Whatever crosses my mind that interests me and I hope interests others
Monday, February 15, 2021
Uncle Walter Goes Waltzing with Bears
In keeping with my last two posts and at the suggestion of my friend and colleague Blair, here for your listening pleasure is Uncle Walter Goes Waltzing with Bears. I think the song is about my friend Ed, though he only goes running with bears.
I loved that. But more on wild life and humans: I always though it was crazy in Alaska allowing people to killing wolves to protect the moose, so people could kill the moose. But, now here in Maine they are considering killing winter moose to cut down on the tick population in the summer. Doesn't make Uncle Walter sound quite so crazy. the Ol'Buzzard
We are always wanting to kill animals to balance the killing of other animals. The wolves were blamed for the thinning of caribou numbers until someone tallied how many caribou it took to keep a dog team fed in a year. They want to kill grizzlies in Yellowstone Grand Tetons because of the elk hunts. Uncle Walter is saner than most.
You know, in the LGBTQ+ community, "Bears" is slang for big, burly, usually bearded, gay men. I bet in San Francisco there's a disco version of this song!
This is the third time I am trying to reply to your comment. The other two replies got eaten by the ethernet. I have read most of Mowat's books but for some reason not the two you mention. I will have to correct that.
I was singing along at the top of my voice, did you hear me? I wonder how the bears learned to waltz, perhaps Uncle Walter taught them the steps. I wish I had an Uncle Walter.
I have it stuck in my head too. My dad had an Uncle Joe. I have heard only a few stories about him. Someone should have written a book. I met him once when I was three years old. He has been gone almost 70 years now and most of those who knew him are long gone as well.
Comments are encouraged. But if you include a commercial link, it will be deleted. If you comment anonymously, please use a name or something to identify yourself. Trolls will be deleted
Love it. And, from a spot on the ignorant and naive podium, I do envy Uncle Walter.
ReplyDeleteThe Uncle Walters of this world do have more fun
DeleteI loved that. But more on wild life and humans:
ReplyDeleteI always though it was crazy in Alaska allowing people to killing wolves to protect the moose, so people could kill the moose.
But, now here in Maine they are considering killing winter moose to cut down on the tick population in the summer.
Doesn't make Uncle Walter sound quite so crazy.
the Ol'Buzzard
We are always wanting to kill animals to balance the killing of other animals. The wolves were blamed for the thinning of caribou numbers until someone tallied how many caribou it took to keep a dog team fed in a year. They want to kill grizzlies in Yellowstone Grand Tetons because of the elk hunts.
DeleteUncle Walter is saner than most.
You know, in the LGBTQ+ community, "Bears" is slang for big, burly, usually bearded, gay men. I bet in San Francisco there's a disco version of this song!
ReplyDeleteDebra, that made me smile. I wonder what a disco version would sound like
DeleteFarley Mowat wrote Never Cry Wolf about the killing of caribou blamed on wolves. A great book. I love all his books - there is arctic in my soul.
ReplyDeleteAnother stupid thing: the U.S. government banned Mowat from entering the U.S. because of his book The Siberians.
the Ol'Buzzard.
This is the third time I am trying to reply to your comment. The other two replies got eaten by the ethernet. I have read most of Mowat's books but for some reason not the two you mention. I will have to correct that.
Deleteuncle walter is the dude
ReplyDeleteYup.
DeleteI was singing along at the top of my voice, did you hear me?
ReplyDeleteI wonder how the bears learned to waltz, perhaps Uncle Walter taught them the steps. I wish I had an Uncle Walter.
I have it stuck in my head too.
DeleteMy dad had an Uncle Joe. I have heard only a few stories about him. Someone should have written a book. I met him once when I was three years old. He has been gone almost 70 years now and most of those who knew him are long gone as well.
What fun! I'd never heard the song before, and now I'm wondering exactly how it came about. I'm sure there's a story... :-)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a kids song. Some give credit to Dr Seuss. Sounds plausible.
Delete