Tuesday, 30 April 2013

Z as in ZED THE LOT (A-Z Challenge)

And so we've concluded the A-Z Blog Challenge; we've written the posts, and added the comments. We've more or less done everything; we've said the lot. (Remember, in proper English, it's "zed," not "zee"; that way, we can recall the final letter in the New Phonetic Alphabet.)

It has been delightful to met you at your places, and share your wisdom and witticisms. The whole challenge of posting this regularly — daily — has been a . . . challenge. And not just for me!

So, what comes next? We each have to sort that out for ourselves. And we have "tons of options." So to speak. I hope I'll see and hear more from you.

Bear will continue to post, but probably not daily. I already have some ideas I want to share; one will be up tomorrow or the next day. And I'll visit you, gentle readers, as often as I can.

Z is also for Zeus, zephyr, zealous, Zoroaster, and Zulu.

Blessings and Bear hugs, everyone!



Addenda (how could we possibly conclude without one more addendum, or two?)

1. It snowed yesterday, and overnight. The snow that had disappeared last week has been . . . replaced. However, in an attempt to be creative (despite a depressive soul), I'm considering this a "Spring Storm." Right! 

2. I'll give the final words to singer Frank Sinatra, for whom Canadian singer-songwriter Paul Anka wrote these words.

Take it away, Frank! (Sorry if there's a commercial)

47 comments:

  1. Congrats on concluding your alphabetical postings, Rob. I'm impressed with you and others who have stuck to the schedule. After hearing that you have still more snow, I half-expected you to re-ZZZZZZZ.

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    1. Thanks for your kind note, Hilary. It was an interesting experience, and a learning experience. I'm glad I did it. And I have appreciated all the thoughts and encouragement from friends!

      And for the record, it's too late for me to go back into hibernation. Fortunately, I have a good fur coat, so I'll be able to manage the cold weather.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!
      Bears Noting
      Life in the Urban Forest (poetry)

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  2. Hey...High Five Bear
    We did it again. Another fun April with bloggie friends.

    We have spring to look forward to if ever that dang snow would stop falling, huh?
    Take a nap.... I'm going to and I'm not even a Bear. See ya later.

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    1. Hi five to you, too, Manzi. We certainly did it!

      You still getting snow up your way? I wouldn't be surprised.

      I know where you live (in the blogsphere); I'll be back! First, I need to sleep a bit.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!
      Bears Noting
      Life in the Urban Forest (poetry)

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  3. I didn't do A-Z this year, saving myself for Story A Day in May, but I've hopped with it, and I'm so glad to have met you, Bear! I look forward to your further posts.

    Marian Allen
    Fantasies, mysteries, comedies, recipes

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    1. Unlike the Hotel California, you can check in any time you like, and you can always leave. I hope May is a good writing month. I'll catch up with you in due course.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!
      Bears Noting
      Life in the Urban Forest (poetry)

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  4. I too have enjoyed the A-Z Challenge Rob! I plan to enjoy a short vacation away from the computer-hahaha!

    I've enjoyed meeting you and visiting your blog!! I hope to come back and do a detailed trek of everyone's blog; it might be a slow process but I hope to get there; so look for me and I'm sure we will meet again in circles! God bless you and enjoy the moments!!

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    1. It was good to meet you through the A-Z Challenge. I'll be around and about, so if you want to visit, come by either place.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!
      Bears Noting
      Life in the Urban Forest (poetry)

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  5. A huge WHEW!! from the Woondogger. April felt like forever.

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    1. But you did it and thrived! Next month, more of the same great blogging, just not so much.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!
      Bears Noting
      Life in the Urban Forest (poetry)

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  6. Bear, I'm sure you sense this has been one of my favorite spots to settle throughout the challenge.Thanks for the space in your den. Congratulations on completion of the task at hand and others. Your Zen comment was interesting to me and I would love to hear more about it if you feel so inclined.Please keep in touch if you are able. As I've said in the past the smart-aleck bears are the most fun.

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  7. Congratulations my dear Bear friend. I enjoyed your journey through the alphabet. Sorry about the snow! But you are keeping a good attitude about it.

