F Minus by Tony Carrillo for August 04, 2022

Strange. If there are mountain lions (pumas) then there are also going to be bobcats, bears, and such.

that’s the spirit – now .. did you bring the ketchup ?

…never mind the mountain lions…

… better watch for cougars, young man…

Just remember to explain to them how you are not organic and definitely not locally sourced.

Sometimes it helps to have almost anything to take your mind off of your own problems and worries.

You should be so lucky. I’ve spent a lot of time in wilderness around mountain lions, hoping to see some. But all I’ve seen of them were their tracks in my boot tracks where they followed me. Very clever about not being seen, but as cats, curious. I always slept out and never worried. And here, near urban areas, they pass through regularly, but the only sign I’ve had was hearing them when they’d get surprised by a dog and scream. One of them settled across the road from me long enough to eat five goats, and never a sign.

I once saw someone say “Mountain lions are ambush predators. If you can see one, that means it has already decided not to eat you.”

I used to work security at the Denver Zoo, and when I was closing up at the end of the day, I had to walk past the enclosure with our male mountain lion. He was always up on his perch in the shade and all you could was the eerie glow of his eyes. All you could hear was low rumbling. And all I could feel were the hairs on the back of my neck standing up! Now I know what it feels like to be hunted.

There will be peace in the valley for me

Well the bear will be gentle

And the wolves will be tame

And the lion shall lay down

By the lamb, oh yes