The Adventures of Honey Bunny and Brown Bear

Llangoed Hall

2011-11-13T03:28:00.000-08:00

You may think that we have been left at home or stuffed in a box somewhere, but it is just that Dad hasn't seen fit to write any new posts for us. Bad Dad!

Well, HB, it has been a long time, but we have had many travels to Wales and elsewhere. Here we are in Llangoed Hall, an elegant hotel near Brecon in Wales.
Yes, we have been around a lot, but we have been stuffed in small suitcases, tucked away out of sight, and generally mistreated by our parental units.
Now, HB, you know that when we travel light on low-cost (read CHEAP) airlines there isn't much room.
My point exactly. Why don't we travel first class?
I suppose you have the cash to buy the tickets?
Well, . . . .
Yes, MY point exactly. We travel as well as our parental units, as you so elegantly put it.
Anyway, we really lucked into this first class hotel and Mom got us such a deal.
And the days in Bath (you need to BAAAHTH to be really posh) were memorable.

New Clothes for Brown Bear

2011-04-04T13:35:00.000-07:00

Well, its been months and months since we've had an update on our many activities. Now Dad decides to put up a new post because Brown Bear has new clothes. What about MY new clothes (not that I have any). I'm a deprived bunny.
Now HB, we both have had new clothes recently (even though it didn't make the blog), and you have had new clothes several times when I didn't get anything. Don't complain about no new clothes.
Oh, well, I guess you have a point, but, but,
No BUTS about it, you are not deprived, and neither am I.
Well, . . .
It's a deep subject as they say (Haw, Haw) (That is a bear laugh if you didn't know.) Anyway, I really like my new basketball uniform. It is stylish and even includes shoes—a new thing for us fuzzy kids.
Well, I must admit, I am a sucker for Jocks, so I'm finding you quite attractive in your new duds.
I'm glad you approve, HB, just go easy on that attraction thing. There are species differences you know.

OK, I'll just say that you look really sharp in the new uniform. Are you planning to take up the game?
I don't know, HB, we are rather short for basketball, which is dominated by 7-footers. I'll just have to see what develops.

A New Do for Bridget

2010-10-28T06:51:00.000-07:00

Hi all you lovely people out there. I have a totally new hairdo and I'm so proud. Here is a before and after shot so you can see the new me. (The before comes after the after, if you know what I mean.)

I'm jealous. What did she do to deserve new hair?

Now HB, Mom has a brand spanking new sewing machine coming and then it will be new clothes for all of us.

I can hardly wait.

And I could get into this new clothes business.

Party Time Again

2010-10-23T12:04:00.001-07:00

Here we are with more of our friends from Cristina's house. No time for chit-chat. We're having too much fun.

You said it, kid!

I know I did. So, back to the party. (Do you see the way that cute bear is looking at me? I wonder . . .)

Cool it HB!

It's really hard to maintain spiritual detachment in this household.

Just keep breathing, Bridget. Oh, sorry, I forgot, we don't breathe do we?

The New Website

2010-10-21T11:23:00.000-07:00

Dad has been hunched over the computer every day working on graphics for our new website PowerfulPlaces.com

I hope he managed to work us into some of the pictures. How about it Dad?

Well, I'm afraid that PowerfulPlaces.com just isn't the place for fuzzy kids.

Oh, you big spoil sport! We would have fit right in. After all I'm pretty powerful.

Well, now that I'm done with the website I'll do something very special for you kids.

Oh boy, like NEW CLOTHES?

You know that Dad doesn't sew. That's Mom's department.

Well, she is busy having fun with her new machine . . . wait a minute, I'll bet she could whip up some new frock for me on her new machine. How about it Mom? Mom?

I don't think you can get her attention HB.

What does it take to get anyone's attention around here? I'll just go off in a corner and pout.

Well, you could talk with Bridget. Maybe she can communicate with Mom and tell her what you need.

Is it a philosophical issue that you need resolved?

Yes, that's it. The philosophy of getting Mom's attention.

I'm afraid that isn't in my power. I could deal with the philosophy of needing less, or the philosophy of being thankful for what you have, or . . .

Well, stuff that!

HONEY BUNNY!

I'll overlook that last remark.

Like I said, you'll get used to that around here.

A Big Party With Friends

2010-10-14T12:31:00.000-07:00

Here we are back home and introducing Briget (Bride, Bridgit, St. Bride?) to our friends here in Girona.

Well, if you are going to talk about me all the time you might as well know how to spell my name. That is Bridget, if you don't mind.

Well, at last, we have thought you could speak all the time, but had begun to wonder.

Of course I can speak. But only of important things.

Like clothes?

Honey Bunny, every girl doesn't have your priorities.

Important philosophical concepts are my specialty.

Philo-WHO?

We need to have a serious talk, but not when we are having a party. Actually, I like all your friends, particularly the guy with the Indiana Jones hat.

He's a distant relative of mine. I like him too.

Hats remind me of what I don't have for winter--a new hat.

Oh, HB, you have a one-track mind.

Well, it is a dual track mind, but we won't go into that. (Hey there good lookin', What's you got cookin', How about . . . .)

HONEY BUNNY!

We'll overlook that last remark.

You will get used to overlooking a lot around here. Anyway, here's our friends from Cristina's house. We have such a good time talking with them.

I'm sure I'll find a kindred spirit here. I'm feeling more at home already.

Introducing Brigit

2010-09-22T00:55:00.000-07:00

Here we are in rain- and mist-drenched Ireland. I'm so glad Mom dressed us warmly (even though these are my old clothes).
Right, Honey Bunny, we are as snug as a bug in a rug (as they say). However, that is not what this post is about. We have a new friend and traveling companion, Brigit (or Bridget, or St. Bride, or--well, you get the idea). She just came to us yesterday from the nice people in the Boyne Valley Taracelebrations community. She has been with them for almost two years and was ready for a new adventure. We agreed to show her our part of Spain.
I'm so mortified that Brigit (is that how you spell her name? I'm not good at spelling....) has a beautiful shiny blue dress with lots of glittery sparkles and a new black velour cloak but I'm still wearing last year's fashions! She seems nice enough and hasn't commented on my old clothes yet, but I'm more than a little jealous.
Now HB, you look just fine to me. Bridgit is looking forward to winter in sunny Spain and we've agreed to show her a good time. We can all get along together just fine.
Oh Brown Bear, you do say the nicest things. I'll try to relax and enjoy showing Bridgit (is that how you spell it?) our ancient country. She does seem quite nice and has a lovely Mona-Lisa-like smile. She hasn't talked yet, but we'll teach her in no time at all. So, welcome Bridgit, we look forward to hearing all your stories when you learn to talk.
Well, I think she can talk already. She's just biding her time until she decides it's worth saying something. I think she's the strong, silent type--unlike some we know. I'm looking forward to learning a lot from her, in silence.
And I'm looking forward to fashion tips!

Brittany Again

2010-09-16T12:07:00.000-07:00

Mom just doesn't stop working. She has written a new article about Brittany that has just been published.

She promised that she would make me a new dress and she hasn't done it. What's more important, my appearance or her old article?

Now HB, you know that she will get around to us when she has time. In the meantime people will enjoy reading what she wrote by clicking HERE.

Well, we are going to be traveling again tomorrow (to Ireland) and I don't have a thing to wear. THAT'S important.

We have plenty of clothes and she took the time to dress us up for the colder weather. Cut her some slack, will you?

Well, OK, so long as she introduces us to all her friends in the Emerald Isle. (I hope they won't notice that I'm dressed in last year's styles.)

Powerful Places in Brittany

2010-09-15T22:54:00.000-07:00

Barnes & Noble has mom and dad's new book, Powerful Places in Brittany for sale at $10.04, a 28% discount from the list price. Click HERE to go directly to the Barnes & Noble site.

2010-07-27T10:51:00.000-07:00

Mom's latest article has just been published on Your Life is a Trip. It's called "Healing at Saint Onenn’s Holy Well" and describes a very intriguing experience she had recently in Brittany, in northwestern France.

If you're interested,

1) You can read the article at

http://www.yourlifeisatrip.com/home/healing-at-saint-onenns-holy-well-brittany.html

2) You can leave a comment on the website at the end of the article.

3) You can support her writing by joining the website for free--they'll send you announcements automatically of new articles.

Her previous articles can be found athttp://www.yourlifeisatrip.com/home/author/elynaviva

Another New Article

2010-07-20T09:28:00.000-07:00

Here we are advertising for mom again. She has another article published, this time about some black virgin or other.

That's the Black Virgin of Rocamadour, HB And it is a great article with pictures and all.

Pictures of US?

Well, no, but great pictures just the same. You remember the night she describes. It was when we were traveling with our friend Anne.

Sure, I remember Anne. She's one of our most loyal fans. So, how can our adoring public get to read this article.

Just click HERE

Do it now!

We're Still Here!

2010-06-28T05:20:00.000-07:00

It's been ages since our parental units have seen fit to make a blog post for us.

It took a threat that we would turn them in to the SPCFK (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Fuzzy Kids) if we didn't get a post soon.

I know they have been working very hard at learning to rest, but enough is enough.

After all, we have had many adventures since we came here in March, not the least of which was a trip with Ferran on the Camino de Santiago.

Here are pictures of two of our admirers on that trip, Lisa and Gisela.

Oh yes, Gisela took us to her room almost every night. It was soooo much fun!

And getting to ride every day at the front of the van was exciting.

Ferran is a great driver.

Well, that's it for this time Fuzzy Kid fans. We have to sign off and let our parents get some rest.

New Look for Spring

2010-03-20T08:16:00.001-07:00

How do you like our new spring look?

New clothes, new color scheme, new everything.

And a pretty new me—the most important part.

Well, that is a matter of opinion. Mom got us new clothes and Dad did the new design.

And mom took the picture. I'm so happy with my new spring outfit and mom is a real fashion photographer.

Well, they both did a great job of sprucing the ole' blogspot up a bit.

BTW, here is another shot of me (well, us) with an alternate to the spring outfit shown in the heading.

Bath Time

2010-03-14T12:12:00.000-07:00

Here we are taking a bath in our new home in Girona. What fun!

Well, I wasn't so sure about that. After all, a lady has to have some modesty.

We were well covered by all the bubbles and had a grand time floating around and getting clean.

Well, I guess it was OK. After all it IS in the name of beauty—mine of course!

