Came home today to find a Bear Information Flyer stuck on our door. Apparently, there's been bear activity in our neighborhood. Really? Do tell. The flyer provided all kinds of information I knew, except for the bit about a thousand dollar fine for uncontained trash. Not to worry there, ours in in the garage. Knew the part about no food in cars outside, too, bears will rip a car open if they want to. This is good advice: "If a bear is watching you, you are disturbing it." I've had roommates like that.

In addition, there was a hand written note advising us to bring the four pumpkins on our porch inside, as our ersatz harvest hommage might be dinner for our natural neighbor. Okay. That makes sense. Whadda 'bout the three dozen goldfish swimming in the pond right next to the pumpkins? I'm worried about them at this point, and I'm not sure the motion detector sprinkler is going to do the trick with a bear. To a bear our pond would be like a bathtub with snacks.

Did I mention it is a "two strikes and you're dead" rule for bears here? They get relocated once and if they are caught again...well, you know. We want this sow to move on, for her own good. The neighborhood is full of apple trees and rose bushes (they like rose hips, apparently) so there are good reasons for her to be foraging here.