Well, tomorrow I will probably post up something from Sir Butt and maybe something else, who knows, but for all of you I am about to embark on a short vacation.  VACATION?  You ask!  But you are retired!  Why on Earth would you need a vacation?  Well, it’s not for me actually.  It’s for my friends and family who will be at the annual Willow Creek Free Trappers Rendezvous!

You see, Sir Butt usually makes an appearance at this rendezvous and I, being part of the security guard, must make certain the area is safe for Sir Butt to arrive and give his presentation.

Besides, what is a mountain man rendezvous without the presence of the one and only Bears Butt??  Well, it would be a good rendezvous without Bears Butt, but it would not be one HE would remember (not that he remembers much after any rendezvous).

Old age has quite the liking for taking ones memory and making it mush.

Anyway, tomorrow there will be a posting, but alas, no more until the rendezvous is behind us!  You, of course,  will not miss anything should you be in attendance at the rendezvous event.

I certainly hope you can push all of your other “must dos” aside and add a “must do” called the rendezvous!

RRRRROOOOONNNNNNDDDDEEEEEEEVVVVVVVOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

And the city will never be the same again!

Bears Butt

Sept. 1 (almost) 2011

On August 28th, 2010, Sherry and I took a ride up the newly graded road from Mantua to Inspiration Point.  It was a very nice Fall ride with very few folks coming and going.  The road was smoother than I have ever been on going up there and back.  Very nice indeed.

The next day, August 29th, I recorded on my calendar we had a dusting of snow on the peaks!  Today, August 30, 2011 the expected high is going to be near 90!  What a difference a year makes.

Bears Butt

Aug. 2011

http://static.stateparks.utah.gov/docs/BoatingHighlights.pdf

This link takes you to the rule book for boating on Utahs’ waters.  Did you know that if your boat has a motor 50 hp or larger that you must have insurance?

Bears Butt

Aug. 2011

The WebMD website has the following “what not to feed your dog” tips.  Some of the foods I normally feed my dog, like a good steak bone, are likely not good for the dog.  You will read about it when that tip comes up, but it is the fat and the slivering of the bone that could kill your dog.  Another one  was grapes and raisins!  NEVER feed your dog those things…it WILL kill your dog!  Avocados is another no-no.  Read on…these are from the WebMD web site:

Avocado

No matter how good you think the guacamole is, you shouldn’t give it to your dog. Avocados contain a substance called persin. It’s harmless for humans who aren’t allergic. But large amounts can be toxic to dogs. If you happen to be growing avocados at home, keep your dog away from the plants. Persin is in the leaves, seed, and bark, as well as in the fruit.

Alcohol

Beer, liquor, wine, foods containing alcohol – none of it’s good for your dog. That’s because alcohol has the same effect on a dog’s liver and brain that it has on humans. But it takes far less to do its damage. Just a little can cause vomiting, diarrhea, central nervous system depression, problems with coordination, difficulty breathing, coma, even death. And the smaller the dog, the greater the effect.

Onions and Garlic

Onions and garlic in all forms — powdered, raw, cooked, or dehydrated — can destroy a dog’s red blood cells, leading to anemia. That can happen even with the onion powder found in some baby food. An occasional small dose is probably OK. But just eating a large quantity once or eating smaller amounts regularly can cause poisoning. Symptoms of anemia include weakness, vomiting, little interest in food, dullness, and breathlessness.

Coffee, Tea, and Other Caffeine

Caffeine in large enough quantities can be fatal for a dog. And, there is no antidote. Symptoms of caffeine poisoning include restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, muscle tremors, fits, and bleeding. In addition to tea and coffee – including beans and grounds – caffeine can be found in cocoa, chocolate, colas, and stimulant drinks such as Red Bull. It’s also in some cold medicines and pain killers.

Grapes and Raisins

Grapes and raisins have often been used as treats for dogs. But it’s not a good idea. Although it isn’t clear why, grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs. And just a small amount can make a dog ill. Repeated vomiting is an early sign. Within a day, the dog will become lethargic and depressed. The best prevention is to keep grapes and raisins off counters and other places your dog can reach.

Milk and Other Dairy Products

On a hot day, it may be tempting to share your ice cream cone with your dog. But if your dog could, it would thank you for not doing so. Milk and milk-based products can cause diarrhea and other digestive upset as well as set up food allergies (which often manifest as itchiness).

Macadamia Nuts

Dogs should not eat macadamia nuts or foods containing macadamia nuts because they can be fatal. As few as 6 raw or roasted macadamia nuts can make a dog ill. Symptoms of poisoning include muscle tremors, weakness or paralysis of the hindquarters, vomiting, elevated body temperature, and rapid heart rate. Eating chocolate with the nuts will make symptoms worse, possibly leading to death.

