Brunhilda and Borris Return to Their Roots

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Your old friends, Brunhilda and Borris Bearsaltandpepper, but you may call us Brunhilda and Borris Bearsaltandpepper here - - - surely you remember us.

It's not every Bearsaltandpepper who after making his/her way in the world is privileged to return to his roots. But that is exactly what Ma and I were able to do.

Most northwoods bears come from the wilds of the northwoods. Not so Ma and I. We also hail from the northwoods - - -

The "Ben Franklin Northwoods Craft and Variety"!!! Yep, we grew up right here in the slotted shelving system. Our Aunts and Uncles and Cousins all lived here too. Can you see how excited we are to come back and see who all's still here!?!?


Little Miss McKayla was on "bear keeper" duty that day. Isn't she a sweetie??? If Hildy weren't so good lookin' herself, I just might have been tempted to look McKayla's way!! 'Course, she wouldn't even have given a crusty old bear like me the time of day.


With McKayla's help, we soon found our clan. They were all busy doin' what Ben Franklin bears do - - -a lot of nothun'.


Baby Beaureguard, the biggest baby EVER in our clan, did his part to make us feel right at home. Isn't he just cheek pinchin' cute? We're pretty proud of our "little" great nephew!!!


Then we spent some time with our second cousins, Bertha and Berny Bearsaltandpepper. They think they are ready to leave the old Ben Franklin and find their way out into the world. We think maybe we can help- - - - we have a "trick" up our fur for helping them find a new home. Anybody out there think you can guess what it is????


This is the Noserubber branch of the family. They are our third cousins once removed. We visited for a while, but as you can see they are pretty occupied with their chosen profession of nose rubbing.


We were able to have a long visit with Uncle Baxter who is an accomplished fly fisherman. He gave us some great tips for our next fishing trip.


Just before we left our stompin' grounds, we looked in on our Pageant cousins. They are already hard at work preparing for the Christmas Program with their neighbors and friends, the Noel Moose Family. We didn't stay long, didn't want to disrupt their practice, don't'cha know!!!

And now, until our next installment, we wish you happy stompin' wherever you may go!!

(First posted at The Eclectic Company on July 17, 2009)

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Brunhilda and Borris in Northwoods Water Sports

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One very sunny day in the northwoods of Wisconsin, Brunhilda and Borris Bearsaltandpepper (but you may call them Brunhilda and Borris Bearsaltandpepper) decided to play in Gull Lake.

It was just that kind of day - - - the sun was very warm on their fur, a gentle breeze was blowing, there was hardly a cloud in the sky, and Miss Keetha said she would take them to the lake.


First they decided to lay on their bearly beach towel at the end of the dock and soak up some rays. They soaked rays for 30 minutes - - -


On each side.

Then Brunhilda, always the braver of the two, said: "Borris - - - I'm HOT!!! Let's jump in and PLAY in the water."

Borris, the ever cautious bear replied, "Are you sure, Brunhilda??? You know you can't swim a lick!!!"

"Who said anything about SWIMMING," scoffed Brunhilda. "I just want to dip my paws in the water and cool them down."


So Borris, who could never resist anything Brunhilda suggested, padded into the water right behind her.

They splashed and played with their new water toys, Finny Fish and Pinkie Star, to their hearts content. The water was chilly, but in their fur coats they didn't mind a bit.

Soon Brunhilda, the adventurous bear, was bored with just paddling around in the water. "Borris," she said, "I'm bored. Let's go boating!"


"Brunhilda, just look at THIS!" Said Borris in his BEST attempt to sidetrack Brunhilda from the more dangerous water sports.

"What is that thing?" asked Brunhilda. "It's slimy."

"It's a SNAIL, of course." Replied Borris.

"AH HA!" exclaimed Brunhilda as she kicked the shell over. "It's a BORING old DEAD snail. I'm going boating in our NEW boat."

"Only if we stay on the dock" grudged Borris.


"Where's the fun in THIS???" complained Brunhilda. "I want to feel the wind in my face and the spray on my fur!!!! This is what I think they call being 'dry docked,' and I'm simply NOT impressed."

"But Brunhilda, YOU CAN'T SWIM!!" reminded Borris. "I really think we should just stay here where we're safe."

"And dry." chimed in Brunhilda. "No thank you. You can stay here on the dock all day if you want to, but a BOAT is meant for the water and that is just where I intend to do my boating from now on!"

