♫Some folks say there ain't bears in Tennessee♫
♫Some folks never seen a bear at all...♫

♫Some folks say that bears go 'round smellin' bad♫
♫Others say that a bear is honey sweet...♫

♫Some folks drive the bears out of the wilderness♫
♫Some to see a bear would pay a fee♫
♫Me, I just bear up to my bewildered best♫
♫Some folks even see the bear in me!♫

♫So meet a bear and take him on out to lunch with you♫
♫Even though your friends may stop and stare♫
♫Just remember that's a bear there in the bunch with you♫
♫And it just don't come no better than a bear!♫

Did you miss me?  I've been on bay-kay-shun again.  The bosses say this was a "real" bay-kay-shun.  That means I got to sleep on somebody else's couch.  Little Bit insists that she was on "VAY-kay-shun" but I think that's because she grew up in Virginia. 

This was a really good bay-kay-shun.  Lots of adventures.  We went to the Smoky Mountains.  Named for a famous bear.  Before I even got to my new couch, the boss ma'am says, "Okay, Lyle, keep your eyes peeled.  This is BearWatch 2005."  I say, "Ye-OW!  How's about I don't peel my eyes.  I'll try to keep them open though."

Well, I didn't have to keep them open for long.  Right there, right then, I spot them.  Actually, they did not have spots (but I do, a few, on my tummy).  AnyLoo, there they were.  A whole flock of them. 

Little Bit says, "Luh-eye-luh, those are COWS."  I say, "Nuh-uh, mule dog.  Them are mooing bears.  Can't you hear them?"  I don't know what she said after that, something about "are we there yet?" or "boy, that Lyle is smart" or something.  I wasn't really listening.  Me and the boss ma'am were busy taking pictures.

I guess the boss ma'am wanted to see more than just the mooing bears because she said she found a different kind while I was napping.  I know what you're thinking.  They look like mooing bears to me too.  But I'll let the bosses believe what they want.  So long as I get my mooing bear burger.

♫I've got the bear necessities♫
♫The simple bear necessities!♫
♫That's why a Lyle can rest at ease♫
♫With just the bear necessities of life!♫