And cleanliness is next to Godliness you know.

I don't know what you are talking about. Don't give me your high fallutin' philosophical talk.

OK HB, whatever you say. We'll just sit in the sun for the next few days and get dried out.

OH, I'm going to be so beautiful. We'll have to have new portraits to show all our adoring fans. And Mom promised new clothes.

Well, new clothes would be nice. It is spring you know, in spite of the recent snow storm.

Our Trip to Girona and the BIG Snow

2010-03-09T12:36:00.001-08:00

Here are a few photos of our trip to Girona.

We had the best seat in the house, right up front.

And Kim was a great driver and even provided traveling music for us.

We got here and no sooner got moved in when the biggest snowstorm in 25 years hit.

We only saw it from our window, but it was spectacular.

For once, HB didn't even complain about being ignored.

I was admired and given every privilege due to a person of my rank and station.

Well, enough said. A picture is, after all, worth a thousand words.

Particularly when it is a picture of ME!

Girona Article

2010-03-08T10:44:00.000-08:00

The kids are speechless because Elyn has already written an article on Girona when we've just moved here. Maybe they will be able to speak tomorrow. In the meantime click HERE to read the article.

Another One?

2010-02-22T14:39:00.000-08:00

Mom is becoming sooo prolific! She has another article on Your Life is a Trip.

She's NOT prolific. She is a very nice person and she is our Mom!

HB, prolific is a word that means, . . . . well its a nice word anyway.

How do you know, mister big words?

Trust me, HB. She'll like being called prolific.

Well, in the bunny kingdom, its a word that is used for girls who sleep around a lot.

Oh, I see. That does put it in a different light. Anyway, click HERE and read her article.

Mom's Newest Article

2010-02-08T05:18:00.000-08:00

Mom just had her next article published on Your Life is a Trip.

We are sooo proud of her.

You can read it HERE.

But she still doesn't mention us and we're not in the pictures.

You don't have to be in every picture, HB. The story isn't about us.

Why not? Aren't we important?

Important, yes, but there are other important things in the world too.

GIRONA

2010-02-06T12:30:00.000-08:00

We're here! We're here! And we love it, almost as much as Mom and Dad do.

We get to stare out the window every day--and I think the tour groups down below on Calle de la Força see us. It's very exciting.

Mom and Dad are having a lot of fun.

TOO much.

Now Honey Bunny, that's not fair. They deserve it.

I guess you're right. Write. Get it?

Hurrumph. Anyway, it's a great life.

Did you know, Lance Armstrong lived in the apartment right across the street? I mean, that means we're almost famous. Or almost next to someone who's famous. Or almost next to someone who used to be here was is famous. Or...

HB, enough. I think you're a little wound up.

Well, anyway. It's a great life. I like the pix of the Eiffel Bridge, and us in the hotel room the first night--that's not the apartment, you know. And the cathedral. And the streets...

Yeah, it's the first time we've gotten to see most of this, you know. Staring out the window's okay, but I'm eager to go for a walk.

Maybe tomorrow?

Read Mom's New Article

2010-01-18T10:13:00.001-08:00

Mom just had an article published and it is really exciting.

Yes, its about a place we all visited—but she didn't mention ME in the article, Bummer!

Now HB, you don't need to be the center of attention all the time. Just go HERE to read it.

Well, it is pretty good, even if my picture didn't get in. I guess you can click HERE if you want to.

Dad is a Sleepyhead

2010-01-10T06:33:00.001-08:00

Dad has just been sleeping in too much these cold winter mornings.

So we had to wake him up and get him going!

It was so much fun!

He didn't seem to think so.

Well, what difference does it make what HE thinks?

Well, HB, you know he is an important family member and what he thinks is always important.

Not to me--so there!

I keep thinking you've learned a thing or two and then you disappoint me with comments like that one.

Hmm, I guess I did get carried away. Sorry.

Better say your "I'm sorries" to Dad.

Sorry, Dad.

Happy Holidays

2009-12-26T09:30:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays, everybody!
It really is the season of light around here--you should see the way they dress up the plaza mayor.
Yeah, they've got this silly fake tree with a huge green pipe for a trunk--
Well, I think it's kinda cute, even if it is kinda tacky.
You never did have much taste, Brown Bear!
That's not a very generous, Christmasy spirit, Honey Bunny! Maybe you're unhappy because Mom and Did didn't give us any presents.
It's true. I am disappointed.
Well, they had a hard time feeling Christmasy this year, what with Paca's death....
Gee, I guess you're right. I shouldn't have been so selfish.
Listen to you, Honey Bunny! I guess you've learned something after all.
I have, I have! I remember the Christmas Carol and Scrooge and I don't want to be that way!
Right you are. There are more important things than presents. Like love and friendship.
You are SO right, Brown Bear! We wish you a happy holiday--
And lots of light!

The Passing of Paca

2009-12-16T09:21:00.000-08:00

Mom's feeling sad.
Her "Spanish mom" just passed on.
Paca was 82 years old.
She'd been doing poorly all summer, and last month they finally diagnosed that she had an aggressive brain tumor.
Mom's really feeling sad.
Want to talk about it, Mom?
I really loved Paca. I've known her since 1981. I decided to do my fieldwork based in Sahagún because she and her family (her husband Sergis and the kids, Piedad and Pedro) were so welcoming. When I moved here in 1982 with Jesse (he was 12), they took us in and helped make everything happen very easily. I would spend days visiting with Paca, hearing stories about how things used to be, her family, growing up with a widowed mom, struggling--I think she left school in 3rd grade to help with the family. She was SO full of life and enthusiasm--and stories! She was to "go-to" person in Sahagún if someone wanted to know about the history of the town, long ago or more recent.
She was really something, huh?
She was. See the photo of her dancing at the hermitage in April with her daughter? She was still walking to the Virgen del Puente hermitage outside of town (3 miles, round trip) this summer. She would welcome pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago and give them her famous galletas de hierro (a kind of pizelli cookie) and orujo.... She was SO vital and friendly!
And her kids adore her. To see how they have been caring for her in the hospital--such a close, loving family. I think most of us have no idea what it's like to be so close--Paca was still cooking and eating or visiting with or working with one of her kids every day--even though the kids are in their 50s! And Piedad's kids still slept in her apartment on weekends. The irony is, we came back to live in Sahagún because Paca was here.... Such a loss. I miss her greatly. I'll never forget her saying, "We burned the monastery!", referring to an event that happened in Sahagún in the early 1800s....
We're sorry, Mom.
Yeah, we really are. I guess it really is hard being alive. You die.
You said it.
But on the other hand, you get to live.

All aboard the Transcantábrico!

2009-12-06T12:09:00.000-08:00

Mom says we should just go to bed, now that we're back from our luxurious Transcantábrico train ride along northern Spain, but I just can't go to sleep without sharing our adventures with our adoring public!
Honey Bunny, I think Mom's right.
Who's side are you on? After all, we had such a good time, so much to tell people--
Okay, okay, just get on with it.
Well, in fact, much of it was kinda boring. Mom wouldn't let us out to meet anyone except the wait-staff until the very last day--she said she didn't think the Spaniards on the trip would understand about us.
Boy was she wrong!
I know--we had a rave reception when we were let out of the bag!
Indeed.
But we had a great time anyway, didn't we?
Indeed.
I mean--that luxe bedroom at the 5-star Parador of Los Reyes Católicos in Santiago de Compostela.... with a canopy on the bed.
It was a 500-year-old pilgrims' hospital. Really posh.
I do like posh. And then we had our own private compartment on the train. They called it a sweet. And it was!
You mean a suite. Actually, it was Mom and Dad's. But they share it with us. And it wasn't a suite. It was a cabin with a bathroom.
The website called it a suite.
It sounded better that way. But it was very nice. And the bathroom shower was also a steam shower and a massage shower!
We got to watch some gorgeous countryside roll by. Mom put us next to the big window at the foot of the bed.
But we didn't get to sleep in bed with them.
There wasn't room. In fact, Dad couldn't quite stretch out all the way.... The train is a narrow-gauge train, and they could only make the cabin just so big and still have room for people to walk down the corridor. They did the best they could.
Good thing most Spaniards are shorter!
And the food was good.
How do you know?
I heard Mom and Dad moan and groan about how they ate so much they were gaining weight.
Yeah, they had a lot of fun. And Ana, the tour guide, was wonderful! That's her in the dark blue outfit, with dark hair and a big smile, holding us in the Hotel Londres in San Sebastián. 2nd photo from the top. Not only is she cute, but she speaks four languages: Spanish, English, French, and German.
Simultaneously.
Sequentially.
Whatever. Maybe it is time to go to bed....

Mineral Baths, Reincarnation, etc.

2009-11-24T13:29:00.001-08:00

Well, Mom and Dad have been SO remiss!
You betcha!
I mean, eight days on the road--trains and cars and--
A great trip to Catalonia. But no update on our blog!
And now they're getting ready to go somewhere else again. Don't they ever stop?
Looks like not. Mom saw this great deal on El Transcantábrico luxury train cruise along the coast of northern Spain--and Dad has always wanted to go....
So there they go. Off again. And what about US?
Well, indeed.
I mean, do we get new travel clothes, I ask you? No!
But we will have a private compartment with a big window, so we can watch the scenery pass by.
Hummph. I want new clothes. And admiration. And you heard them say they might not let us meet the other passengers. Really. I mean, what are we? Pariahs?
Well, you know, sometimes they walk a tightrope. They know that a lot of people don't quite understand about us.
What's not to understand?
Talking fuzzy kids? Time for a reality check, Honey Bunny.
I suppose you're right. It's just not that much fun for us, sometimes. Hidden away in a shopping bag or a backpack... Left in hotel rooms. When they spent a night at Caldes de Malavella VIchy Catalan Hotel Balneario, they didn't even bring our swimsuits!
They weren't planning to go to the hotsprings, Honey Bunny. Cut them some slack.
Only if they buy me new clothes!
They had a great time at the hotel--a fantastic dinner, bubbling mineral baths.... Mom says she wants to go back.
Mom always wants to go back to Catalonia. I wonder whether she lived there in a previous life....
What on earth are you talking about?
Transmigration of souls, silly.
Say what?
You know, the idea that souls lived before and then came back to this planet in another body.
You know, I think you're onto something. That explains a lot. Obviously, you were a clothes horse!

