Comments on: Bear

By: Rachel

Rachel — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 22:43:36 +0000

I loved this story when I first read it, and was vaguely envious of it. And then today I got my own visitation, and I am awed.

By: Watermark

Watermark — Sun, 11 Jun 2006 18:05:01 +0000

Bears …

From via negativa:â€œWhere are the stars?â€? Eva asks as we follow the mowed path across the field. Besides the moon, so far only one star and a planet are visible. I explain about the darkness, how it comes in increments, and how much of it we need in…

By: Dave

Dave — Sun, 11 Jun 2006 12:31:12 +0000

Hi Alison – Close encounters with bears are always pretty memorable; I wish I had been so lucky as a kid, but bears were really uncommon then. I think it’s a good idea to be somewhat afraid — or at least very, very cautious — around grizzlies. Black bears are much less aggressive toward humans. Don’t paint all bears with the same brush!

By: Alison

Alison — Sun, 11 Jun 2006 02:17:31 +0000

Hi Dave – I love that you didn’t teach Eva to be afraid of bears. When I was about her age at summer camp somewhere out in the woods above Boalsburg, we were picking wild strawberries at the edge of a meadow and encountered a mother bear and her cub or two? Anyway, we kids didn’t know to be afraid and our teenage counselors probably didn’t either. We watched eachother with curiosity and I don’t exactly remember who moved off first but it was decidedly a magical yet placid moment on a hot sunny afternoon. I am much more afraid of bears now than I was then – although more afraid of brown than black. I think it’s from all the warning signs at the trailheads here in WA.

By: Jean

Jean — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 11:14:23 +0000

I so loved reading this – you’re a great storyteller. Knowing the ‘back story’ and your depression at the beginning made it even more absorbing. I shared qB’s experience of simultaneously wanting the narrative to move faster but not wanting to missing a word, and Beth’s reaction to Eva calling out ‘I love you bear!’. And your magical story comes to me today as I am making up my mind about moving to the country… though there aren’t any bears the Cotswolds.

By: Dave

Dave — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 10:45:45 +0000

Thanks so much for all the comments.

She is a Bonta, no?

You bet. My brother Mark is her dad; she’s up visiting from Mississippi for two weeks.

I get a bit more nervous when that close to a bear.

I don’t now, but I’m sure I would’ve when I was ten.

By: Ontario Wanderer

Ontario Wanderer — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 10:09:04 +0000

Great writing of a great adventure! Meanwhile, I get a bit more nervous when that close to a bear. So far I have been lucky and the bears have been even more nervous and have left running.

By: beth

beth — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 02:42:32 +0000

Hope this dispelled your depression – Eva is something else. How I loved it when she called out, “I love you bear!” Wonderfully told, Dave. Thanks. (And you sure couldn’t get this in the city.)

By: MB

MB — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 00:52:26 +0000

I’m remembering the unexpected company I got for breakfast one morning, uphill from the creek, and I’m glad that your moment was more relaxed.

There are things about home that can’t be duplicated, people being one of them.

By: leslee

leslee — Thu, 08 Jun 2006 23:20:06 +0000

She is a Bonta, no? Cute story, Dave. What a good uncle you are.