Ph: Beary Tales: Beary Tales (Apparently More Than One) Poem by Brian Johnston

Beary Tales 11/01/17 REV 10
(Remembering Innocence)

1. Bear Johnston
"Bear Johnston, " a stuffed bear, IS Boy's friend for life,
Bear shows some signs of wear but Boy's tonsil'S gone too,
And their bond IS like steel, can't be touched by a knife,
Unexpected, "Bear'S" there, post a trip to the zoo. (1)

There're IS's he IS, and some IS's he ain't,
Though his name'S quite apparent when (my mother asks) ,
And no mystery he IS to me, almost saint,
He'S an angel that'S with me through all of my tasks!


2. Search for Rainbow's Gold
Bear Johnston, in truth, IS the best of my friends,
And adventure IS always the path that we choose,
So one day there'S a search for where rainbow descends,
Say a pot of gold'S found how on earth could we lose!

Sure! Leprechaun waits (he'S reward)'round trail's bend,
Camouflaged by green meadow, but here'S the best part!
There'S just smile on his face as we meet our new friend,
And shares, "Real gold of rainbow IS always God's heart."


3. Butterfly Dreams
Bear'S poetry's muse with his quite ‘Beary' views,
Nature always IS good entertainment to Bear,
Dancing bee (2-1)IS a "hoot, " gives his mates honey news
Of more blossoms to share, "They IS just over there! "

A butterfly flying, IS riding airwave,
IS like leaf that in 'free fall' has own batteries,
Pirouettes, dances dance, but IS soon in his grave,
He'S great meal for a bird (more of life's mysteries.)


4. Tonsils, I Hardly Knew You
It turns out the world ISn't safe for most kids,
IS my tonsils' removal a medical scam:
A bad doctor's deceit whose career'S on the skids?
Some adults still are children, and BIG'S not I AM! (3)  

LIfe'S missing a manual called "Buyer Beware! "
And (post surgery)ice cream'S a treat I'd forgo,
Strange! In hospital's world, BEAR'S not recognized care,
But it'S clear to a child "we must reap what we sew! "


5. Tippy's Blues
My first dog, IS Tippy, though cousins' dog first,
A "found" pup, she IS nervous, all motives impugn,
A car ride makes her crazed, IS she fearing the worst?
'Tragic flaw' IS her urge to chase cars to the moon.

Our heart'S in right place, so we take her along,
Tippy leashed (and Bear carried)IS our kind of walk,
Mostly locked in backyard (she'S aggressive and strong) ,
New things seem to upset her; to her life'S a shock!


6. Fishing With the 'NEIGHBORS' Menfolk (4)
To fish with Mom's menfolk for ‘Bear Twins' IS blast,
Theirs IS LOVE for the outdoors, and wildlife galore!
There'S ‘MY' pole with fixed line, bobber, hook, (I can't cast) ,
To ‘break bread' with these men, IS a quite rare encore.

Bear plays with the bait until hook IS worm's match,
He'S ‘in stitches' as bluegills make bobber go wild,
There'S one fish that steals bait (that boy older might catch) ,
But boy's string (5)cleaned for supper IS never reviled.


7. Playing With Fire
My mom IS quite clear on the dangers of fire,
But if boy'S hooked on flame, then it'S hard to obey,
There'S a longing for "MATCH GUN" (6)that most boys acquire….**
Small'S the chance this desire won't come out in play.

Mom's plan IS a punishment fit to the crime!
Sent to bed without food ISn't all we suffer,
First, there'S big box of matches, struck one at a time!
Now there'S fear found in match play; woodshed (7)we prefer!


 
8. Rocking Like a Rose
A ROSE ROCK'S unique and quite rare in God's plan, *
Bear agrees that it'S treasure more precious than gold,
Even clay'S a mixed tale, shares creation with man,
Dirt'S just stardust that'S cold (2-2) : seems what ‘matters' IS old!

Surprise IS quite often found right where we play,
ROSE ROCK'S home IS red dirt if you know where to look, *
A hole dug clear to China IS Bear's scheme one day;
After hours of hard digging, we find a good book!


9. 'Grand Canyon' Vacation
It'S King-ly va-ca-tion, though I'm just a lad,
The Grand Can-yon'S like paint-ing that no one can frame,
San-te Fe, Ta-os stops! (8)"No re-la-tions! " says Dad.
Tip-py farmed out to neigh-bors, but Bear bears sur-name.