Halloween

2009-10-31T03:52:00.000-07:00

Ho Ho Ho!
No, that's the wrong holiday, Silly! This is Halloween.
Oh. You're right. BOOOO!
Not that we look scary. Mom and Dad couldn't find any Halloween outfits for us in Sahagún.
Guess they don't celebrate 'Trick or Treat" here.
Guess not. It's more of a religious thing here. Tomorrow is Nov. 1 and that's a big day--All Saints' Day--and people go to the graveyard and decorate the tombs with flowers. Even though you'd think they'd do that on All Souls' Day, which is Nov. 2. It gets confusing. But then, I'm not Catholic.
One of Mom's Spanish friends said her mother-in-law had been visiting her father's grave for weeks.
Gee, what on earth did she do?
She washed and scrubbed it, that's what.
Oh. That's nice, I guess.... Humans are kinda weird.
You said it, Princess.
And they even eat "bones of the saints"--I guess they're like marzapan--
There's no accounting for taste.
I guess not.
You know, humans just have a weird relationship with death.
Not like us! We're not afraid! But then of course, we can't die....
Let's change the subject. Today in Sahagún is the Fería de San Simón. It's kinda an agricultural fair, with tractors and food tastings. Used to sell turkeys on the street, but the EU did away with that. Something about health regulations.
I tell you, it gets really weird around here sometimes.
Better to be fuzzy kids, don't you think?
I think! I tell you what, Brown Bear. I really like it when you play the bagpipes! So please, 'play it again, Sam'...
I'm not Sam.
I know. It's just an expression.
Okay. Here goes....

Brrr....It's fall!

2009-10-18T01:18:00.000-07:00

Fall has come to Sahagún, all of a sudden!
Yes, just a few days ago I was still wearing my bathing suit--but now I'm dressed for cold.
It's all relative, of course. 'Cold' is 40° in the early morning, warming up to 60°.
Well, it feels cold. And the poor trees!
This year we've seen the entire cycle of what happens to the plane trees. Starting in spring, the trees branch out and spread to shade the plaza. Sometimes they even connect from one tree to another.
It's amazing how many big green leaves there are!
And then, when autumn comes, the workmen come along and cut them back, all at once.
They told Mom and Dad that this saves them from having to sweep up leaves. And it keeps the trees from blocking the view. But it seems pretty cruel to us. Poor trees.
But maybe they don't mind.
Really, Brown Bear! If you were a tree, wouldn't you mind being amputated every year for someone else's convenience?
Guess you're right, HB. Didn't realize you could be so empathetic.
I can be. Especially since our pilgrimage into the heart with Ferran. I've learned a lot about gratitude and appreciation of others.
Thanks, Ferran!

Back from the Camino

2009-10-06T02:59:00.000-07:00

Hi, our patient and adoring public! We've just returned from an amazing journey with Ferran on the Camino de Santiago. We got lots of attention, and there were lots Chi Gong and 'natural geometry' drawing and meditation practices....
I can see it hasn't affected you too much, though, Honey Bunny. You're still the same old Honey Bunny.
Effusive, you mean?
Hmmmm. Since I've been learning about formlessness and original mind, and space, clarity, and well-being, I think it best not to reply.
Oh. You know, I was puzzled by the 8 Treasures practices. I kept looking for treasure but couldn't find any! Anyway, even so it was great.
It was. Walking in the Pyrenees on an old Roman Road that was the original Camino de Santiago over the mountains--not us, but Mom and Dad. We couldn't have made it. Our legs are too short.
And up into the mountains to Aguas Tuertas--oh my oh my! Mom showed us the photos.
And up steep hills to hermits' caves.... and stargazing and meditation and energy exercises. And purification practices. And visiting old churches along the way and learning the Inner Teachings. Or at least trying to. I've got a long way to go, being a bear and all....
Best of all, we got to ride in front ALL the time, on our "throne"--Ferran's backpack. When we weren't there right away, people even missed us and asked for us. I DO like to be adored!
It was a good trip. Reminded me of the Camino journey with Ferran and Mom last year--and with Lynn. Just want to say Hi, Lynn. I missed you! Hope you'll come next year with your fuzzy kid....
A new friend? What fun! I can hardly wait!
Dad's busy doing a DVD of the journey so they can share it with others. Gotta go now. Besides, I want to go meditate for a while. Feels good, you know, to smile down into the earth....
And Ferran taught us a practice that he says is like a mini facelift. That's MY kind of practice! Oh--Dad's going to post some of Mom's photos (she's getting really good!) of us. You see us sitting on the window ledge at the casa rural in Barbadelo, staring out the window, longing to go for a walk....
You are SO dramatic, Honey Bunny. And there are two photos of us with Dad and the group at the Playa del Rostro, where we looked formlessness in the face! (That's kind of an inside joke...Rostro is 'face' in Spanish....)
You are SO intelligent, Brown Bear. You stun me sometimes....
Thanks,I think. And guess what--they're going to go again next year with Ferran. I think in late May early June. If enough other people sign up.
Boy, they never stop, do they? Glad we get to go with them. They sure have an adventurous time! Bye for now----

Off for Another Adventure

2009-09-17T00:45:00.000-07:00

Here we are ready to go on our new adventure to Barcelona and the Camino de Santiago.

Yes, and Mom found some new clothes for us to wear, so I'm happy.

You are pretty high maintenance aren't you HB?

Well, a girl always has to look her best you know.

How about "come as you are?"

Come as you are is not nearly good enough!

Whatever you say, HB.

And you didn't even notice Mom's spiffy new Celtic shirt, did you BB?

Ahem, . . .Well, of course I did. Pretty shirt, Mom. (Nice save, aye?)

Back for a Breather

2009-09-13T07:06:00.000-07:00

Well,, it is about time! Our loyal fans have been waiting too long!
Now, Honey Bunny--you know how busy Mom and Dad have been. First Scotland. Then Catalunya.
Isn't that spelled Catalonia?
Depends on if you're Catalan or English...
Oh.
As I was saying--Catalunya—
But you're not Catalan. That's pretentious!
No it isn't. I'm trying to honor the Catalans. PULEESE let me continue.
Okay.
Catalunya, and then Galicia, and then Barcelona for a weekend Chi Gong intensive with Ferran, and now they're home, recuperating.
Yeah, Dad says that they forget they're just old fogies with young minds.
Which really burns Mom up! SHE says that you're as young as you feel--well, up to a point....
So back to us, Brown Bear. And the photos.
Right. The photos are us having a picnic of salmon cream cheese and an empanada near the holy well at San Andrés de Teixido in Galicia.
"Where if you don't go while you're alive, your soul will have to make the journey when you're dead!"
Yeah--as a bug or something. So nobody squashes bugs en route to San Andrés.
Humans sure do have weird beliefs, don't they, Brown Bear?
You said it, Honey Bunny.
Well, it was nice to get out and see the sights at San Andrés. We usually get stuck in the hotel room.
They let us out of the bag in the train, don't forget.
But what a train ride! It about did Mom in, taking the night train twice. Smells, noise, lots of movement--she was exhausted. Even though they had a private first-class compartment.
I heard her tell Dad, "Never again. Nunca jamás."
You said it.
No, she said it.
Whatever.
Well, all I can say is I'm glad we're getting a chance to catch up and rest for awhile. But not for long--Thursday they take off for Barcelona and then back on the Camino on a special esoteric study trip.
Walking?
No, Silly. With their friend Ferran and 3 other people, in a minivan.
Great! We'll get lots of attention, don't you think?
I think so. Dibs on riding in front!
Brown Bear!

Terror in the Night

2009-08-11T07:22:00.000-07:00

"Oh dear oh dear! Last night was SO scary! I'm still all atremble."
"You're not kidding, Princess."
"I don't know what I would have done without you, Brown Bear. You're my hero."
"Well, I'm glad I've been practicing with my knife so I was able to draw it really fast."
"When those beasts came at us--I thought I would die!"
"Good thing we can't, Princess, or we might have."
"They were so big and ugly and fast--"
"And hungry. Don't forget that."
"It gives me the shivers to remember! I think I'll faint. If I could. I'm in your debt forever, Brown Bear."
"Thanks, Princess. Glad to be of service. And I'm also glad that Dad woke up and wondered what all the noise was about."
Dad: "Indeed I did. Around 4 a.m., I heard something really strange in the living room, like nails scratching on the wooden floor. I got up to check it out and two furry creatures dashed down the hallway, through the bedroom, and out the open window in the sunroom."
Mom: "Then I woke up and wondered what all the noise was about."
Dad: "It was cats. Two cats who had decided to explore our home."
Mom: "And the first thing I said was, 'Oh no--are the kids okay?!'"
Dad: "And then you ran out to the living room and they were just fine."
"That's because I defended us with my knife. They didn't dare get close!"
Dad: "I'm sure that's the case, Brown Bear."
"I felt so traumatized!"
Mom: "From now on, we'll only open the window at the top. Otherwise, who knows what else might decide to pay us a visit!"

Home from Scotland

2009-07-26T02:16:00.000-07:00

Here we are back home from Scotland. I'm so happy to have my knife back! We left it behind because our parental units were afraid it would be confiscated by Airport Security. It is hot here in Spain so we had to strip down a little bit.

Yes, BB, I like your new summer kilt. It shows just enough leg and the bare (bear, get it?) top is most becoming.

I was a little embarrassed by all that skin showing, but I'm getting used to it.

You aren't showing skin, silly, we're fuzzy kids, remember?

Oh, I forgot for a moment. Speaking of showing it all, your sequined bikini is really sexy.

Do you think so, BB?

Well, I like your summer look. It is quite becoming. We do make a handsome, if somewhat mixed metaphor, couple don't you think?

What has meta . . . whatever it is have to do with it? You sometimes use pretty big words, BB.

Metaphor. That's like . . . well, its like . . . oh, never mind.

You explain things so well, BB.

Really? I thought I was at a loss for words.

Well, I'm never at a loss for words--even if I don't always know what they mean. Use it three times and it's yours--that's my motto.

Well, I'll leave it at that. We have to get ready to go to Barcelona tomorrow. The parental units just can't stay in one place for any length of time. Still, its going to be a great adventure.

And we'll be traveling with Boulder Anne. She is a good friend and understands us completely.

So its bon voyage all over again.

Oh, my heart goes pitter pat when you speak in French, BB.

