat and mixed up then reground. It was over 300 pounds of sausage. This family will be eating well. Ben suddenly got a big pit in his stomach. What have I gotten himself into with the farmer’s boy. What favor will I have to do? James and myself made a pack not to tell Lucy and Sophia this, they would be worried for us!

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