Telling Stories at the Writers' Circle

Last night at Brodie Library a few members of the Writers' Circle met for a Chirstmas get-to-gether and we began to tell wild animal tales, which I believe is a uniquely northern pastime.

Bear stories, moose encounters , a weasel tale--anecdote followed anecdote. There was the weasel done in by the household cat after a wild battle which left a permanent v shaped notch in the cat's ear, the bear who dragged the barrel of sunflower seeds away from the house before eating them in the bush, the determined bear that crushed cans of peas and peaches with its paws and bit into them emptying the contents, the wolf who trotted down Bay Steet and the country dog that got skunk-sprayed, the incident seen by everyone inside the camp during a flash of lightening. The weasel in the cook tent was tolerated by the cook because it kept down the mice. Mama bear sent her cub into the shed to bring out the bags of garbage stored for pick-up day. Everyone in the north has a selection of animal stories.

Keith Johnson had brought along some old comic poems, including The Face on the Bar Room Floor, a poem I had heard of but never heard. Goodies and coffee ended the evening.

The Writers Circle usually meets at Waverley Library once a month on a Wednesday. All welcome.