The floor of one shop'S paved with tur-quoise. De-light!
Indian "fry bread" with hon-ey IS so hea-ven-ly!
Bear Twins love the i-de-a our home'S new each night!
Just life's trail: there'S a man we find dead sud-den-ly!


10. Stink Bait
A fisherman'S proud of ‘stink bait' that he brews,
"Even mouse wants to upchuck! " but Granddad'S all smile, **
But it'S ice cream to catfish that live in lake's ooze,
There'S short wait but the fish seem to strike without guile.**

Boy'S trusted with rod and reel; soon cast gets made!
But Bear's nose sports a clothespin, for "stink bait'S" so bad,
Sunny day, lightweight chairs, three prong hook, "where'S our shade? "
Yes, each moment IS precious when we're with Granddad.


11. Ode To An Elm (No One Looks Up)
Our favorite tree IS the backyard's big elm,
It'S one path to the sky that for us brooks no fear,
Low limb reached from our swing, once we're there, it'S new realm,
Soon there'S nothing to see! Boy and Bear disappear.

 
This tree IS enchanted; it gets used a lot,
Earth IS left far behind; play with clouds when we dare,
What roams high in the sky, ISn't caught, Camelot, (9)
There IS peace all around with Bear Twins in the air!


12. Give All Quarter (Give No Quarter)
Mom's mom's gift IS coin (which Grandkids celebrate) , *
Though it'S little in fact, candy store'S block away,
Bear and I love store treat, Grandma's supper IS great, **
When it'S time to go home, all the kids want to stay!

Boy's share IS a quarter, but girls just get dime,
These are life lesson's passed on though Boy IS just youth, *
He sees life IS unkind! People run out of time!
That Love'S daily decision, not earned or the truth.


13. Hidey Holes
Bear Johnston IS privy to hidey-holes too,
Hide and seek IS our forte, tight lip IS our fort,
It'S reality check when events make us blue,
Danger'S looking, but news ISn't much to report!

It'S scary whenever my folks get upset,
So much bigger than boy IS, sometimes forget strength,
Though when boy'S wrongly punished there'S always regret,
Belt's abuse IS worse problem than thickness or length.


14. Country Gas ‘Crew'
The ‘Crew'S' taking gas to some farms far from town!
'NEIGHBORS GAS' (4)bright green 'SINCLAIR' truck'S ready to go,
Granddad's engine IS warmed up, cab windows are down,
It IS time for departure and time for our show!

There'S no one we meet doesn't know him that could,
His hand'S proud on my head as he calls me Grandson!
There IS farmer we meet who IS splitting some wood,
Boy IS taught to swing ax while fuel transfer gets done.

 
15. Cicadas! What a Buzz!
Cicadas lay eggs on back elm; it'S home tree,
Their nymphs hatch then, there'S fall to ground waiting below,
Now home'S soil, sucking sap, molting skins till we see,
Climbs a tree, back IS splitting, "Cicada hello! " (2-3)

There'S room for caught nymphs on porch screen for the night.
It'S a miracle moment; shell left; wings fill out,
And their 'moment of truth' IS the next morning's light,
First there'S buzz in our hands; then they're flying about.


16. Piano Lesson
New les-son, "Pi-an-o, " IS sched-uled to-day,
It IS fun to press notes but to make mus-ic'S hard
Poor Bear's paw IS too big; noise IS all he can play!
(Though he'S fond of foot ped-als, I know he loves yard!)

He'S sweet on soft notes when I want to play loud,
He IS slave to dis-ord-er, cuts pret-ty chords short,
Makes short tones last too long, but he'S friend and al-lowed,
He IS "En-tro-py's" (10)help-er, and that'S "Bear Re-port! "


17. Duplicitous Pear Trees
A pear tree'S duplicitous though fruit IS sweet,
For its branches are brittle, it'S easy to fall,
Best to stand on two limbs with your weight on both feet,
But Bear waits on the ground as I give it my all!

One day Boy IS picking fresh fruit hanging high,
Mom and aunt use a sheet to catch pears that I drop,
There IS crack; my feet slip; I snag limb slipping by!
Bear IS tease, "You were almost the bulk of our crop! "


18. Tasting Honeysuckle
There'S long, fragrant blossom that grows on our fence,
Sweetest taste of the summer that'S not from a store,
'Superpower' provoked, ISn't subtle, intense,
Not a whisper of doubt, when it'S there, Bear wants more!

