FOUNTAIN HILLS, Arizona – "What's the genus and species name for black bears?" I blurt, slamming laptop keys on deadline. No, beyond, to be honest. Waaaaay beyond – like in a Douglas Adams sense: "I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by."
Ellen (mom) springs into action, ever the acute-minded hospital director who makes me so proud. "Hang on!" She sprints into the garage, stokes up her PC and searches. "Ursus arctos!*"
We are reduced to Internet relays now, when I visit, since my parents disconnected the wi-fi. Still, I manage to file the last of the 17,323 words for Frommer's new B.C. hiking guide. Surely this one epic Vancouver Island chapter rivals my annual output...
Now just for the corrections. And maps. And GPS coordinates.
Sigh.
*In fact, we goofed. Black bears are Ursus americanus,"arctos" are the massive Kodiak-style browns. Doh. So much for hive mind and cooperative webbing...
I think you need a resident bear on staff.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on finishing a Frommer's project of ursine proportions! (We're all very proud of you).
Who doesn't need bears? Actually, I'd take an editorial assistant of any genus at this point...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the props!