When I first got to Mt.McKinley, the instructions were, on meeting a grizzly, to raise your hands high above your head to make yourself look bigger. No where else was this falsehood uttered. When I had my lone encounter with the huge grizzly I stood facing him, not looking him in the eye, but raised my hands up. . and almost died. The bear rose on his hind legs - and was now 10 or 12 feet tall. My move no doubt attracted his attention to me — and he showed that I was nothing. In other situations, I never never did that stupid move again. But if you run, you are done for - prey. If you turn your back on him, done for. And so it becomes a stand-off for 3 hours. In the meantime, with the number of bears on the mountain, I knew another could be behind me but I could never look back either. Once you are face-to-face, the surprise factor is over — the bell factor which warns them you are around I am guessing would just be a come on. No clapping, no moves, and no looking into his eyes as that is a challenge. The learning curve is enormous. To live through it, miraculous. Frank, I know you understand.

Sam - thanks. My day’s looking better already! I took your words to heart and put a few cut wild roses in little cups on friends’ desks. I get in early to work so I can do cool things like that. Have a good day, Sam.

Thanks, Sam! I needed that. Widows never get that kind of praise, unless they say it to themselves, of course.

Lucky you Barbara, getting to see the Boss!