Terror in the Night

"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

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

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

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!

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

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

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.