The Thrill of Country Living

Yesterday was a normal day, lots of paperwork, lots of phone calls, lots of busyness.  Everything was going as usual until we got home and saw a bear sitting in our yard.  

That's right, a bear who looked to be fairly young still and about the size of a large Rottweiler.  It was sitting on its haunches staring in the direction of our chickens, when we drove up and startled it back into the woods.  It's entirely possible that the appearance of this bear is due to all the people moving out here are making these formerly spacious woods quite crowded, but it also is likely due to how dry the summer has been.

The woods up on this mountain are normally filled with wild blackberries and wild grapes and there are plenty of little ponds too.  This year they've all dried up and the berries died by the end of June, so my guess is that wildlife like this bear, whom I have already named Joshua, are hungry and more than a little thirsty. 

I wish there was something I could do to help, but I worry that if I put out any food or water, it will keep the bear coming back and that our timorous invertebrate Texas neighbors will shoot it without cause.  (No offense to all Texans, just these two jags)  It's probably better if the bear just fends for itself and swipes a chicken or two to get by.

No one should move to the country thinking they'll have life easier.  It may be quieter at times and the pace may be slower at times, but I assure you it is a harder life and I for one am grateful for the challenge.  Sometimes the surprises out here are delightful and sometimes they're scary.  Usually they're a little bit of both which certainly helps keep the thrill of living out here alive and keeps us ever on our toes.  

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