Hmm, well, yes indeed. Ahem. Uh.... By the way, Feelie McCool, we are missing you! Send us a photo or a comment!

Leaving New Friends Behind

2009-07-18T08:49:00.001-07:00

Here is our final posting from the tour of sacred sites in Scotland. We have found many new friends, including Feelie, and Hannah, who is holding us in this photo. We are sad to be leaving all these wonderful companions behind. It seems we have just gotten to know all of them and we have to say goodbye.

Yes, HB, I feel I have a new buddy in Feelie McCool. We had many great conversations in bars all across Scotland, not to mention nights in our hotel rooms.

And all the beautiful new clothes. Especially the new stole Hannah knitted for me.

And my new bagpipe, which Feelie and Mara gave me. It came in handy holding off wild animals in one of the hotels.

I'm just so, so sad. Parting is such sweet sorrow!

Don't be over dramatic, HB.

I'm not being over dramatic, I'm being literary.

Well, I wouldn't know about such things. We bears don't go in for literature, except for stories about our cousin Pooh.

We bunnies read a higher class of literature.

Whatever you say, HB.

New Stole

2009-07-14T13:22:00.001-07:00

My new best friend, Hannah, saw how I was being deprived of my daily new clothes. She hand knitted me this lovely stole.

You say you stole it from someone?

No, silly, you know better than that! You're just trying to get a joke line in to take attention from my glorious garb. Mom even bought me a special pin to wear with it. I'm just beside myself with pleasure.

Well, HB, you are often beside yourself in one way or another.

You're just jealous, you silly bear.

What's Hannah holding? Looks like a lollipop.

That's my thank you gift to my new best friend--Hand made soap.

Hmm, I'll bet she is going to smell good tomorrow!

Animals!

2009-07-14T01:35:00.000-07:00

Yikes! We're surrounded by all these wild animals. Some are just heads on the wall and some are in glass cases. Pretty scary!

It's OK, HB. They aren't alive (or even enlivened, like us). They are just the whims of some person who liked to have them around. I actually sort of like this guy behind us who looks like he just caught a fish. I can relate to that.

Well, I can't! I think they are creepy.

Well, as for me, I'd have to say that things have just gotten stranger and stranger since I hooked up with you guys. What do you think, Puffy?

I'm speechless. (And I hope that guy doesn't take a liking to me and put me in one of his glass houses.)

We will all have to stick together and protect each other. We'll make it through this scary place, you'll see. (I wish I had my trusty knife with me on this trip. Looks like it might have come in handy here.)

Oh, Brown Bear, you are my hero as always! (I think Feelie is pretty sexy, but there is nothing like the presence of a true friend in times like this.)

OK Fuzzy Clan, let's all pull together and watch each other's backs! We'll make it through this jungle. (What is that Bengal Tiger head doing up on the wall? Brrrr. Pretty creepy.) Maybe if I play a piping tune on my new bag pipes we can make it through this.

OK troops, Clan McFuzzy goes into battle led by Brown McBear screeing a tune on his pipes.

(Thanks, Feelie, for the great gift. You and your friend Mara are the greatest!)

McPuffin

2009-07-12T05:47:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, how about a rousing rendition of Kitten on the Keys? Now that Puffy McPuffin is a member of the MacFuzzy Clan we can play it with six paws and two wings! Now that I've found my voice (thanks to a whole day of instruction from McBunny and McBear) I have so many ideas for us all.

Oh, you are sooo cool, Feelie! I can call you Feelie, can't I??

Sure, babe! Anything you say.

Well, don't give her too much encouragement. She can get out of hand.

This is all going way too fast for my bird brain to keep up.

Stick with us, kid. We'll get you up to speed in no time.

Feline McLouie

2009-07-11T09:13:00.000-07:00

Hey Bud, how about a little nip of the single malt whiskey? It's on me!

Oh, you boys! Can't you find any better way to do male bonding than by drinking?

Well, we have to loosen Louie up a little bit and get him talking. You know how liquor loosens the tongue.

I'll bet I can get him to talk. Hey there, big boy, what'cha doing for the rest of the day? We have a neat pad here on Iona, and the parental units will be away all day. What do you say to that?

Meow!

Well, that's a start. Just get permission to visit us and we'll teach you a thing or two. By the way, your new kilt is smashing and sure beats that green sweater you've been wearing.

Meow?

OK, the sweater isn't that bad. And it is sure revealing, what with nothing on the lower quarters. Anyway, let's go to our room and get to know each other better.

Honey Bunny, you are shameless! I'm going to have to come along and chaperone or you guys will get in serious trouble. Oh, and by the way Louie, your new kilt that Mom made for you IS the cat's meow! (Cat's meow, get it??)

Meow!

That's better. Lets have another drink and split this joint. There is much to discuss once the parents leave.

We've Gone Native

2009-07-10T14:10:00.001-07:00

Hey guys, look at my cool new kilt! Mom has outdone herself this time. I think my medicine bag/sporen is out of sight!

Well, BB, my adoring fans will notice that I don't have anything new to show off, but I do have a new name! HONEY McBUNNY!

And, of course, I'm BROWN McBEAR!

What do you all think of that?

We are having the best time ever here on the island of Iona. Our parental units even took us out for the morning tour of the abbey.

Well, they didn't let us out of the bag very much.

Maybe tomorrow. We hope that we get to see Louie again and make him part of the clan!

2009-07-08T10:23:00.000-07:00

Here we are in Highlands of Scotland, a Scottish lassie and her Scots warrior. The tour so far has been everything we dreamed of, lots of attention from all the other people on the tour.

Yes, and one very nice lady actually knitted my headband for me. I hardly miss my knife at all.

And Mom found this wonderful plaid dress for me. Well, actually it was made from a cap, but Mom invented a way to turn it into a lovely frock. The only disappointment so far is that Louie (I think that is how he spells his name) is a bit standoffish.

He is a cat with a long tail and he rides up above in the luggage rack on the bus. He doesn’t appear to speak at all, but his long tail sometimes hangs down from above.

I hope he warms up a bit and comes down to visit with us. I’ve never been fond of cats, but I could make an exception for him I think.

You wouldn’t believe how beautiful the place we are staying is. We have a full view of the loch in front of the place.

I’ll ask Mom to take a picture of it to share with all our adoring fans.

New Stuff

2009-07-06T06:30:00.000-07:00

At last at last! Mom FINALLY bought us new clothes!
Now Honey Bunny, she's been trying for months, but she couldn't find anything worthy of us.
At last at last! What do you think, Brown Bear?
I think you look--well, you look absolutely amazing! I'm speechless.
Thanks, I think! My swimwear goes with my ankle bracelets, doesn't it?
Indeed.
The only problem is, I don't know what Mom was thinking--we're in Scotland, not Mallorca! It's cold and rainy! I don't think I'll be swimming anywhere soon.
We are going to the islands, you know--Isle of Skye, Iona, Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides to see the Callanish Stones....
Oh. Maybe that's what Mom was thinking. But I still need more clothes--I can't meet the mystery guest in my swimsuit! It just wouldn't be proper.
What do you think of MY new outfit?
Cool, Brown Bear. A Manchester United backpack. You are just so cool! And you can carry my extra wardrobe accoutrements in it, can't you?
Well, actually, I was thinking about carrying fishing tackle and maybe a sleeping bag and an umbrella. For when I'm out in the wild, rugged mountains of Scotland.
That's just so rav, Brown Bear! Are we ready to go or what?! Let the journey begin!

We're on the Road Again

2009-07-05T01:21:00.000-07:00

Here we are in beautiful Scotland. Well, at any rate, our parental units assure us it is beautiful. So far, we've been kept locked up in the hotel room. HELP!!!

Now Honey Bunny, you know you are always over-dramatic. We have been mostly in the room, but you remember that the maid played with us and we got out in the train station and on the airplane. And how about that beautiful picture Dad just took of us in the garden behind our hotel?

Well, maybe it isn't quite as bad as I said, but I want to meet everyone and be admired.

That will happen soon enough. We join our tour in a few days and then we'll be front and center. You will be universally admired and we'll have all the company we want--including a new "mystery" friend!

OK, but it better be soon or I'll pout.

You'll pout anyway, HB. I know you too well.

Here We Go!

2009-06-30T08:04:00.000-07:00

We're all ready to take off to Scotland just as soon as our parental units can get their acts together.

Now Honey Bunny, you know that it takes a lot of planning to go on a trip that will last for over two weeks.

Not for me! I just ask Mom to pack all my stuff and I'm ready to go.

We do have a pretty easy life, don't we?

No! It's very hard not being admired all the time. I just long for admiration.

You just never get enough do you, HB? Isn't it enough that we have been issued a special invitation by David and Mara to join the Scotland tour? And isn't it enough that they have promised someone special for us to meet? And isn't it enough that all those new people will meet us and want to spend time with us?

That sounds good, but where is the admiration that I want today?

You'll just have to make do with my admiration for now.

Oh Brown Bear, do you really, really admire me?

Of course HB. You are my very best friend and constant companion.

And you are mine BB. We will soon be crammed together in Dad's backpack so close companionship it is. Take a good deep breath before he closes us in.

We don't breathe, HB.

Oh, I forgot for the moment. Well, gird your loins, as they say.

They do?

Well, somebody must. Off to Scotland and new clothes!

2009-06-29T10:34:00.000-07:00

Well, it's about time!
I'd say! Almost 2 months since Mom or Dad took the time from their oh-so-busy schedule to write our blog! I guess we're just not important enough....
If you'd look at Dad's blog, http://havingfununtilidie.blogspot.com you'd see how busy they've been.
Yeah, but what are their priorities I ask you? Having fun or family relationships?!
I think we've complained enough.
No, Brown Bear. You don't get it. You can never be too rich, too thin, or complain too much!
Really? Says who?
I dunno.... Madonna? Paris Hilton?
Anyway, now we're getting ready to go to Scotland.
I want a cashmere sweater--
I'm hoping for a kilt. Dad says I have to leave my new knife behind so they don't confiscate it at security.
I'm sorry, Brown Bear.
Me too. I'll feel--well, I feel emasculated without my knife.
Gee, that's a big word. Is it the right one?
Not sure.
Change of topic, kids. Do you know you have a personal invitation from David and Mara to come on this trip?
Really?
That's so exciting!
In fact, David said they have someone they want you to meet.
Oh now I am really soooo excited! I can hardly wait!
Who could it be?
Don't know... But we'll let all of your avid readers know as soon as we do. If we can find wifi in the Highlands and islands.
What kind of a trip IS this? Into the hinterlands? The Dark Continent?
Hardly. We're going on a sacred-sites journey with Celtic Spirit Journeys. There will be 12 of us, plus David and Mara. We went with them to Ireland almost two years ago and it was fantastic. So this time, Scotland! And next year, Wales!
I remember them! We had so much fun.
We sure did. And I remember some of the other folks bought lambkins and other fuzzy kids en route.
That's right. They followed our example.
Well I just can't wait! I don't think I'll be able to sleep a wink until we get there.
Me either!

