13 Comments

Been ‘fraid of the dark since grade school; still leap into bed from three feet out so nothing grabs my ankles.

Will finish reading your piece when trembling stops!

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Too funny!

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Funny piece. You're right, though, about men thinking we're king of the jungle, especially if we're carrying a big stick. I hike in the mountains with a skinny little collapsible hiking pole and I think to myself if a bear pops out, I'll just smack him with this thing. Once the bear stops laughing, I'm sure he'd make short work of me and my hiking stick.

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Since Kevin Bacon defeated the giant worm in Tremors, does that make him the fiercest creature in the forest?

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This surely is the most revealing, sensitive (and funniest) piece ever written by a former college wrestler.

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I found you very fierce when we met. Loved this.

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Bob - I laughed out loud at the idea of playing dead in the event of a possum attack. Actually, I think stuffing your pockets with dog kibble and playing dead might be the only way to be “attacked” by a non-rabid possum.

I do question the wisdom of listening to podcasts (even Mary Swander’s) though - you might miss the ethereal hooting of hunting owls or the soft motion of the mountain lion as he springs.

Happy Hiking! CHC

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Thanks Chris. I quickly shut off the podcasts when I hear the owls, for sure. Fortunately, they will continue for a minute or two. It's odd, but I don't listen to podcasts when the sun is coming up--lots of bird sounds I want to catch, and sunrises to photograph. But believe me, the last thing I want to hear is the "soft motion of the mountain lion as he springs!"

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You’re hilarious😂

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Lions and tigers and Bobs, oh my!!!

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Another lol column! Reminiscent of lines from an old Scottish poem: “From ghoulies and ghosties and long-leggedy beasties and things that go bump in the night, Good Lord deliver us.” Thanks, Bob!

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Thanks Richard. I knew you would enjoy it. We have similar senses of humor.

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Oh, no, Chris. Let Bob listen to podcasts. Especially "AgArts from Horse & Buggy Land." Shameless plug.

Love this piece, Bob!

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