Different world

My aunt Sonnie lives in the mountains of Colorado, having spent the last ten years building a house with her partner Bill. Living in the mountains means I get emails like this on occasion:

hi kitt, tried to call. you must be out celebrating
your birthday. so, happy birthday. not much new here
in the mtns surrounding rye. did see a bear. came
into the garden, but then decided not to stay. i am
now wearing a whistle around my neck. it's very
shrill, so hope when i blow it, it will scare the
critter (if i see him/her again). love you much, a. sonn

Yeah. Bear in the garden. Happens all the time.