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  8. Congrats on finishing the A to Z! I'm happy to have met you. :)

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  9. I always wondered why you are Bear rather than Crow, or Ant, or Hurricane. I am Snowbrush because I think they're beautiful and because they only come forth when exposed to fire, and they can wait an awfully long time for a fire, all the time there in the ground, holding their beauty within as they wait patiently for the stimulus that they need for it to come forth.

    I am very glad that you are visiting my blog again. I have missed you, and, of course, have often been reminded of you by seeing your comments on Fodder's blog, among others.

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    1. OK, I'll try this again. Grrrr!

      My name. Well, as they say, it's complicated.

      You start with the fact that Canada is officially bilingual. Everything in English AND French at the national level. Varying degrees of that at the provincial (state) level. So lots of us know both English and French.

      And when you take my English name, and pronounce it in French, it sounds somewhat like Rob-bear. And because I've loved Winnie since I was very small, I am naturally attracted to Bears. Particularly Brown Bears, which we have in the west. And that connects to my name too.

      I think I mentioned it was complicated. Anyhow, there you have it.

      I'm glad to be reading your blog again, though this are a bit challenging right now for you and Peggy.

      Peace and joy!
      Bears Noting
      Life in the Urban Forest (poetry)

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  10. Personally I think that writing every day is too much for me. I think you ought to commit to one or two days a week - just enough to get your feet wet and not feel overwhelmed. But you do what you need to do. I understand. sandie

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    1. No idea of what I'm going to do, Sandie. I intend to keep writing, but not every day. Beyond that, who knows?

      Blessings and Bear hugs!
      Bears Noting
      Life in the Urban Forest (poetry)

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  11. It has been such a pleasure reading your posts during the A-Z. I look forward to reading more from here on out. So glad I found you!

    Kathy
    http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot.com

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    1. It's been fun reading your posts, too. And once the Bear knows where you live, it can be difficult getting rid of him. But you already know that, I think. (Just sayin')

      So, keep giggling!

      Blessings and Bear hugs!
      Bears Noting
      Life in the Urban Forest (poetry)

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  12. Well done! I always knew you were most certainly NOT a bear of very little brain :)

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    1. OK; you got me. I am NOT a Bear of Very Little Bain, and long words do not bother me at all. I fact I use them frequently. To quote Edith Ann, "And that's the truth!"

      Great reconnecting with you, Joanne. I was quite worried that some major misadventure had befallen you. I'm relieved to know that is not quite the case.

      And your dog, whose name I cannot remember, but whose image sprawled out the table I do remember. With you or your parents?

      Blessings and Bear hugs!
      Bears Noting
      Life in the Urban Forest (poetry)

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  13. A bit of Frank to end the evening is always nice. Thanks for that! :)

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    1. Thanks for your note. I kept forgetting to how to get to your new blog, so I missed out on your contributions this month. I'll try to do better next month.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!
      Bears Noting
      Life in the Urban Forest (poetry)

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  14. Congratulations on finishing the challenge in your usual fine form. Yes, that snow was just a slight hitch in the spring weather.

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    1. Thank you susan; it was fun. Most of the snow has melted today, even though it was a cold day. Fluffy clouds and a nice red sky out my study window.

      See you later.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!
      Bears Noting
      Life in the Urban Forest (poetry)

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  15. Look at all these comments! Fun's been had!

    I had my yard cleaned up for spring today. My spirit soared seeing those hostas breaking through the ground. I hope your snow is short lived and no more.

    And a story a day in may? I like that. I may like to do that.

    I have not seen snow (brush) here before. We are a small community in many ways. I like that too.

    Have fun, bear :-)

    Love
    kj

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    1. Thanks, kj. Yes, it has been fun. Busy Bear, that's for sure. Snow is gone today — about as fast as it came. And if you're writing each day in May, I hope to come along and enjoy the show.

      BTW, which yard were you cleaning — old one or new one?