A Procession

2009-05-03T05:05:00.000-07:00

Thanks, Mom, for writing a blog for us.

Well, it’s about time! Mom’s been busy helping write Dad’s blog and forgetting all about us.

Now, Princess, don’t be so demanding.

Why not? You don’t get much if you aren’t! Yesterday we went out for lunch with Celia Dollmeyer, a visiting American professor doing research on women on the Camino. That includes me, of course. And SHE wrote Mom an email saying we were SO well behaved we should get to go out more often. And the wait-staff at La Codorníz seemed to really like us.

You’re right. We should get out more often. But enough of that. Mom wants to tell about life in our small town.

That’s right. This morning we heard band music—drums and some kind of horn—and looked out our balcony. We saw folks dressed like shepherds dancing with staffs around the plaza. They were leading a procession, followed by the band and then the Cofradía de Jesús Nazareno carrying a flower-covered paso of San José. He’s the patron of the brotherhood.

Living on the plaza is a real experience in small-town Spanish life. We sure are lucky!

It is indeed amazing how much pageantry there is in this little town of 2500 people. And there was our friend Paca, the matriach of the Luna-Tovar family! She's the short woman in the dark skirt and red sweater in the second photo, standing on the sidewalk, looking at the paso.

Mom went downstairs to learn more and ran into an acquaintance, who told her the Association of Pastores (Shepherds) of Joarilla de Las Matas were the folks wearing sheepskins and dancing with their staffs. Apparently it’s a traditional Leonese custom in that village.

Leonese? LIONS? OH NO!

Not lions. Leonese--the adjective for people of the province of León, named after the Legio Septimo, the Roman Seventh Legion, based here nearly 2000 years ago.

Well, that's a relief! Though I'm sure Brown Bear would have kept us safe if there had been lions! And we’ve got the PRIMO location, with a balcony on the plaza mayor!

We sure our having fun. But I hope we get out more often, now that Celia has encouraged Mom…. Just listening to the murmur of the crowd down below us makes me want to get out and dance!

Really, Brown Bear?

Really. You've heard of dancing bears, haven't you?

You are full of surprises!

An Outing (We Guess)

2009-04-24T07:40:00.000-07:00

Our good friends, German and Peggy invited us out to a fair yesterday. We rode in the front seat with them and enjoyed the countryside.

But, we didn't see any of the wonderful sights that they talked about. Pooey!!

Yes, it was a bit disappointing, but Peggy is really fun to be with and it was good to get out of the apartment for a day.

Boring!! I wanted to be admired by the thousands of people who came to the fair.

I don't think many Spaniards would know what to make of us, Honey Bunny.

Well, that's just their fault. I got very tired and, on the way home, I took a long nap in Dad's arms. That made up for a lot of the rest of it.

Yes, and Peggy took good care of me too. It was a fun outing.

Mom's Meditation Space

2009-04-21T12:04:00.000-07:00

Mom got her meditation space finished today and we got a place of honor looking out over her altars and outdoors to the terrace.

The room is kinda like a glassed-in porch. It's sort of an inside-outside kinda place, with brick and white-painted walls, and a nice wood floor.

Mom and Dad say the space feels really great.

There are some cats that prowl on the terrace, so I'm glad we are safely inside.

Me too. I actually saw a cat catch a bird out there today and it wasn't pretty.

I averted my eyes. It was just too much for my delicate sensibilities.

Yes, we know how delicate you are, Princess.

SO?

We're considering staying out here most of the time. It is just such a special place, and we are not far from Mom and Dad at night.

Mom was SO excited a few mornings ago--she woke up early and looked out from the bed through the windows in the sunroom/meditation room to the sky above the rooftop terrace, and there was a sliver of a waning moon rising. Talk about romantic!

She even nudged Dad so he'd wake up and see. Talk about romantic!

Our New Home

2009-04-19T10:22:00.001-07:00

Here we are in our new home. Mom and Dad have been working so hard to get us here that we haven't even asked for a new post.

Now that they are finished with the move we will demand some more photos to show everything we have in our new place.

We've had several visitors and they have enjoyed meeting us. They have all admired my knife a great deal and commented on HoneyBunny's attractive attire. Our Spanish is not very good, but they understand (at least when Mom or Dad speaks for us).

If you want to see more pictures of our house and our wonDerFUL view--Mom says it's a view most Spaniards crave--our balcony looks right out on the plaza mayor!--anyway, if you want to see more pictures, visit "Dad's" blog at http://havingfununtilidie.blogspot.com

Semana Santa

2009-04-10T10:23:00.000-07:00

Well, it is about time that someone put up a post for our adoring fans. Mom and Dad have been really neglecting us these past weeks.

Now Honey Bunny, you know that they had to work very hard to get us out of Santa Fe and all set up here in Spain. Give them a break!

I’m still in a snit about how long it has been since we have had some recognition. But Dad has promised to do better in the future.

Well, you’ll have to admit that riding on the paso -- that's Spanish for a religious "float" -- for the Holy Week procession was pretty special.

You know as well as I do that we were left at home and Dad just did one of his tricks to make it look like we were there.

OK, I’ll admit that we were there

only in spirit, but I’m not sure I would have wanted to actually see some of the stuff they were parading around with. It all looked pretty bloody to me. We bears are mostly vegetarian and I don't go in for blood.

Bloody, yes, but dramatic

and you know how I go for drama.

Yes you certainly are a drama queen, that’s for sure.

I don’t think I like the sound of that.

Well, drama queen or not, you are my princess.

Oh you say the nicest things, Brown Bear. You are my best friend, too.

By the way, if you want to see a lot of Holy Week photos go to Dad's blog: http://havingfununtilidie.blogspot.com

My New Bag

2009-03-15T18:18:00.000-07:00

I’ve got the best mom in the world! She found this wonderful leather bag to put my new knife in. Now I can reach it whenever I need to cut up a salmon or dig into a bee’s nest! I’m so happy I could dance for joy (with a little help, of course).

Brown Bear, I’m so jealous of your new treasure. When has mom done ANYTHING for me, that’s what I’m asking!

Now Honey Bunny, mom launched her new book at the pilgrims gathering in Albuquerque this weekend and you know all too well that you are a featured player throughout the book. I only come in at the end as kind of an afterthought.

Well, that’s true, but did mom let us out to be the star of the show?? Did she? Did she?

People will need to read the book, then they will be lining up to meet you and get your autograph, just like a rock star. You wait.

Waiting is not a part of my agenda. I want it ALL NOW!

Patience, Princess. Don’t get your ears in a tangle over this. You’ll be as famous as you want to be before you know it. And besides, fame isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Why, a relative of mine became quite famous, and now he is featured in all sorts of cheap and cheesy toys, and they even have made movies of him that don’t do him justice.

Oh Pooh!

That’s his name all right! You wouldn’t believe what Walt Disney studios did with him. The last I heard, he was hiding out somewhere in the north woods, ashamed to show his face in public.

You’re just trying to change the subject. I still want fame right now. I don’t care if it comes at any price.

Now, Princess, you are famous with me. Isn’t that good enough.

Oh, Brown Bear, you say the sweetest things.

It’s all that honey that I eat, Princess, and you know that your name is honey on my lips.

Oh, Brown Bear! You are the loveliest bear. How about a little kiss??

Don’t get any ideas.

More of our friends

2009-02-19T17:49:00.000-08:00

'Mom' had taken more photos of us and our friends! I can't wait to share this with you! There's Bronze Owl, who is the best friend of Snowbird. And there's the very first fiberalchemy, The Green Man.

He looks kinda sad, I think.
He's been all alone here. No plants or anything to keep him company!
Poor guy.
We tried to cheer him up.

'Mom' and 'Dad' have been SO busy--finishing 'Mom's book, Walking Through Cancer - A Pilgrimage of Gratitude on the Way of St. James.
Makes me tired just thinking about all that walking!
Yeah, well, without shoes it would be kinda hard.
But at least we didn't have to walk--we got to ride in the Bunny Bag!
It was quite a journey, wasn't it, Honey Bunny?
Yeah, and we have a featured place in the story, so I hope our loyal followers will read it!
Is it available already?
Maybe by the end of the month....
Maybe sooner if 'Mom' weren't taking so much time writing our blog...
NO WAY! BTW, I think she should buy us special gifts for talking up her book. Whatdayouthink?
I think you should quit while you're ahead.

Back in Santa Fe

2009-02-19T07:56:00.001-08:00

We got back to Santa Fe on Monday, but Mom and Dad were very busy finishing Mom's book, so they didn't have time to help us put up a post for our adoring fans.

We were, of course, very tired too, and spent a lot of time sleeping (hibernating).

We were so happy to see some of our friends that had been waiting in the Santa Fe house for us. First, we spent time with the beautiful snowy owl that was guarding the living room. He/she (I don't know much about such distinctions) had much to tell us about Katharine, who lived in the house part of the time while we were gone. She really admired our friends while she was here.

Well, Honey Bunny, that is about enough news for one time. Save some for future postings.

OK, Brown Bear. You said it.

