Oh, wait! I *have* heard of fiddleheads now. I think it was on a Man vs. Wild or other survival-type show.

I guess none of us are without our flaws and shadows, but your mother had the right idea. I'm glad you got to see your Grampy as magical and not flawed. :)

I re-read my sentence up there... lol... the bear I saw was happily at a birdfeeder, munching on *seed*. I think I'd've been a bit more skeered if he was happily munching *on* the feeder. This was up in Northern Minnesota and we were staying at a cabin with friends. The freaky thing was that we'd been letting our smallish kids out to play nearby without worry. Good thing they didn't smell like berries or seeds!

I take it the dog turned out okay? I hope!