And with that, Brunhilda shoved the little boat into the water - - -


And LEAPED onto the deck. If Miss Keetha hadn't been there to give her a steadying hand, she'd have capsized right then and there.

As it was, she had no idea how to control her little boat, and without Borris' stablizing influence it wasn't long until - - -

She fell snout over claw head first into the deeps of Gull Lake. Immediately she began to go glub, glub, glub to the bottom!

"HANG ON, BRUNHILDA!!!!" Borris shouted, "I'm coming in to save you!"


And with no thought for his personal safety, Borris leaped into the briney deep and pulled Brunhilda out by the nape of her neck onto dry land, where they lived safely ever after until - - - -

Stay tuned for the NEXT adventure of Brunhilda and Borris in the coniferous forests of the northwoods.

(First posted at The Eclectic Company on July 18, 2009)

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"Ambear" Alert in the Northwoods

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The northwoods crime rate is on the rise. There's been a bear-napping right here at Gull Lake!!!!


But never fear - - - I BELIEVE I recognize the penmanship - - -

(First posted at The Eclectic Company on July 18, 2009)

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Brunhilda and Borris Share a Northwoods "Awwwwwww Moment"

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One cold, cloudy northwoods day, shortly after Miss Keetha ransomed Brunhilda and Borris from the bear-napper, they decided to head out into the world to see what they could see. Surely you remember Brunhilda and Borris Bearsaltandpepper, but you may call then Brunhilda and Borris Bearsaltandpepper, don't you?


Miss Keetha nestled them down into their very own comfy traveling compartment in her purse, and they were off to explore new territory.

They rode and rode in the purse until suddenly - - -


Right in the middle of the wilderness that is the northwoods, with nary a town nor settlement in sight, they found this darling little white church.

Borris read the name of the church off to Brunhilda, "Spider Lake Church."

"SPIDERS!!" yelped Brunhilda, "I HATE spiders!" And with that she promptly refused to get out of the purse.

"Now Hildy," wheedled Borris, "There AREN'T any spiders around - - - it's just a NAME."

"Well, somebody must have seen spiders to give it THAT name!" retorted Hildy.

"I'm getting out - - - I don't see any spiders anywhere, nor any lake either - - - so I think all the spiders are at the LAKE wherever it is, and you should come with me."

"OK, but if I see ONE spider, I'm outa there." relented Brunhilda.


They didn't find any spiders, but they did find a sweet cherub. Brunhilda was glad she'd gotten out of the purse to meet the little angel. The angel seemed to kinda like Brunhilda too!

Suddenly Borris, ever the romantic, had a splendid idea.

"Hildy," he said, "Let's renew our vows right here at this quaint little northwoods church."

"Oh Borris," crooned Brunhilda, "You do get the BEST ideas sometimes."

And with that they set about creating a little bride's veil for Brunhilda. When it was finished, and Brunhilda was bedecked with it - - -


They climbed to the very top of the very tall stairway - - -


Where they stood before God and bears and everybody and promised, again, to love and cherish each other until death them do part. Then Borris kissed Hildy right on her bear lips and gave her a bear hug.

We can all take a little lesson from Brunhilda and Borris and remind those we love that we do.

And Brunhilda and Borris lived happily ever after until - - -

Check back here later to see what the "until" brings.

(First posted on The Eclectic Company on July 20, 2009)

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Brunhilda and Borris "Meet and Greet" in the Northwoods

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Brunhilda and Borris Bearsaltandpepper, but you may call us Brunhilda and Borris Bearsaltandpepper, back for some more Northwoods Adventure reporting. Today we want to share a little something we like to call "Meet and Greet."

It all started when - - -


Adam helped us check into the Grand Stay in Eau Claire. He was so nice, and so accomodating, and we did SO enjoy meeting him, that we decided right then and there we'd like to "Meet and Greet" as many folks as possible and try to bring a little ray of Northwoods sunshine into their lives.

And here's who we've met:


Miss McKayla at the Ben Franklin, Northwoods Craft and Variety. We already told you about her, but she is one of the first we were able to "Meet and Greet" and we sure didn't want to leave her out!

Yesterday when Miss Keetha and Fisherhubby were shopping around town, they ran into McKayla TWICE, so I guess that now makes her an old friend, doesn't it?