Back from Asturias

2009-02-10T02:27:00.000-08:00

“We’re just back from a MAAAAVALUS trip!!”
“It was wonderful, wasn’t it, Honey Bunny? The snow-covered mountains, the emerald green valleys of Asturias in northern Spain—“
“That’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about the new t-shirt Renate gave me and all the attention I got!”
“That’s all you think about, isn’t it, Princess.”
“Absolutely! My t-shirt says, “I’m fed up with being so good and sleeping alone!”
“Of course, that’s blatantly false. You’re not so good, and you don’t sleep alone. We sleep together.”
“Well, you know what I mean.”
“I thought you learned something from the nights we spent on the stepstool. First, you were on my shoulders all night long.”
“And I was light as a feather, wasn’t I!”
“Not. And then I was on your shoulders all night long. I thought you learned what it felt like to have to carry such a burden.”
“Well, you’re right. I guess I forgot already. Who wants to dwell on pain and difficulties? Besides, I bet you were more of a burden on my shoulders than I was on yours. I’m light as a feather!”
“Not. We had a great time, even if the weather alternated between snow and rain—and sometimes did both at the same time. Dad talks about what we did in his blog at http://havingfununtilidie.blogspot.com. Renate and Jim were such good company. I noticed that Renate favored you and Jim liked talking with me. We shared some important insights on ciudadenía—the responsibilities and obligations of citizenship in Spain.”
“Well, Renate and I shared some important insights too—about the importance of ‘fuzzy kids’ when you’re little and when you grow up. And how the lively interactions we have with humans are mutually beneficial. I think that’s what she said. Lots of big words to remember. Something about psychodrama….”
“I liked how she put plastic over us so we could see out of Dad’s daypack without getting wet.”
“She was SOOO thoughtful! We should do something special for her!”
“And for Jim. You know, I got a gift too—a beautiful miniature folding knife, just the right size for cutting up salmon and digging into bee hives.”
“Hmmm. I wonder what we should give them. Maybe Renate would like a trinket? I should have given her one of my necklaces!”
“Wow. That’s really generous, Honey Bunny. Maybe you learned something after all.”
“I know you think I’m a flighty bunny-brain, but appearances are deceiving, Mr. Know It All.”
“Now kids, no name calling allowed!”
“Oops. Sorry. But it’s true! Just cause I like being a material girl doesn’t mean I don’t have depth.”
“I apologize, Honey Bunny. And just cause I look like a stolid strong bear doesn’t mean I like carrying you on my shoulders!”
“Truce?”
“Truce.”
“Gee, I can hardly wait until Renate and Jim come to visit us in Sahagún! We’ll show them a really great time.”
“YUP. We’ll go for long walks on the Camino de Santiago. And eat leeks stuffed with seafood at Restaurant Luis. And—“

“And spend time with Paca and Piedad and Maria’s new baby!”
“Sounds like a plan.”

Unhappy Kids

2009-01-30T09:19:00.000-08:00

Honey Bunny and Brown Bear are very unhappy these days because there have been no new posts for their adoring fans. Sorry HB and BB, but Elyn and I are very busy finishing Elyn's new book and there just hasn't been time. We'll do better soon, so hang in there, HB and BB fans.

The Morning After

2009-01-18T03:21:00.000-08:00

“We had a grand time last night! Although I was so disappointed I didn’t get to go to the hairdresser’s before we went out.”

“We did indeed have a great time, Honey Bunny. New friends, a marvelous house concert by Adam—“

“Lots of attention for me! But I wanted more! More!”

“You always want more. The more you get the more you want. You’re never satisfied.”

“Of course. Isn’t that how it’s supposed to be?”

“Not really.”

“Oh, come on, Brown Bear—when you have a pot of honey, is that enough for you? Don’t you want more?”

“Well…. Sometimes, but then I reach a point when I’ve had enough and more would just make me sick.”

“That’s ‘cause you don’t have enough drive and determination! What a wimp! More is never enough. It’s just not. Trust me.”

“So you’re always unsatisfied, aren’t you?”

“It’s the American Way, Brown Bear. More is better. And excess is even better!”

“I think we’ve seen that attitude causing a lot of economic problems these days, what with greed and graft and bad loans…. Don’t you know the US is in a recession?”

“You just don’t get it, BB. The real problem is that people aren’t buying enough. They should go out and stimulate the economy! It’s their patriotic duty.”

“But they don’t have enough money to do so.”

“Charge it! That’s what I say: charge it!”

“Enough already. Last night was delightful. We went to Rebekah and Paddy’s house in Moratinos and had dinner. Well, ‘Mom’ and ‘Dad’ had dinner while we watched. They had two visitors, Adam and Marta. Americans studying in Madrid. He’s on a Fulbright scholarship and is studying contemporary Spanish guitar playing and guitar composers, and she’s teaching English in an elementary school and studying voice. She’s an opera singer! Adam gave a great concert to the six of us.”

“Six?”

“’Mom’ and ‘Dad’ and Rebekah and Paddy and us.”

“Gee, Brown Bear, how’d you learn so much about them?”

“I just listened. Bears are good at that.”

“Not bunnies. We have more important things to do--like to talk a lot.”

“I’ve noticed.”

“Well I noticed that Marta’s very pretty and she rubbed my ears and admired my hand-knit sweater. What more matters?”

“Honey Bunny, you are incorrigible.”

“What’s that mean?”

“You never change. It’s always about ‘you you you.’”

“Well, duh! What else would it be about?”

(Brown Bear turns away in disgust and takes a nap.)

La Gripe

2009-01-13T02:33:00.000-08:00

Here we are, ready to defend ourselves against the dreaded gripe.
I never gripe, so what is all the fuss about?
Well, I won’t comment on that, but it is not the gripe as in “to complain,“ it’s la gripe, the Spanish word for flu. Dad’s been down with it and Mom is taking protective measures, so I thought it would be best to be prepared with a box of Sudafed, just in case.
So, what’s the flu? I don’t know about such things.
Well, another of the many advantages of being fuzzy kids is that we seem to be protected from many difficulties that humans face. I guess the flu must be one of those difficulties. At least Dad has been complaining a lot (hmm, I wonder if that is what the gripe is all about?) for the past day.
Well, Mom is complaining too. Something about her work I think--she's editing her manuscript on the French Chemin. Does that mean she is getting the dreaded gripe?
Let’s all hope not. We need someone around here who is able to do things like cook and shop. If they both got sick we’d have to take over and that would not be easy. Take your vitamins, Mom and hang in there. We are depending on you.
Yeah. Yesterday Mom went out in the morning and the whole world was frosty! Dad says it’s called “hoarfrost.”
Watch your language!
What did I say?
You know very well.
Hey kids—it’s spelled differently than you think.
Oh.
I never was much good at spelling.
And although we didn’t get to go with them, Dad’s photo-shopped us into the scene so you can imagine us there.
Thanks Dad, but I’d really rather have been there.
You would have frozen your tusch sitting on that park bench, Brown Bear.
What's a tusch?
The part you sit on. I think it's time to sign out and take care of Mom's gripe and my gripe....

Now We Are Royalty!

2009-01-08T09:49:00.000-08:00

Aren't our crowns beautiful? We got them at the Three Kings' celebration.

Well, they are wonderful, but I don't know why you deserve one. I'm the princess in this family.

Well, HB, Brown Bear got a crown for being a prince of a bear. He is thoughtful, tolerant, brave, clean, and reverant.

Well, Dad, but I'm true royalty. It is an inherited position—nothing required from me.

And that is just what you provide—nothing but inflated ego.

Well, Brown Bear, that was not a very thoughtful comment do you think?

Oh, sorry about that HB. Just a momentary lapse on my part.

Lapse, Papse. You aren't as special as you think.

Now kids, let's have some peace in our family. You could both do a little better in the thoughtful department.

Well, I want to wish ALL our adoring fans a Happy New Year.

I second that!

And so do your parents. Happy New Year everyone!

After the Holidays

2009-01-07T02:19:00.000-08:00

It's VERY cold here in Sahagún and all the festivities are over. Life settles into a routine and we watch local television. Not that we understand very much, but the pictures are interesting.

Speak for yourself, Brown Bear. I've told you before that I am multilingual.

OK, HB, whatever you say.

2009-01-06T03:12:00.000-08:00

“What a party we had last night!”
“You said it, Honey Bunny.”
“We didn’t get to go to the Cabalgata, but Rebekah and Paddy came over and ate great Spanish cheeses—“
“So they said. After all, we don’t eat cheese. The fragrance was quite, uh, impressive.”
“Yeah, Cabrales blue cheese wrapped in grape leaves and a Manchego sheep cheese rubbed with lard and brandy and a couple of goat cheeses—“
“And organic chorizo sausage with no preservatives! Not that we ate that either.”
“And the piece de resistance—the roscón de Reyes—a big donut-shaped sweet roll filled with cream and whipped cream—“
“’Mom’ couldn’t decide which she wanted, so Amparo suggested half and half.”
“And covered with sugar and candied fruit. And best of all, inside, a present!”
“’Dad’ got it—a little ceramic figure of one of the Three Kings.”
“And there were more things hidden inside, but nobody got them.”
“Maybe Paddy and Rebekah will later, since they took the rest of it home.”
“And then there was the Cabalgata tractor and float procession of the Three Kings and their attendants, which we didn’t see, but we looked at pictures afterwards.”
“'Mom' remembers seeing the cabalgata 26 years ago—the Three Kings came riding on horseback out of the fog!”
“Way cool!”
“’Mom’ was so happy watching the Three Kings get off the train and then go to their thrones in the floats pulled by four big farm tractors.”
“And Piedad and Angel’s younger son, Marcos, was one of the centurions, walking at the front of the procession carrying a blazing torch. He's on the left, toward the back, in the photo.”
“The folks on the floats threw candies to everyone and the kids—“
“And their parents—“
“Don’t interrupt, Princess. The kids and their parents scrambled to pick up caramelos from the street.”
“Then they went to the Plaza Mayor where the Three Kings gave presents to the kids.”
“But ‘Mom’ and ‘Dad’ and Rebekah and Paddy came home instead. It was kinda cold. Way cold.”
“And then they talked and talked, and we got to see the roscón, and I got to wear the crown!”
"This is 'Mom' talking. I'm posting this blog in La Codorníz this morning, and suddenly the Three Kings and their entourage walked in and gave us candies! I asked if they'd been up all night, and they said of course--they were giving out gifts!"
"Whata life. Boy are we having fun!"
"And don't forget to check out Rebekah's blog, http://moratinoslife.blogspot.com -- she's got great photos and more info about the cabalgata. Felíz Año Nuevo!"