Candy and Gum

Candy, gum, toothpaste, baked goods, and some diet foods are sweetened with xylitol. Xylitol can cause an increase in the insulin circulating through your dog’s body. That can cause your dog’s blood sugar to drop and can also cause liver failure. Initial symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, and loss of coordination. Eventually, the dog may have seizures. Liver failure can occur within just a few days.

Chocolate

Most people know that chocolate is bad for dogs. The toxic agent in chocolate is theobromine. It’s in all kinds of chocolate, even white chocolate. The most dangerous kinds, though, are dark chocolate, chocolate mulch, and unsweetened baking chocolate. Eating chocolate, even just licking the icing bowl, can cause a dog to vomit, have diarrhea, and be excessively thirsty. It can also cause abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures, and death.

Fat Trimmings and Bones

Table scraps often contain meat fat that a human didn’t eat and bones. Both are dangerous for dogs. Fat trimmed from meat, both cooked and uncooked, can cause pancreatitis in dogs. And, although it seems natural to give a dog a bone, a dog can choke on it. Bones can also splinter and cause an obstruction or lacerations of your dog’s digestive system. It’s best to just forget about the doggie bag.

Persimmons, Peaches, and Plums

The problem with these fruits is the seeds or pits. The seeds from persimmons can cause inflammation of the small intestine in dogs. They can also cause intestinal obstruction. Obstruction is also a possibility if a dog eats the pit from a peach or plum. Plus, peach and plum pits contain cyanide, which is poisonous to both humans and dogs. The difference is humans know not to eat them. Dogs don’t.

Raw Eggs

There are two problems with giving your dog raw eggs. The first is the possibility of food poisoning from bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli. The second is that an enzyme in raw eggs interferes with the absorption of a particular B vitamin. This can cause skin problems as well as problems with your dog’s coat if raw eggs are fed for a long time.

Raw Meat and Fish

Raw meat and raw fish, like raw eggs, can contain bacteria that causes food poisoning. In addition, certain kinds of fish such as salmon, trout, shad, or sturgeon can contain a parasite that causes “fish disease.” If not treated, the disease can be fatal within 2 weeks. The first signs of illness are vomiting, fever, and big lymph nodes. Thoroughly cooking the fish will kill the parasite and protect your dog.

Salt

It’s not a good idea to share salty foods like chips or pretzels with your dog. Eating too much salt can cause excessive thirst and urination and lead to sodium ion poisoning. Symptoms of too much salt include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, elevated body temperature, and seizures. It may even cause death.

Sugary Foods and Drinks

Too much sugar can do the same thing to dogs that it does to humans. It can lead to obesity, dental problems, and even diabetes.

Yeast Dough

Before it’s baked, bread dough needs to rise. And, that’s exactly what it would do in your dog’s stomach if your dog ate it. As it swells inside, the dough can stretch the dog’s abdomen and cause severe pain. In addition, when the yeast ferments the dough to make it rise, it produces alcohol that can lead to alcohol poisoning.

Your Medicine

Reaction to a drug commonly prescribed for humans is the most common cause of poisoning in dogs. Just as you would do for your children, keep all medicines out of your dog’s reach. And, never give your dog any over-the-counter medicine unless told to do so by your vet. Ingredients such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen are common in pain relievers and cold medicine. And, they can be deadly for your dog.

Kitchen Pantry: No Dogs Allowed

Many other items commonly found on kitchen shelves can harm your dog. For instance, baking powder and baking soda are both highly toxic. So are nutmeg and other spices. Keeping food items high enough to be out of your dog’s reach and keeping pantry doors closed will help protect your dog from serious food-related illness.

If Your Dog Eats What It Shouldn’t

Dogs explore with their mouth. And, no matter how cautious you are, it’s possible your dog can find and swallow what it shouldn’t. It’s a smart idea to always keep the number of your local vet, the closest emergency clinic, and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center – (888) 426-4435 – where you know you can find it in an emergency. And, if you think your dog has consumed something that’s toxic, call for emergency help at once.

Bears Butt

Aug. 2011

I found a funny site that I must share with you!  Just type into your search engine what I have named the title of this posting.  You will see this guy, Uncle Jay, has put together some really funny stuff as he tries to explain to you and I what happened in last weeks news.

Bears Butt

Aug. 2011

I have a couple of ways to track general viewer information on bearsbutt.com.  One way has all kinds of stats and graphs and stuff that doesn’t make a lot of sense to me.  I’m sure if I studied it I could figure it all out, but for now it is just stuff.

The other way only has a few things that are being tracked and it makes a whole lot more sense to me.