This little gal helped us check out with our groceries at "The Marketplace." Unfortunately we were still really new at this "Meetin' and Greetin'" game and we FORGOT to get her name.


This is Miss Kate. She was our waitress at Karibalis. Miss Keetha and Fisherhubby have gotten to know her over the years they've been vacationing up north. She even remembered them and called them by NAME this year. We love Miss Kate.


Miss Paige was our waitress yesterday at the Angler Bar & Grill Patio. She had a smile that brought out the sunshine. She didn't know what a blog was, but was happy to "star" in one anyway. Thanks Miss Paige!


Oh dear bloggy fans, THESE are Uncle Ben and Aunt Lois. Uncle Ben is a pastor in Hayward, and you've already heard of Aunt Lois and her "3 rolls of aluminum foil" fame. Miss Keetha calls them Uncle Ben and Aunt Lois 'cause they ARE her Uncle Ben and Aunt Lois - - - really and truly. Aunt Lois is a sister to Miss Keetha's father.


This is Miss Rosie who works in a gorgeous little pottery and art shop. Miss Keetha met her last year because she is the M-I-L of one of the readers of this blog. Oh yes she is. She always takes time out of her busy work day for a chat and a smile.


We just love our "Little Pastor in the Woods," Pastor Mark. He is also a blogger, and you can find his blog here. Miss Keetha and Fisherhubby attend his church while they are in Hayward. He may be a "Little Pastor," but his church is pretty big - - - averaging about 700 attendance in a town of just over 2,000!!!


No, this is NOT a black bear like us, but she IS a furry friend. Meet Cheney, our vacation dog!!! She "claims" whomever is staying in the Little Cabin on Gull Lake. Fisherhubby brings her doggy bag treats and she wags her WHOLE BODY with excitement. We'd love to take her home with us if we didn't think the OTHER cabin dwellers would miss her.

Now here's what we've learned from our "Meetin' and Greetin'" game. We THOUGHT we'd be taking a ray of northwoods sunshine to the people we met, but it turns out THEY gave us more sunshine than we could ever repay.

We think we LOVE the northwoods.

(First posted at The Eclectic Company on July 21, 2009)

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Brunhilda and Borris in "Bears About Town"

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Brunhilda and Borris Bearsaltandpepper, but you may call us Brunhilda and Borris Bearsaltandpepper, coming to you from Up North once again.

I told ma that you were probably getting really tired of our escapades by now, I said maybe we shouldn't post any more of our tails. (I did that on purpose, do you GET it???)

But Ma said she was having fun getting her picture taken and that if you, the bloggy fans of Miss Keetha, don't LIKE the posts, you don't have to LOOK at them - - - no one is twisting your foreleg.

I really shouldn't take that she-bear out in public, should I?

So - - - with Brunhilda's insistance, here we are again starring in "Bears About Town," and I hope Miss Keetha has a FEW bloggy fans left by the time she gets back to Indiana on Sunday, though what she will find to blog about from that flatland I don't know.


Today ma and I want to show you what we've been doing in Hayward. Doesn't it just have the cutest little mainstreet EVER???


Ma says it's just like a little Gatlinburg Up North.

I reminded her that she's never even BEEN to Gatlinburg, so how would she know???

She said she'd HEARD people talking about it, and besides, she didn't need to go to H_ _ _ to know it was HOT, and she didn't need to go to Gatlinburg to know what it was like.
Oh dear - - - she's getting totally unbearable, isn't she?


The first thing we noticed in Hayward was this bucket of doggie water. What WE wanted to know was, "Where's the BEAR water?"

Oh, and if you think we're the ONLY bears ever to roam the streets of Hayward, then you'd be SADLY mistaken. Some of our furry brothers routinely dine out of the finest trash cans in town.

Brunhilda, never one to be deterred, tried to drink out of this bucket. I had to hold her tightly by the hindlegs so she wouldn't do a nose dive into that thing and drown - - - remember, she can't swim a lick.


We took a little paddle with Squiggy Squirrell. Fortunately, remembering what happened to ma and our little boat on Gull Lake, we never left the shelf, and even at that Miss Diane had to give us a steadying hand.

Squiggy mentioned something about taking us for a REAL ride down the Namekagon. Hildy was ALL for that idea - - - she's a very slow learner - - - but I put my big paw down and said "NO."