Settling in, in Sahagún

2009-01-04T03:05:00.000-08:00

“Well, it’s about time, ‘Mom’! Our public is getting impatient!”
“Sorry kids, but we have been very busy and we don’t have internet or wifi in the apartment.”
“It’s okay, ‘Mom,’ I understand. Maybe you can tell our friends about what we’ve been doing?”
“Thanks, Brown Bear. We arrived in Sahagún last Sunday and were very warmly greeted by our ‘Spanish family,' the Luna-Tovars. I met them in 1982 when I was doing fieldwork for my Ph.D. in anthropology. They welcomed me and my then-twelve-year-old son, Jesse, into their family. And when Gary and I returned here in 1997, they took us in again as family—just as they have this time.”
“Oh, enough already! Tell everyone what you’ve been doing while you left us behind!”
“We settled into a lovely new 4-star hotel in town (only 65 Euros a night) for a few days. Monday we went with Piedad (the 50-year-old daughter of ‘our’ family) to Palencia (about 45 minutes away by car) to finish the application process for our Spanish identity cards. She has been wonderfully helpful! We were afraid it would take months but they should arrive within 25 days. But we can’t leave the country until we get them, so we asked Piedad, her brother, Pedro, and her mother, Paca, to help us find somewhere to stay in Sahagún for a month. Miracle of miracles, they found us a three-bedroom, furnished apartment on Tuesday for 325 Euros a month. We moved in on Wednesday morning (New Year’s Eve)."
“It’s been such a whirlwind! Who would have believed how busy we’ve been!”
"We?"
“It is hard to believe how much we’ve accomplished. New Year’s Eve we spent with Rebekah (an American) and Paddy (her British husband), who live in a very small town nearby called Moratinos. Then the four of us came back to Sahagún to celebrate New Year’s with everyone at the plaza mayor. Only—nobody was there!”
“Nobody was there?”
“Nobody was there?”
“Nobody was there. Even the bars were closed.”
“Unheard of!”
“So the four of us ate grapes (a Spanish tradition) under the old clock tower as the bells struck midnight. And then we wandered the streets wondering where everybody was!”
“They were at home, weren’t they?”
“Right on, Brown Bear.”
“Of course. Spaniards celebrate New Year’s with their families, just as bears do.”
“But then they go out and party, just like bunnies, right, ‘Mom’?”
“Indeed. Piedad and her husband, Angel, and the visiting cousins and everybody went out after 2 a.m. and partied for hours. I’m told the bars were full of people.”
“Oh, why didn’t I get to go!”
“We didn’t go either, Honey Bunny. There was something wonderfully iconic about these four ignorant foreigners wandering the empty streets crying out, ‘Where are all the people?’”
"Well, you didn't know better. You'll learn."
“Indeed. There is lots to learn. We went to Piedad and Angel’s home for New Year’s Day meal, complete with gambas (shrimp with their heads on)--"
"'Dad' photoshopped us onto the edge of the casserole!"
"clams, mussels, free-range chickens from their backyard, salad with pomegranate seeds and escarole from their extensive backyard garden, homemade flan contributed by one of the aunts… It was a multigenerational affair, ranging in age from Angel’s 99-year-old father to Angel and Piedad’s thirteen-year-old son Marcos, a gifted flute player and actor. Their other son, Alvaro, is fifteen, and loves to play Spanish football (soccer) and work in the garden with his dad. Everyone ate amazingly tasty, high-quality food, drank wine, and then, later, played cards for hours.”
“We missed it all!”
"Sorry. We just want to take it slow with introducing you to people."
“You haven’t introduced us to anyone yet!”
“Yes we did—you met Rebekah today when she came to show us around town and shop at the Saturday morning market.”
“Harrumph.”
“All things in good time, kids.”
“I hope so! Otherwise we shoulda stayed home!”
“And didn’t you go to León Friday?”
“Oh right. We’ve done so much… We took the train to the capitol city, León, and searched out health food stores, etc. to see if we could get such things here. And we can. Organic coffee and veggies, almond milk (in powder), organic teas—the selection is much smaller and you have to go to lots of stores to find everything, but we got everything on our list, including beeswax candles and tea tree oil. Amazing. And there’s even a Pilates/Gyrotonics center, and an acupuncturist, and Tai Chi… Our needs our met! And this Monday evening we’ll go see the cabalgata, a horseback procession (well, it used to be—maybe now it’s on tractors!) of the Three Kings.”
“Sounds like fun.”
“Can we go? Please please?”
“We’ll see. What do you think, Brown Bear, have I written enough for now?”
“I think you’ve caught everybody up to date. So, until later--"
"Wait--there's more! If they go to 'Dad's' blog, http://havingfununtilIdie.blogspot.com, they'll see photos of the whole dinner party with our family! So don't waste a minute, friends--check it out! Hasta la vista---"

And Now Spain!

2009-01-02T11:42:00.000-08:00

Here we are in the depths of Spain. Mom and Dad haven't had time to take our picture here, but we promise one soon. In the meantime, here is another for our fan club in the USA. It is one of my favorite US costumes (new wardrobe to come here in Spain!) Feliz Año Nuevo to all our adoring fans!

Well, HB, you are over the top, as usual. How is it that you always get the top billing here?

More photos to come, we promise.

We're in Atlanta--

2008-12-27T10:34:00.000-08:00

"Well, here we are in Antalanta--"
"You mean Atlanta."
"Isn't that a lost civilization?"
"I guess it got found, right here in Georgia."
"Isn't that in Russia?"
"You sure know your geography, Honey Bunny."
"I get around. As I was saying. 'Dad' is SUCH a tekkie--he took our photo and photoshopped it cause 'Mom' couldn't remember how to turn on the fill-flash function..."
"Yes, here we are. Waiting for the next leg from Atlanta to Madrid."
"You sure we're not on a lost continent?"
"I'm pretty sure...."
"I don't know where we are--all I know is I've never been so squished in all my life. Sharing a daypack with Brown Bear is no picnic."
"At least I don't snore."
"WHAT!"
"Now kids, this is no way to start a long walkabout."
"A what?"
"We're on a walkabout. All we know is where we start. Where we end up is anyone's guess."
"You mean we're lost already?"
"Not all who wander are lost."
"Who said that?"
"Bilbo Baggins, I think. Or maybe Frodo. It's from The Lord of the Rings."
"Oh Brown Bear, you're so--so--so airuudite."
"Thanks, I think."
"Ahem. Don't you want to say something to the folks who've taken time to comment on your blog?"
"Oh yes--thanks so much, Ginn----hope you've reached Los Angeles safely! Happy Holidays to all our admirers!"
"And thanks for the hug, woodcha. Hugs are always good. My favorite sweater says, 'I Love Hugs.' Do you have any sweaters?"
"Or angora shrugs?"
"Not to change the topic, but I will. 'Mom' says it's time to go get something to eat, so goodbye for now."
"Adew!"

Hasta la vista!

2008-12-26T07:18:00.000-08:00

"Well, here we are, ready to go!"
"'Mom' wouldn't let us take our bed and the blanket Kaatja knit for us. Bummer."
"Now Princess, there just isn't enough room. They're trying to travel light, you know."
"Light, shmite. We don't get our bed! How will we sleep?"
"It'll be okay, Princess. You always get nervous before we travel."
"You're right. I worry that we'll get left behind somewhere, or that we'll get arrested for traveling without valid passports, or...."
"Think positive. We're going to have an adventure! And remember, you'll get to buy new clothes."
"Oh that's right! 'Mom" promised me a flamenco dress!"
"Feeling better?"
"You bet. Arevaderchee, friends!"
"Is that supposed to be Italian? I thought you were French."
"I am French--and I'm multi-lingual. I just can't spell very well."
"Hasta la vista, friends---wish us a safe trip. We'll keep in touch."

Xmas Day

2008-12-25T07:05:00.000-08:00

Our folks are too busy to even talk with us these days, so we will wish our adoring public "Happy Holidays." There! You thought we couldn't do this without your help. So there!

Oh, HB, you are sure over the top today!

New Friends

2008-12-24T13:58:00.000-08:00

Here are two new friends for HB and BB. Anna West tells us all about them:

"I have two animate equivalents of HB and BB - they are my cats, Ed (short for Oedipuss) and Josie. They keep us entertained all the time. They sleep a lot but this is so that they can entertain us royally when they aren't sleeping. They are watch cats too. So if someone came in who shouldn't we would know because they would both run like hell and hide. If they stick around with tails waving in the air, all is well. I forgot, my fuzzy kids have to use a box. So there's a smelly aspect to living with them. They like to play fisticups too -- they stand up like the keystone cops and duke it out, albeit it briefly. When the term "the fur is flying" is used, this is definitely often the case with them. Mostly it is Ed's fur because his fur is longer."

On the Road Again!

2008-12-23T05:53:00.000-08:00

"Oh my oh my, it's hard to keep up with our 'folks.' They just informed us that we're going to Spain on Saturday."
"Oh my--what will I wear?"
"It is a bit disconcerting how they just change plans--'turn on a dime,' so to speak. And I was just getting settled in for a long winter, looking forward to sitting in front of a crackling fire, eating lebchuken..."
"WHAT WILL I WEAR? Should I take my poncho? My sweaters? My scarves? How cold will it be? MOM!"
"I know this is kind of sudden. We were planning to finalize our Spanish retirement visas sometime in February, but yesterday I called the consulate in Houston and Elisabeth told me we needed to go NOW. I emailed two of our friends in Spain about when was the best time, given the holidays, and when I got up at 3 am (I couldn't sleep), I had replies from both of them that sooner was better than later. So Gary and I went online to Delta.com and, miracle of miracles, found frequent-flier-mile tickets for this Saturday. We're scheduled to return in mid February, but hopefully we'll be back sooner--it all depends on the Spanish bureaucracy and how soon we get our Spanish ID cards."
"Who cares about all that--I want to know what to WEAR!"
"We're going to be traveling light, so you'll have to make some hard choices. One outfit. Each of you."
"That's cruel! I'm gonna report you to the SPCFK--"
"The what?"
"The Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Fuzzy Kids."
"Perhaps you'd prefer to stay home?"
"Home Alone?"
"That's a movie, you know...."
"Exactly! A terrifying tale. No, I'll go, but under protest."
"You might have fun. Who knows. We plan to spend time in Spain taking care of business, and then go to Malta. It's off-season and 1/2 price, and I've always wanted to go there. And we'll spend time in the Barcelona area as well, going to Girona, where I spent a few days last September. Wonderful city."
"Sounds like an adventure. I like adventures."
"Exactly. You've got a great attitude, Brown Bear."
"What about our adoring public?"
"We'll have the computer with us so I can keep posting your adventures online."
"Well, in that case...."
"I knew you'd see reason."
"Au revoir, my public! I guess you'll just have to wait for the next installment."
"Life is never dull here."
"Gary tells me, 'It's a great life if you don't weaken.' He's right. All this excitement keeps you young."
"Hi--This is Gary--or maybe it makes you old prematurely! I'll let you know later which it is."