One very interesting thing is that 62% of you reading my postings are women!  The other part of the 100% are men (34%).  Since most of what I post is non-sense stuff like Sir Butt and the rest is usually related to hunting or muzzleloading/mountain man stuff, I have to ask….Ladies, what would you like to be reading on this site?

Bears Butt

Aug 2011

People have asked me in the past, “Why are you so positive all the time?”  or “Why do you seem so happy all the time?”  Or they will say, “You are always ‘up’ with your attitude.”  My usual response to these questions or statements is usually, “I don’t know.”

But perhaps I do know.  I was just thinking about this and it dawned on me that although my life is not always a bed of roses and that debt doesn’t surround me, but that life lives!  We each have our life and we each need to live it and live it to the fullest.  I have always told my kids and others who want (or don’t want) to listen, “You can do anything you want, when you want to do it!”  And I firmly believe that.  You CAN do anything you put your mind in to doing.  It’s not always easy, but if you really truely WANT whatever it is, then you can get it, or have it or achieve it.  And the older I get the more I realize, that, YA it might take longer than when I was younger, but I can still get there.

Last Fall I invited myself to go on a pretty long hike with my youngest son.  The hike is in Perry canyon and a man (who I have not met) made this trail, all by himself.  I picture an older man, maybe even older than me, with a shovel, pick, chainsaw and a jug of water, chunking away at the ground creating this wonderful trail.  It starts our pretty level and as it goes it gets steeper and winds its way up and up and up the hillside.  In fact this particular trail is nine miles long!  And goes to the top of Grizzly Peak!

It’s obvious that this man had a dream to create a very nice walking, bikeing path up the side of the canyon and to the top of that hill, where the view is magnificent!  Did he let something come between that dream and reality?  Not in the least!  And he did it all by himself!  Not only did he create that trail, he made another on the other side of the canyon and it too goes on and on and on.  Where to, I don’t know, but he did it and it goes somewhere that he wanted it to go.

Well on this particular hike that I invited myself on, I made it to mile marker 6.  Then I told my son, that was enough for me.  I told him, I know I can make it to the top, but I’m afraid I might not make it back down.  My shoes aren’t the best.  My health is not the best, but I made it to mile marker 6 and that wasn’t a cake walk.  He went on to the top, as I started my decent.

As I picked my way back down the trail, what to my amazement did I see coming up the trail towards me?  A man, about 40 or so, riding up that steep trail on a mountain bike!  I stepped to the side, greeted him and he greeted me back, and thanked me for allowing him to proceed so he did not have to stop pumping that bike up the trail!  Another man, showing himself that “he can do it”!  Later that same biker, passed me going down the hill.  My son did not see him, so he must have turned around somewhere between where I saw him first and the top.  I guess he too turned around at mile marker 6.

My son, caught up with me about where I would guess mile marker 3 would be if it were there and the two of us continued down to the vehicle.  He had literally ran up the last 3 miles to the top, and then ran back down to catch up with me.  Silly guy.

Do yourself a favor and go for a hike up that trail.  Take a snack and lots of water!

So there you have a story about 4 people who did what they wanted to do when they wanted to do it.  Me, 12 of 18 miles was plenty.  My son, who needed some alone time to think and because of me only got 9 of 18 miles of it.  The biker guy who I’m guessing only wanted to do 12 miles and did it.  And the man who made the trail in the first place.

And so, you have to keep a positive attitude about everything.  My father had had his first heart problem and was laying in intensive care with a “new at the time” artificial valve working to keep him alive.  We were all sitting in the waiting room thinking we had the worst thing in the whole world to deal with.  All of us feeling sorry for ourselves and for mom and dad and the world looked like doom and gloom.  About 2 a.m. in came a young family, a mom and a couple of kids I’d say 4 and 6 years old.  They were all scraped up and had some dirt in their hair.  They had been travelling and the dad fell asleep at the wheel and they rolled the car.  He was not expected to live.  The rest of them got out with barely any scrapes, no broken bones and only the wait to find out the fate of the dad.

After that day, my entire attitude changed to a positive one.  Sure we all have our times when we have a bad day, but once in awhile is not an every day thing.

So, the next time you think you have the worst of the worst looking down on you, open your eyes and look at the guy next to you.  I’ll bet he has it a lot worse than you.

Bears Butt

2011

Well, well well.  There was a smallish article in the Ogden Standard Examiner a few weeks ago asking people with facial hair to submit a photo of themselves.  So, being the unselfish person I am, I sent them in a picture.  Today part of the picture showed up in the paper….The famous people just keep on getting more famous…..

Yesterday, however I was just cruising around on the internet and looked up the standards website.  You never know what interesting things you might find on there and here was what I found.  Copy and paste it and you will see what I saw.

http://www.standard.net/slideshows/2011/08/12/reader-submitted-photos-facial-hair

Bears Butt