Friends! Romans! Country Bears!

I am sure — or at least I certainly hope —  that you are somewhere in your home or someplace similar, socially isolating yourself as your respective state or nation or city makes the difficult but necessary choices to help flatten the proverbial infection curve of the COVID-19 virus. It's a weird and uncomfortable time for many of us — and it's only been a few days of social isolation, what will we do after a few weeks or months of this? I ask you. What then? — but it's important you know that in the past almost YEAR since our last edition, the bears have been up to no good, as they always often are. But, as some of the bears exit hibernation earlier than ever before, thanks in part to climate change, we remind ourselves that we, much like the bears, are a part of the hibernation nation [cue Janet Jackson]. And, much like the inhabitants of Plato's allegorical cave, we must imagine our future together, with the bears, on the other side of this international pandemic. Practice self care. Maintain appropriate social distance. Rediscover parts of your home that you weren't all that familiar with. Try a new recipe. Take a deep breath. Read about the bears. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. And now, as always, TO THE BEARS.

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This Friend Is a Boss
Bears Are Friends, Not Beasts
There Are Many Different Kinds of Neighbors
Many. Different. Neighbors.
North Carolina,,,Thank You
There Are Many Different Kinds of Bears
This Happened A While Ago, But It Is Still Sad
Be A Good Neighbor
Hydration Is Important, Please Do Not Forget To Drink Water
We Can't All Be Tourists, Apparently
This Seems...Bad
Congrats to Darth, This Is Important To Him And All Of Us
Open A Window In Your Home, But Watch Out For Bears
I Can Settle This Debate — Don't Kill Bears!
I Guess This Counts As Bear News
Don't. Kill. Bears.
(Unless You're The President's Son, I Guess?)
Sorry To This Bear
We Stan A Sloth Queen
Technically, These Are Bears And They Are INDESTRUCTIBLE 
Happy Birthday To This Bear
We Missed 2019's Fat Bear Week, WE KNOW
WE KNOW WE KNOW WE KNOW
WE KNOW (Congrats To Holly)
Holly, Area Size Queen, Is A Winner
Only Seems Fair
This Is How You Be A Good Neighbor! This, Right Here
This, However, Is Not How To Be A Good Neighbor 
This, However, Is Unsettling 
You Love To See A Bear With A Discerning Taste Palate 
Careless Whisper, But To A Bear
This Is Culture. You're Welcome.
Are Bears Bumping Into Cities, Or Are Cities Bumping Into Bears? Makes You Think
Did The Bear Break In? Sources Say...
Bear Butts Win All Contests
Rare? I Thought You Said 'Bear'
Oh, You Did Say Bear. I Still Heard 'Rare'
This Japanese Prefecture Mascot Is Free To Use To Promote the Region
This Park May Not Have Fat Bears, But It IS Home To A Giant Bear-Shaped Sand Dune
Just A Bear Neighbor, Being Neighborly 
Literally All Of My Saved Koala Links Were Sad, I Cannot Even
Like, All Of Them
A Different Governor Romney Raised Taxes On Bear Hunters
Honestly, Same
Apparently, Being Physical Proximate To Humans Helps Bears Parent Better

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Hibernation Nation | Gens hiberna latebra — I don't know all of you, I don't know most of you, but some of you are strangers to me, and that's okay! I am not a medical expert of any standing whatsoever, so I will not tell you anything that others have not already told you out there in the great wide world of the internet, which for most of us right now is the main source of information and social gathering. But, I will say, that as we all join the hibernation nation (it snowed here in Boston this morning, which makes things like 'not going outside' all the more desirable, tbqh), let us practice healthy eating habits and cleanliness and all of that good stuff.

food: Even in isolation, make sure you eat well! Try baking something new (these cheddar biscuits are delicious and easy, I made several dozen last night), make sure you get some vegetables and produce in your life and also take the time to eat some cherished personal comfort food in an uncomfortable time. For me, that will be peanut butter honey toast. Not often, and not every day, but on the off chance, as a treat.

habitat: This one's easy — your home! Your apartment! Your condo! Wherever you're sheltering in place! Stay put! Hibernation nation is everywhere and anywhere you want it to be, provided you don't move! 

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I Blogged About Cooking With Carmen, Because It's 2003.
I Also Am Working On A New Podcast About Work
This Horse Is Blowing Bubbles, Because It Is
Not All Heroes Wear Capes
Here Are Some Positive Things You Can Do, Every Day
Here Are Some Things You Can Read!