A post from a new friend!

2008-12-23T05:51:00.000-08:00

dear brown bear and honey bunny,

allow me to introduce myself. i am woodcha woodcha, a flying, flop eared, yiddish wolfhound. my name stands for would you hug me, would you kiss me, would you love me, would you, would you. perhaps more about my breed another time. i am, as you can tell, very loving. we can never love or be loved by too many people, i say.

i have been told that my "person" had the delightful experience of becoming acquainted with one brown bear on the camino. i understand that they spent considerable time together. even doing some snuggling. i want to make it clear that i am not jealous of their time together, i love sharing my amazing person with others. she and i have been together for 30 years, give or take, so that we have established a deep bond and fine trust. what i was sad about was that she left me, again. she does it often to travel on her own. (not a complaint you understand...just stating a fact). to take this amazing pilgrimage without me, so i am happy there was another fuzzy being to keep her company. and i was left very nicely among pillows for comfort in the sunshine of a window which helped me count the days until her magical return. and i had the occasional visitor, two legged indoors and some four legged or winged on the other side of the window, all of which i thoroughly enjoyed.

i also enjoyed reading (and i am not necessarily easily satisfied.. i require a certain degree of integrity, humor and curiosity) your blog, my new friends, and i hope we continue to get to know each other and share experiences both new and past, because i can tell you are both tres (heard you were french) interesting. and i know my person enjoyed her time with you, brown bear, and your person and my person is very discerning,

she has even read me some excerpts from some of your person's books which i found to be enlightening and stimulating, as well as, entertaining. I hope to hear some more. do you have any favorites?

i wish you happy holidaze and pretty lights (i do enjoy my lights) for whatever you choose to celebrate this time of year. we celebrate just about everything here one way or another with is educational and life enhancing. and since i don't get out as much as you two do (maybe i can use you as an example and find a way to participate more in life on the other side of the window.....hmmmmm). i can learn from you. never enuf learning, i say. role models are good things, no?
.

December 21, 2008 4:54 PM

Our First Email!

2008-12-21T13:49:00.000-08:00

"We've got such exciting news! We just received our first email--"
"Quit hogging the show!"
"Hogging the show? I'm not a pig, I'm a bear!"
"Precisely. Now, as I was saying--"
"WAIT A MINUTE!"
"Okay kids, that's enough. Take turns. Brown Bear, you first."
"We just got our first email. From Lynn and Lambiekins! Our friends from our Irish pilgrimage journey last year, led by Mara Freeman (Celticspiritjourneys.com)."
"And Lambiekins has a new pink angora sweater. 'Mom,' I want a pink angora sweater for Christmas!"
"And I want calling cards. That will make it easier for people to get in touch with us. Like our friends from dinner last night. You had to write down our email on a piece of paper. They might lose it."
"Don't interrupt. I want a pink angora sweater. It'll look so nice with my earclips, don't you think?"
"Is that all you think about? How pretty you look?"
"What else is there to think about?"
"Now Honey Bunny, I thought you'd gotten over that stage."
"Vanity, vanity..."
"Give me a break. After all, it's Christmas!"
"Enough! I think it would be very nice to invite Lynn and Lambiekins to post a photo of themselves on our blog. What do you think?"
"Grrrrrrreat idea!"
"You kids also had a note from Camino Lynn and woodcha woodcha. Apparently they posted something on the blog, but it hasn't shown up yet. Maybe we need to give better instructions. People need to click on "comment" at the bottom of the posting, and then a screen will come up that they can write on, and they then click to post their comment. If they don't click, the comment returns to the void. To make a post (as opposed to a comment), The blogmaster/mistress (Gary or I) has to send you an invitation email that you respond to. So it depends on what you want to do--make a comment or actually add a blogpost."
"It's too complicated for my bear brain."
"Me too.I think I'm getting a headache."
"Now Honey Bunny, you can't have a headache--"
"I can too! How do you know? are you a fuzzy kid? I'm real, remember, even if I'm not alive!"
"She's right, you know. She's a real headache."
"I think you kids have had too much excitement and too much sugar. Time for a 'time out.'"

On that note....

We have email!

2008-12-19T13:26:00.001-08:00

Dad has set up an email account for us so we can stay in touch with our adoring public.

And my relatives and friends. (Don't pay much attention to Honey Bunny's excesses.)

Yes, I did get the kids an email address. It is:

honeybunny_brownbear@me.com

The kids will look forward to hearing from you.

We're waiting . . .

Oh, my!

Happy Holidays

2008-12-18T15:56:00.000-08:00

"We've been DYING to communicate with you again, but 'Mom' was too busy--or so she said!"
"You're always so dramatic, Honey Bunny. You know 'Mom' was busy connecting with some long-lost relatives."
"Just WHAT are her priorities, that's what I want to know? I mean, really--what can be more important than satisfying the needs of our demanding public?"
"You're the only one who's demanding, Honey Bunny."
"Watch it, Brown Bear--"
"If you don't stop complaining, I'll stop doing this automatic writing and then you'll be silenced for good."
"Oh. Sorry. I just got carried away..."
"That's better.I know you wanted to wish all your new friends a happy holiday season."
"Yes indeed. As Winter Solstice nears, I know it's long past the proper time for me to hibernate. But with global warming, it's getting harder and harder to get in the proper metabolic mood."
"I HATE it when you get all political on me, Brown Bear! Let's talk about happier things, like Christmas cookies. You love them, don't you?"
"Especially the lebkuchen. How I love honey!"
"I'm looking forward to the carrot cake. Hey, I've got an idea! Maybe 'Mom' could post our favorite recipes? Whadayathink?"
"I'm sorry to tell you that all the favorite family recipes, including the pistachio-cardamom-honey nut brittle, are in storage in preparation for our move to Spain."
"Oh 'Mom'--but can't you find something to post?"
"Well, if there's a request on the blog, I might find one or two recipes...."
"Meantime, let's tell everyone about what we're wearing in the photo."
"Okay. You're wearing your beautiful fairy dress--you're pretending to be one of the sugarplum fairies in the Nutcracker Suite."
"Nutcracker Sweet, you mean?"
"Whatever. And Brown Bear is wearing his favorite 'I Love Hugs' sweater and a Santa cap."
"Does this mean Brown Bear will bring me gifts? Lots of gifts?"
"Gifts?"
"Oh Honey Bunny, you're such a material girl!"
"Of course I am--and proud of it."
"Don't you know you can't take it with you?"
"Of course I know--that's why I want it all now!

(Brown Bear and 'Mom' exchange looks and sighs. HB is oblivious.)

"Well, I think that's enough for now. the biggest gift I can imagine is for everyone to get along in peace--starting with the two of you! Blessings in this season of soon-to-be-returning light."

Introduction

2008-12-16T15:34:00.000-08:00

"Hi! I'm Honey Bunny--"
"And I'm Brown Bear."
"We're SO excited to have our own blog. Finally 'Mom' got around to it."
"You mean 'Dad.' He's the techie in the family."
"Oh, you're such a stickler!"
"Harrumph."
"Anyway, as I was saying."
"Maybe we should let 'Mom' tell some of the story."
"You think?"
"I do."
"Okay..... Mom?"
"Okay, guys. So here's the story. We 'adopted' Honey Bunny in May 2002. We were in Brittany, in a little town, and I went into a toy store with our friend, Ali, who was traveling with us. Ali wanted to buy some stuffed animals--"
"STUFFED ANIMALS?"
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?"
"Oops. I mean 'fuzzy kids.' Is that better?"
"Maybe."
"We'll think about it."
"So anyway, in this toy store, Honey Bunny practically jumped off the wall at me. She had on a light beige sweater. I was surprised, since I hadn't had a 'fuzzy kid' since I was a little girl. The puzzle was soon solved: Honey Bunny was part of an 'early warning' message that I had uterine cancer (long story short, I'd named my uterus 'Bunny" the year before when I had started to have abnormal cell growth, but I thought it had gone back to normal and forgot all about 'Bunny.' But the abnormal cell growth wasn't normal. In fact, it had turned cancerous. I had successful cancer surgery a month later.) Three months later, Honey Bunny went with us on our pilgrimage of gratitude on the French Way of Saint James, a 500-mile walking trail from Le Puy en Velay to the Pyrenees. We walked 120 miles from Le Puy to Conques in October 2002, and Honey Bunny met lots of pilgrims. She became quite the mascot."
"Oh I did indeed--everybody loved me!"
"More on that later. This is getting too long."
"And what about me?"
"We went back in May 2003 to continue walking the route. Honey Bunny came along, without her sweater this time, since it was summertime. We met a delightful German couple and walked with them for a week. Dori fell in love with HB and carried her in her fanny pack. When we stopped walking, Dori didn't want to let HB go. We promised we'd try to find her another Honey Bunny, but there wasn't another bunny fuzzy kid."
"Of course not. I'm unique."
"Indeed. We did, however, find two brown bear fuzzy kids. We kept one--Brown Bear--and sent the other one to Dori. When we got Brown Bear and Honey Bunny home, we realized they had matching sweaters--so they really were a matching pair! Not quite brother and sister, since they are different species--so maybe kissing cousins. ... What do you think--is that enough for now?"
"Oh no! You have to tell our public about the traumatic experience of finding out we're not alive."
"That was a most sobering event indeed."
"Well, it was during a conversation with Honey Bunny, when I inadvertantly let slip that she wasn't alive."
"It was TERRIBLE! I thought I would DIE!"
"At first, but then you realized that being 'real' but not 'alive' has a number of advantages. For one, you never go hungry. And for another, you don't ever die."
"Oh yes--now I realize that it is much better to be real but not alive, isn't it? I mean, we never get old, right, Brown Bear?"
"Right. We might get a little threadbear (get it? Threadbear?) but we won't ever die."
"I think that's enough for now. More later."
"Oh 'Mom'!"
"Enough! You don't want to bore your public. Keep them wanting more."
"Okay. Au revoir! (After all, remember--I'm French!)"
"A bientot! After all, I'm French too."