Bear sightings are not uncommon here at the ranch. We've seen several this summer, big and small, in broad daylight and at night. They come for our trash, mainly - they know that during the summer, there are three full dumpsters on the property. They're capable of quite a mess, and so we electrify the dumpsters with a low current as a deterrent. There isn't any way to electrify the grease trap, unfortunately, so the bears can make a very sticky and stinky mess when they choose to dig around in there.
Now that the summer is over, the bears have acquired a new target: the vehicles on the property. They have a special affinity for Toyotas; the affinity is not based on aesthetics, though I think the Toyotas are rather attractive. Rather, the draw seems to be the ease of the door handles, which are different from any other door handles on the property. A bear has only to reach over the handle and pull outward to gain access, as opposed to reaching under and pulling upward, which has proven too difficult so far. We are careful not to leave any food in our cars; there's no sense in giving the bears a good reason to go inside. I wondered out loud why we do not lock our car doors at night, and I was reminded that the bears are capable of ripping off the doors to gain access if they wish. There's also no sense in frustrating a bear.
Cowboy Nick found my Corrolla's doors open one morning last week, as well as the doors to the ranch's Forerunner. The doors were open, without any signs that the bear had crawled in or touched anything inside. Nick also found that the bear had gotten into the grease trap. Kindly, the bear chose to hit the grease trap after nosing around in my car. Evidently, the bears here also have a sense of decorum.
To change the subject, I am now eight months pregnant and about four weeks from Levi's due date. I feel really good most of the time. I haven't had any swelling, and I've had an easier time sleeping over the last week. The wicked heartburn I experienced has been tamed. In other words, I'm having an easy time of things. Levi's movements are stronger and more pronounced. It's rare for him to just jab or kick, now it's more like turning from one side to another. He hiccups a lot. I have weekly OB appointments now, and the doctor will start checking next week to make sure that he's head-down and stays that way. I'm happy to be in the homestretch now. Rob took this picture Sunday night:
There's definitely a belly now...Lynda