Later we actually SAW the Namekagon and I was glad we weren't trusting our lives to Squiggy and a little birch bark canoe in THAT river.


We spent lots of time "fine dining." (Miss Keetha likes her food, don't'cha know!?)


We could bearly read the menu - - - never went to school, don't'cha know!


Seems like Miss Keetha, being a school teacher and all, would TAKE us to school so we could learn something!


I went down into the "Man Cave" with Fisherhubby. Wanted to get a new cap, but they didn't have one my size.

Now just what do you suppose is the purpose of THIS sign???

We met Freddy Frog in "Pottery at Best," which is the shop where Miss Rosie works. We had a hoppin' good time with Freddy, don't'cha know. (Don't'cha know is a little something we've added to our vocabulary while we've been Up North.)

Miss Keetha says she has a fun story to tell you later about "Pottery at Best" - - - so be lookin' for it!


Rocky Ricocco Rooster was standing guard outside the FORMER Hayward Library turned specialty shop. He was way above us and hardly even noticed we were there.

I told Hildy it was really a GOOD thing he didn't notice us as we might just look like tasty morsels to him, and besides we'd be at the bottom of the pecking order!


This is Milt the Hayward Muskie - - - he is QUINTESSENTIAL Hayward, it being the Muskie Capitol of the World and all.

We weren't worried about Milt trying to eat us - - - we wouldn't even be a snack for him, he gulps people down whole.


We aren't quite sure why there is a Moose gracing the Hayward sidewalk since "moosi" (That's for YOU Cass) don't live in this section of the northwoods, but we climbed up in his lap for a photo op anyway.

By this time we were all hot and bearly able to go another step so - - -


We stopped in at West's Dairy for a bowl of chocolate peanut butter ice cream.


As usual, ma stuck her nose in it.

Well folks, that's about it for our town ventures. We're planning two more posts and then we'll be going into early hibernation and turning this blog back over to Miss Keetha.

(First posted at The Eclectic Company on July 22, 2009)

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Brunhilda and Borris in "Fishing With Captain Ole"

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Brunhilda and Borris Bearsaltandpepper, but you may call us Brunhilda and Borris Bearsaltandpepper, with yet another episode in the continuing saga of "The Bearsaltandpeppers Take the Northwoods."


I wanted to try my paw at fishing the way Captain Ole (fisherhubby) does it. Ma said I was loony since bears have been catching fish in the same time honored manner for centuries with no help from fisherhubbies, but I persevered with my plan anyway.


First we went down to the dock so I could give Ole's boat the once over; OUTSIDE - - -

And INSIDE. I pronounced it "sea worthy." Captain Ole breathed a sigh of relief I'm sure.

Next I inspected the fishing equipment. Here's what I found:

Poles

And more poles,

Tackle

And MORE tackle.

There were even plastic worms strewn around the deck.

Just when I thought I'd seen it all, I found MORE fishing grear stuffed in every nook, cranny, and CUBby hole.

Hildy said it was just ridiculous to have all that fishing paraphernalia when all he needed was two good paws.

I told her that fisherhubby pulls out fish like THIS 5-pounder with all that paraphernalia so I still wanted to give it a try.

She said, "You don't have a CLUE how to USE it."

"You're right!" I said, "But I know someone who DOES and I'm going to school!"


And with that I began to study what Captain Ole did with all his "man stuff."


I studied up close and personal.

Ma hung around to heckle, which is the way she-bears act in the presence of strong testosterone, and all you she-humans would be well advised to avoid falling into the same bear trap.


Finally I had the confidence to drop a line in the water. It was just a simple line hanging from the end of a brown pole - - - but that was a HUGE technological advancement for a Bearsaltandpepper like me to take.

Ma stood by scoffing.


Suddenly I felt a tug on my line and pulled up my pole. What's this!?! Could it be???

"Hey Hildy - - - look at this!!! Who's laughing now?!?"

"Harrrrumph!" She snorted, "It's no where near as big as the ones FISHERHUBBY catches."

"Oh, but THAT'S where you're WRONG!" I shouted. "You see, it's NOT about the literal size but the PROPORTIONAL size!












And proportionally MY FISH is bigger compared to ME than Captain Ole's FISH is compared to HIM!!!!"

And that shut her up for good - - - - well, until the next time anyway.

(First posted at The Eclectic Company on July 23, 2009)


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