Kate, you're probably thinking of the Tasmanian tiger, which was the size of a large dog. They're considered to be extinct, though there have been some reported "sightings" which are unproven. Check out the link below it will give you some info, and a short Quicktime movie of the last Tas Tiger known to be in existence. The tasmanian devil (not quite as depicted in the looney-tunes cartoons) is much smaller, has a ferocious bite and even more ferocious growl. It's bite can crunch through bone with ease. I reality the Devil is quite a cute, shy little critter and is usually active only at night. Devils are currently under threat from a cancerous disease that manifests itself as a facial tumour,resulting in death of the animal. In an attempt to save the animal from extinction, a healthy disease free population is in the process of being established offshore on an isolated island, as there is no known cure or cause for the disease as yet. Check out this link by cutting & pasting into your browser, It'll tell you a bit about the Devil and will also play a short movie for you... http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/wildlife/mammals/devil.html Cheers, CP Here is a link that might be useful: Tas tiger

Many years ago, I and my brother, and a large friend, took a trip down East in my Model A Ford Roadster, from Pittsburgh, Pa. area. We camped along side the roads, wherever we could find a place away from the hiway. Only travelled during the day. One night, we camped on top of a mountain, on a nice grassy plot, far from traffic. Crawled into our sleeping bags, and drifted off to sleep. Along about midnight, my large friend woke me up and whispered: "Jim-Jim-wake up! I hear a bear!" It was pitch black dark, i listened-didn't hear anything, but my friend insisted he heard a bear! This went on for 15 minutes or so. Then my friend grabbed my brother, then me, stuffed us into the car, threw our blankets in with us--jumped into the drivers seat, started the car----and there stood a very BIG bear!! WOOOFF! Didn't take long to get out of there, and go find a motel for the rest of the night!

One of my all time favorite books is a non-fiction titled The Blue Bear, by Lynn Schooler, published in 2002. It tells the true story of the friendship between Lynn Schooler, wilderness guide, and Michio Hoshino, Japanese wildlife photographer. This is a wonderful story of friendship and adventure, and a quest to find the elusive glacier bear. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I also second the suggestion of If You Lived Here, I'd Know Your Name. It was the kind of book that made me want to do an internet search to find out more about the writer and her community. I was saddened to see on the town's newspaper website that Ms. Lende was hit by a big truck while riding her bicycle. She survived, after a long rehab in Washington State. And although not a book, the tv series "Deadliest Catch" is an interesting look at commercial crab fishing in Alaska.

Mara, I am definitely interested in E. 'Cubic Frost'! It's beautiful -- whatever the name. If I don't find one at 'my' HD I'll be trying to beg a start off of you. Patty, house plants don't usually do well for me. The African violet is the only house plant I grow. Like cacti they prefer well drained soil or their roots rot. They can can take short periods of dry soil, but not for long. Bright light is a requirement. Given those conditions and a little weak fertilizer they flourish on my window sill.