 
Attraction to sugar IS always quite rough,
More addictive than 'BIG' (11)it'S said, fruit of the vine,
But Bear Johnston IS ready; we mean to hang tough,
So beware honeysuckle, the plan IS to dine!


19. Tornado Alley
The wind'S very loud, but how bad no one knows,
Broken limbs lie on ground; Bear IS under my desk,
Thus, we ride out the storm though Boy'S dressed in nightclothes,
But tornado hits town and result IS grotesque.

Outside after storm, the night sky IS fire red,
My dad'S worried 'bout store, so we drive car toward town,
Trash IS blocking the streets, so I go back to bed,
Grass blades nailed (2-4)in our house! Strange but power'S not down.


20. Turtle Farms
Our Sunday farm trip IS worst day of the week,
It IS boring for kids when Dad checks out the cows,
Even though drive IS key to a splash in our creek,
"I will not be a rancher, " IS oath that Bear vows.

There'S box in the trunk for the turtles we see,
Turtle crossing the road IS so easy to catch,
Don't know who'S most excited Bear Johnston or me,
But for our turtle farm, any turtle'S a match!


21. Evil Under the Bed
Our room IS both dark and cold, back of the house,
Although Bear seems indifferent, message IS clear,
If a wolf'S under bed, bloody cinch for a mouse,
There IS chewing on toes if we show any fear.

The truth IS though grown up I still have this dread,
Though Bear Johnston IS claiming bears sleep winter long,
IS there no one but me 'fraid of waking up dead?
"Hear our voice in the wilderness, Lord, " IS my song!

 
22. Pastel Easter Chicks
When Easter IS coming 'round, dyed chicks get sold,
It'S a feast for the eye; they're so fluffy and cute.
It is true Bear Twins bought some but truth must get told,
Though they can run quite fast, lose if dog'S in pursuit!

Cute grows ugly quickly, chick'S chicken at best,
Color'S fade and they poop lots, lack art to engage,
It IS not all that long till Mom seethes with unrest,
So we give them to farmer, RETIREMENT'S JUST CAGE! (12)


23. Love'S A Friend Coming Over
A friend comes to play, and there'S love in the air,
Bear'S OK, never jealous, just ready for fun,
There IS sandcastle built, jumps from swing's arc on dare,
And then hoops we don't count till it'S dark! Who has won?

So palpable; Friendship IS pleasure to shape.
It'S pure joy when toy bulldozers smash "Castle Grand, " (13)
Look! Box turtle IS digging through walls to escape,
And Bear'S buried by boys, toes to nose, in the sand!


24. BB Gun Jealousy
A gun that shoots BB's IS pox to small birds,
It'S why ‘Red Ryder' rifle'S so high on my list,
It IS "pop goes the weasel, " bird dies without words,
Magic ‘act at a distance, ' (2-5)in fact, IS its gist!

Don't think on it much but my choice IS kill shot,
Oh, my God, boy IS lusting, but lusting in vain,
I'd say Bear is pro-life but, in fact, he IS not,
When Bear'S lusting for honey, he thinks bees a pain!


25. London Bridge
"Oh, London Bridge IS falling, IS falling down, "
Meter'S off, but sad song IS what Bear wants to sing,
Watching'S fun; Granddad Neighbors (4)shaves soap off his face!
Though the straightedge IS sharp, Clarence feels not a thing.

 
Now Clarence IS dead, had a "stroke, " what to do?
It'S great loss! House feels empty with Granddad not there!
Grandma moves to be near; her canary'S lost too,
"God, I miss him so much, " IS what Effie tells Bear!


26. Losing Training Wheels
‘First' bike IS for me all about ‘training wheels, '
As my friends' bikes don't have them, there'S pressure galore,
But the starting arrangement IS one of those deals,
And Bear Johnston, (not me) , IS chagrined to the core!

‘First' bike IS designed to go slow, very slow,
It'S much harder to pump, and you're close to the ground,
Feel like turtle at best if real speed'S what you'd know,
So for Bear and myself best if no one'S around.


27. My Lovely Tree Fort
God save my tree fort that'S high up in our elm,
There'S board seat on tree "Y" thirty feet above ground,
One IS high above roofs when he climbs to this realm,
And a foe'S in for trouble, who dares come around.