      Blessings and Bear hugs!
      Bears Noting
      Life in the Urban Forest (poetry)

      I was thinking late last night and into the early morning hours. What does emily jj rabbit think of your new place? I'm certain that you consulted her when she made a flying trip home (so to speak) — long enough of visit you, but not long enough to have the police catch her.

      And tonight is the night for more pictures on Blogland Lane

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  16. I've really enjoyed your posts. Congrats on finishing the challenge!

    #atozchallenge, Kristen's blog: kristenhead.blogspot.com

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    1. And congrats to you too, Kristen, for completing the challenge, and for your thoughtful blog.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!
      Bears Noting
      Life in the Urban Forest (poetry)

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  17. I so enjoyed reading your posts this month, Rob-Bear. Your kind heart showed through many of them. Congratulations on finishing this challenge.

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  18. I cannot believe you have had more snow, Bear.
    Enough, already. Bear needs to venture out and about...so, snow: be gone from his area.
    Great job on the A-Z postings, my friend.
    I'm proud of you!!
    Hugs,
    J.

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  19. Oh dear, I have been in hibernation and missed the posts, time for some catching up!! Well done on managing to post every day...now that is a challenge

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  20. I had a lot of fun during this challenge. I met some great people and visited some great blogs.

    Dark Thoughts Blog

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  21. Well, I guess you deserve a Bear Breather, but I hope it won't last too long.
    Wonderful song and the best way to live, I'd say!

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  22. Just found you today--now that the challenge is over, but am following you. I look forward to reading more from you!

    Z is also for zonked, which is what I am after this month of daily blogging! I do like to write when I am not so dadgum busy with other stuff. I'll drop in now and then and try to catch up.

    Take care!
    tm

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    1. Thanks for coming to visit.

      Z is for Zonked, all right. I have several ideas for posts, but I'm not doing anything today except "clean up" after the Challenge.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!
      Bears Noting
      Life in the Urban Forest (poetry)

      Delete
  23. I so enjoyed this past month, thanks to the A-Z Challenge and getting to know you so much better. I also wanted to add a "Z" word I recently discovered: zeaxanthin, a vitamin I'm supposed to be taking for my eyes! :-)

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    1. I'm glad you kept coming along DJan. Zeaxanthin. Right, got that. I hope it doesn't make you zee-sick. (Bad Bar! Go sit in the corner!)

      Blessings and Bear hugs!
      Bears Noting
      Life in the Urban Forest (poetry)

      Delete
  24. Is the challenge really over? Crazy. Yup, I'm looking at the calendar right now, and it's May 1. I enjoyed your posts and hope to see you around. :)

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    1. As the old song goes, "The party's over, . . ." I've enjoyed what you've done. I'm sure we'll see each other.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!
      Bears Noting
      Life in the Urban Forest (poetry)

      Delete
  25. We will call the spring snow storm Zeddy and since there are no more letters, this has to be the last snow of the season.

    Sigh. I hope it melts quickly.

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    1. Sure, a good thought. Did you run it past Evil Twin?

      Blessings and Bear hugs!
      Bears Noting
      Life in the Urban Forest (poetry)

      Delete
  26. I came to your blog via another and what a pleasure it is! Love the whole bear thing: humour and insight.

    Pauleen at Tropical Territory
    A to Z 2013

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    1. Glad you discovered the Bear's hideout, Pauleen. Thanks, also, for leaving a message.

      I may be a little crazy, but I'm definitely not squirrelly. As you'll discover if you visit here much.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!
      Bears Noting
      Life in the Urban Forest (poetry)

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  27. I always forget that Paul Anka is Canadian. He's always been one of my favorites! Thanks, Bear for a great challenge. We will be seeing (or hearing from) each other again!

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    1. Actually, I think Paul is a "naturalized" American now. But he still has his Canadian roots.

      Great to see you again!

      Blessings and Bear hugs!
      Bears Noting
      Life in the Urban Forest (poetry)

      Delete

So glad you've dropped by the Bear's den. Please leave a note -- getting notes is such fun, and often informative. I'll get back to you, here or by e-mail, as soon as I can (or, if it's winter, after I wake up). 'Til then, please Bear with me.
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