Word Of The Day

In Canada, crocodiles can be frightening things. All teeth and claws. And we don't have them in our backyards like, say, Australia. I would guess Australians think of crocodiles like we think of bears, which we can have trolling in our backyards, depending on the region. Because we share the same space, we learn each other's behaviours, know the safe distance, and not intentionally provoke them. Because again, teeth and claws.

A few years ago I went with my wife and brother to a family reunion in British Columbia. Arriving at the chalet parking lot, we discovered a couple of black bears snooping around. We stayed in the car until after they left, knowing that sooner or later, they'd find a large cigarette butt or two and leave with the goods to smoke behind the school.