There'S crate full of clods (grader tore from dirt street) , (14)
Smiling Bear high in tree IS quite hard to get down,
Distant ammo supply IS a cinch to defeat,
Throwing up'S sign you're ill, bombers all win a crown!


28. Castles in Spain
Mom's love IS a "castle" we build in backyard,
All our building material'S trash from Dad's store.
Large appliance crates saved; what IS left to discard?
After doors, windows cut, there'S playhouse to explore.

Each panel'S wood framed, so they're easy to craft,
There IS doghouse for Tippy; Bear gets private door,
Our sloped ceiling? It'S rainproofed, has vents front and aft,
And the brick laid in patio now IS our floor.

 
29. Go Fly A Kite!
What heart of a child IS not thrilled by a kite?
You feel part of YOU'S flying with feet on the ground!
The design ISn't crucial, small bears get it right,
Bear Twin's kite ISn't great, but rag tail makes it sound!

Where'S kite that plays music? Now that would be treat!
Perhaps sound that'S a summons to ‘BATMAN' (not light) ! (15) *
Bear could signal his friends, say there'S dance in the street, *
(Where the music of party IS "Bear Twins" new kite.)


30. The Fourth of July
Why IS it explosions make most males see stars?
‘July Fourth' IS so "cool" to Boy; Bear thinks it'S "hot! "
Folger's can (16)IS in air seeking passage to Mars,
Lucky ant den'S a blast in our neighbor's back lot.

Bear watches from sidelines; he'S shy to get hurt,
Though he'd like longer legs so that speed IS a choice,
He'S excited when Cherry Bombs fill air with dirt,
But he'S sweetest on Sparklers that make kids rejoice.


31. 'Boiling Springs'***
A State Park near home'S a place Bear loves to go,
There'S small pool that'S enclosed, a spring surges on whim,
Sand IS white at pool's bottom and boils with the flow,
Water feeds a small stream to a lake where kids swim.

There'S "Blue Belly" lizard to spur youthful hearts,
Rifle range cliff IS kid's dig for bullets galore,
It'S such fun to leap off, land and roll where sand starts,
Deer and turkeys "must see, " this trip'S never a bore


32. "Act Your Age! "
It'S what people say, "Adult must act adult! "
One IS tempted to smile and say, "Boy, that'S a laugh! "
But if opposite'S asked and youth'S under assault,
IS the parent forgiving, or not see his gaffe?

 
The fact someone speaks ISn't proof that one's heard,
The bear twins need critique, but abuse still IS fact,
It'S too easy for big folk to say youth'S absurd,
Though adult'S unaware, he provokes the child's act.


33. Firefly Magic
Spring's firefly'S ecstatic celestial bard,
For its passionate pulse IS a troubadour's song,
And Bear Johnston IS floored by the stars in our yard,
It seems light flash IS whisper akin to birdsong. (2-6)

It'S Grandma's idea, "Let's catch some in jar! ",
One'S to catch them; one holds them (my, how numbers grew) ,
For us 'having' IS better than 'catching, ' by far,
And to sleep with night sky under bed sheets IS new.


34. Putting Out the Trash (After Dark)
To put out the trash after sun's light IS gone:
Total darkness beneath elm when foliage IS full!
So I whistle a tune, IS life's lease overdrawn?
It'S "BLACK OP" (17)through our backyard, and that IS no bull!

Bear'S left in the house for the bag needs two hands,
But my plan'S not to hurry; afraid to show fright!
IS the end of my tune, ‘FLARE' (18)that Mom understands?
Lead-pipe cinch no boy'S free of things "bumping" at night.


35. Bear's Song
"I think I'm a bear who'S especially blessed,
For I woke up one day - THERE'S THIS BOY in my life!
It'S for sure, don't deserve him, and this truth confessed,
Nor can tell you his ‘presence' means life'S free of strife."

"If ‘GOD' IS ‘provision for life' He exists,
While our actions may fail us, HE'S THERE! That's my song,
Though man tries to say meaning IS what he resists,
You can take this to Bank! There'S a place YOU belong! "


36. Hello Christmas
A hat full of names passed IS hoping to teach:
Christmas giving IS custom observed by each clan!
Siblings loyal, it'S true, Grand folks live within reach,
Here'S hot pie 'a la mode! ' Roast! And quail cleaned by man! (19)

Now Christmas IS finished, kids play with their loot,
Brother's itch IS for whiskey, Dad won't, but plays cards,
Mom and Aunts cleaning up IS bit calmer pursuit,
Bear IS fond of adventure; we plumb neighbor's yards.


