I really do have a BEAR of the human kind sleeping in the den. He's 6' - 4" tall, a gentle giant and dear friend, who's been sick for days. Thus sleeping, actually hibernating in the den. Occasionally I spot the bear rising slowly, grrrrring all the while. I try not to hover and be a pain in the proverbial rear, but it's tough sometime when you see a bear in misery!
On the first day I thought the bear was just tired. So I let him rest.
The second day was the same... more sleeping. I asked the bear if he was feeling alright. The bear's response was literally a Grrrrrrrrrr, grumble, grumble. Then asked if I could do anything for the bear. Another Grrrrrrrr was emitted so I backed off. My dad, a hunter, taught me long ago not to disturb or startle creatures while they are sleeping... especially bears! Thus I left the bear to his sleeping.
The third day was more of the same, but this time I couldn't over look the bear's misery. So with a very quiet voice and maintaining a safe distance away from the bear I inquired again if there was anything I could do. This time the bears' eyes rolled, emitted another Grrrrrrrrr and meek groan... and EUREKA a new response, "yes, ah maybe some hot tea, grrrrrrrrr." Off I went happily to the kitchen to concoct a nice hot cup of chamomile tea with honey and lemon to soothe the miserable feeling beast. The bear polished the tea off in short order and requested a refill. Ah, progress at last. Later in the day the bear begrudgingly ate some toast and drank another cup of tea. Then the bear fell back to sleep and didn't move for hours.
Today, while I heard the bear stirring about, I became fearless and inquired if the bear had considered seeing a doctor. Another GRRRRRRRRR! Oh dear, this wasn't going well. Then the bear stirred again and muttered something to the effect, " grrrrrrrr, errrrrrrr ah... gonna go see my doctor today." I sighed with relief and smiled at the bear.
Is there a lesson to this story? Yes! The lesson applies to hunters and people who handle poultry or other meats of the domestic and wild variety. You see, the bear had been hunting pheasant and dressing-out his kill. Somehow cross-contamination occurred with the poultry which exposed him to salmonella or possibly ecoli. So, please be careful during this hunting and holiday season where ever you are and do your best to avoid cross contamination.
The following link is from Washington State University which addresses Food Safety—Information for Consumers and specifically "How to Avoid Cross-contamination."
http://foodsafety.wsu.edu/consumers/displayTopic.asp?id=3
I realize most people are aware of how to avoid cross-contamination. However, my friend is one of the most careful and responsible hunters and consumers I know and it still happened to him. So it's worth repeating the basics to keep everyone healthy this season.
Wishing one and all a very Safe, Healthy and Happy Holiday!
Copyright by Linda Bourgault 2008. All Rights Reserved.
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