37. Overnighting with Bear
But best thing (to last)IS Bear sleeping with me,
I feel ever so safe when he'S there by my side,
(Like the Winter IS warmer, like Spring'S destiny) ,
And swear "honest to Jesus, " this bear IS my pride.

My hope IS you'll all have friends loyal as he,
Frankly doubt, that it'S crucial if girl or if boy,
May you rest with God's servants whose love'S meant to be,
Share your path with companions whose joy IS your joy!

 
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The Poem Now Fast Forwards 70+ Years To The Night The First Stanzas Of This Poem Are Finished:

The Poet Is Sitting Bemused At His Desk Wondering (As He Has Many Times Before)WhyHe Can't Remember Ever Having A BIG Birthday Party Like Some Of His Classmates Had Where Many People Were Invited? Suddenly He IS Shamed By An Insight: "I Bet Neither Of My Parents Ever Had Such A Party Either, " And His Sadness Shifts To Many Generations Before Him. It Is Not That He Was Denied A Party, Such Things Likely Were Uncommon In His Parent's Childhood As Well! ***
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


38. Mysterious Missing Birthday Parties
It'S seventy years now; no birthday stands out!
There'S no trace of a blowout on land or the sea.
Mom IS master cake baker so I shouldn't pout,
Likely guests misremembered if it'S up to me! ?

There'S bear I could ask, but his head's sprung a leak,
Perhaps cake "ROM" (20)IS there, but gray fog rushes in,
And it'S such a long time since we slept cheek to cheek,
IS there possibly reader to help me with spin?


39. The Bear (And Poet)Vanish
"Oh, Bear! How I miss you! This path'S out of time, *
Still, there'S hope our adventures will find a new shore,
Though my verse I think'S lovely, so far it'S my dime,
Here'S my hand, beary friend, let's explore evermore! "*

"I'd love to, " Bear says as he'S...


Brian Johnston (The Wizard of "IS")
October 10,2017

Poet's Notes:
Note that EVERY line of the poem uses the word "IS, " though some forms of IS are less obvious. The result is that the whole poem is present tense. Staying in the present tense gives my story a younger voice I think!

Bear Johnston still exists today, and though his eyes were replaced by buttons years ago, he is really in pretty good shape. I am so lucky that my mom saved him for me. Another star for you Mom!

It is also my hope that showing, children especially, the soft syllables (BLUE)and the hard syllables (RED)in each line will enhance their appreciation for the rhythm of language and especially in poetry and how "meter" makes all verse more memorable and musical.

(1)Some Poetic license here. I actually can't remember how Bear came into my life, but this explanation is at least plausible.
(2)Science stuff - Forgive me for injecting a little science now and then. I love Science and I just can't resist at times. Though Bear might not be expected to know such things, he surprised me quite often with how smart he was! I'm certain, in any case, that this knowledge would have delighted him.
(2-1)Dancing Bees - It's true! When a worker bee finds fresh flowers that have nectar and pollen the bees need to make honey, he comes back to his home hive and does a little dance to tell other workers where to go to find the flowers. It makes me wonder what else bees can say to each other when they dance? Does it make you wonder too?
(2-2)Star Dust - This is my favorite science fact. It is now known that all solid elements and all gases except hydrogen are created when a very ancient star lives, dies and explodes. So it follows then that everything we see, dirt, mountains, trees, and flowers, other animals like us, even water, and the air we breathe is the gift of a dying star. We are truly all wonderfully made - from stardust! Is it just coincidence that the Bible says God made man from clay (a kind of dirt, i.e., stardust) ? What do you think?
(2-3)Cicadas - Cicadas molt (shed their skins) ! They outgrow and change their skin many times before the last molt where the adult emerges and spreads his new wings like a butterfly. Then the cicada flies high up into the trees and makes those loud noises we hear every summer to attract a mate. Common species of cicadas live in the ground for three, seven, or even seventeen years before the final molt where they emerge in their winged form to mate and lay eggs.
(2-4)Grass Blades - Yes, it's true! The winds in a tornado are so strong that they can drive a blade of grass into the side of a house like a nail!
(2-5)"Action at a distance" - There are phenomena we find in Nature that appear magical to mere mortals. "Action at a distance" is one of these, like a magnet pulling a steel ball to it when there is nothing that can be seen causing the action. Or a gun fires, you see nothing, and a long distance away from the gun, a target suddenly has a hole in it! It's magic!
(2-6)Firefly Lights - The light flashed by a firefly is a special signal used to attract a mate. So it is like the firefly is singing to his girlfriend, but the "voice" that the Firefly uses to speak to her is not sound but a flashing light.
(3)"I AM" - This is the very mysterious and wonderful way that GOD describes himself in the Bible. It suggests to me that all of creation too is GOD.
(4)My mother's maiden name was "Neighbors." So in this poem, I am talking about going fishing with Mom's father and brothers (her menfolk) , not the people next door and "Neighbors Gas" is the name of Grandfather Neighbors' gasoline station.
(5)A "string" as referenced here is a long nylon cord or chain with a stake on one end and a metal ring on the other end. People who fish put the fish they've caught on a string or chain so that the fish can be put back in the water and stay fresh longer. The fish can breathe in the water and stay cool as well. The stake is driven into the ground to keep them from swimming away!
(6)The "MATCH GUN" described here is a clever device that both lights a wooden kitchen match and shoots it 20 - 30 feet at the same time. It is great fun after dark! The plans can be purchased from the author at any time for a 12 pack of Dr. Pepper. Cash and/or credit cards are not accepted!
(7)Woodshed - A place where wood is stored for the winter but where children were often taken to be spanked.
(8)Stops - A popular tourist destination. The Grand Canyon is one of the wonders of the world. The city "Sante Fe" in New Mexico is popular for its Indian ruins and Indian art including jewelry. The city "Taos" in Arizona is popular for the same reason but also has beautiful scenery.
(9)Camelot - A mythical kingdom of peace and tranquility on earth under the leadership of King Arthur and Merlin the Magician!
(10)Entropy - Entropy increases the more disorder there is. For example, a small boy's room after his mom cleans it has a very low entropy. Five minutes later (after the boy gets home from school)the room is likely to have a very high entropy.
(11) .Remember the Tom Hank's Movie "Big? " The intention here is to include a child's desire to grow up more quickly and to be "free" like adults are (in his mind) !
(12)Cage - Many adults I think don't do enough to prepare for retirement. Imagine what a chicken must think who spends the bulk of its life in a cage laying eggs! Ha! He retires from life very early!
(13)Castle Grand - So maybe my sandcastle was not THAT grand, but it was GRAND to me!
(14)A dirt grader is a big noisy machine that is used to make a dirt street smooth again after it rains, or a road becomes rough for example. A dirt "clod" is a clump of dirt that sticks together and can be thrown like a rock!
(15)In the Batman comic books of my youth, the police would shine a "BAT" symbol on the clouds above to signal ‘BATMAN' that his help was needed. But what if the sun is shining or if there are no clouds? Do the criminals go free? It would be much better I think for the Batman Signal to be a sound that only Batman could hear!
(16)Folger's "Coffee Can" - A Folger's "Coffee Can" was the gold standard for measuring the power of a firecracker when I was a child. You put the firecracker you want to test on the ground, light it, put the coffee can on top of it, and then RUN! The more powerful the firecracker, the higher in the air the can will go (if it doesn't blow apart!)
(17)BLACK OP - In the military refers to s super secret mission through enemy territory that occurs most likely at night.
(18)This verse is an actual memory. Though I was afraid of the dark in my sizeable backyard, I comforted myself with the fantasy that if I whistled all the way to the garbage can and back, there was at least a chance that Mom might rescue me if something grabbed me and the whistling stopped! No more sound would be like a warning "FLARE" to tell her I was in trouble.
(19)Christmas and Thanksgiving were the two big events every year in my family. So I normally got Christmas presents on three separate occasions, at home on Christmas day and again at each Grandparent's house. These holidays were also a time for quail hunting, and the men rarely failed to get enough birds to feed everyone. The women would cook the birds, but men had to clean them! And as a boy matured it was a ‘right of passage' for him to be allowed to go hunting with the men and have a shotgun of his own.
(20)ROM - Read Only Memory. Bear, of course, is too old to have an electronic voice or need batteries, so he doesn't have any ROM chips inside of him! One needs imagination, not ears, to hear Bear Johnston's voice!