Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Hibernation

Today's Wonder of the World is...Hibernation!

Flickr photo by abbiemiller
Maybe it's our dark rainy days around here, or maybe it's this bad cold that keeps me coughing and worn out (cue the violins playing,) but people, I'd really like to hibernate right now. Not for a whole season, mind you. Just a week or so.
The only problem is whenever I try, it turns out like this.

How I envy other hibernators.
Like the mouse lemur.

Flickr photo by Brian1625
Doesn't he look satisfied?
Or the West European hedgehog.

Flickr photo by Mark Atwell
How alert!
The ground squirrel

Flickr photo by seven_drunk_men
Or even the bat.

Photo from variousandsundry.etsy.com
Sorry, the bat photos freaked me out. But the shirt is nice. I found it here, with a bunch of other cool tees at variousandsundry.etsy.com. It'd be comfy to wear hibernating.

I'd add the bear to the list,

Flickr photo by Scott Michaels
but to my surprise I learned that bears don't truly hibernate! Did you know this? They undergo denning, but their metabolism doesn't slow enough to qualify as true hibernation.

I think I might be able to den at least as well as a bear. Especially if I found the right cave

Flickr photo by Luberon(
and had it thoroughly cleaned and de-rodent-ized.
And added a comfy bed.
Why wouldn't denning work out for me? After all, thanks to the holiday season I've recently ingested a large amount of extra food. Wouldn't it be nice to pull up the covers for a week or two and wake up a couple sizes smaller? And feeling rested to boot?!
I think I'll take along this sleepy guy to snuggle with me.

He looks like he needs it!
Have a wonder-full Wednesday, everyone!
Love, Becky

28 comments:

Ronnie said...

Had me noddin' off here and Pachelbel's canon is one of my all time favorites.
Good luck hibernating, Becky!

Unknown said...

Hibernation does sounds kind of appealling right now, doesn't it? I think there's something about the sugar coma we get into in January after December's major holiday Sugar RUSH! LOL! That hedgehog and squirrel looked adorable.

Linda Summerfield said...

I have hunkered down until I see green outside!
Your Pal,
Linda
P.S. When we lived in France,my Father nearly broke a tooth on a ceramic baby in a Galette des Rois. He yelled "Jesus" and spit out a little baby, we thought we had witnessed a miracle!!!
There is an order of French Nuns running a bakery in Chicago, excellent cakes!

Suzie said...

I think I could den it too. Sounds great espcially if they have really big bathtubs in there

Anonymous said...

Interesting to note that a bear's den is clean and smells fresh when they wake up in the spring--I was surprised to learn that.
It's these short days and the cold weather--getting out of bed is SO hard.

Felicity said...

That is serious cuteness!

I'm dreaming of an afternoon hibernation right now... what bliss it would be.

Fete et Fleur said...

I'm feeling the same way. A week would be heavenly!!

Nancy

David Ebright said...

Glad I'm not alone - feelin' beat & worn out, but no time for a break - especially hibernation. This big ole bear's gotta keep muddling through.....

lotusgirl said...

All this dreary weather this week has had me wanting to stay in the bed too. My bed loves me so! It never wants to let me go!

Renee said...

I especially like the picture with the pillow over your head.

har har

Love Renee

Unknown said...

It's rainy and windy. That's a great combination for hibernation, don't you think?

May Vanderbilt said...

That widdle bear! He is adorable! And I think you're totally right about the "denning." That sounds like a weight loss program I can get behind!

Susan said...

I'm all for hibernation! I'm sending you a healing hug for that bear of a cold. Take care. Susan

jama said...

I didn't know that about bears (denning). Wonders truly never cease!

Hope you feel better soon, Becky. Here's some dark chocolate to tide you over while hibernating :).

angela recada said...

Hi! I found your blog through Susan's blog ;-). Hibernating sounds good here in Wisconsin, too. Love the animal pics!
Take care,
Angela

Adrienne said...

Awww, that baby bear is the cutest thing! I had to play it again for the kids.

Anonymous said...

Did I catch my cold from you when you left your comment on my 100th Post? cough, cough, blooooooow! Can cold bugs be transmitted like other "cyber bugs"? I feel sorry for you (violins ARE playing for you) because I feel pretty icky, too! I think I am gonna grab a hot cup of something with lemon in it (like a toddy!!) and crawl back in bed.. . . . and hibernate.

It was so good to hear from you!!

Happy New Year and check back on Sat. for the big reveal of winner and prize! :) Dana

Attic Rat said...

It's going to be a beautiful day today. It's bright and sunny and a bit cool. LOVE IT!

Teresa

LarryG said...

wonderful hibernating, something to relax and ponder at beddy by time :)

lotusgirl said...

I stopped by for my daily dose of Becky, and she's not here yet.

This is such a surprise that I got a little worried. You doing okay?

Rebecca Ramsey said...

How nice to be missed!
I'm sick in bed with Tanner the Slobber Dog, a box of Kleenex, and my laptop, singing "Nobody knows the trouble I've seen..."
It's really not so bad. Just a mean old cold.
I should be back tomorrow.
Thanks!

ForCryingOutLoud said...

Get well soon and PAMPER yourself, Becky. Send hubby out to get you some "Village Bathworks 'Aches and Pains' bath salts"....they sell it at WalMart...it'll help open up your sinus, and it's a great excuse to have a room to yourself! Unless Tanner the slobber dog can open doors...

EllenP said...

Hope you feel better soon - I missed reading you today.

Rosemary said...

Hibernating sounds kind of good about now.
Chat soon,
Rosemary

steve said...

Hey sis! Get better soon! Maybe the next wonder of the world could be a Neti Pot.

David Ebright said...

Sorry you're sick - When I saw you didn't report to work at the WNC BLOG ... I said... "Hey she's gettin' to be a slacker". My bad. Take tomorrow off too - post a re-run. One that's not about food.
Get Better!!!
Dave

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

That mouse lemur looks just like a cousin on my mother's side.

Rebecca Ramsey said...

You guys are too kind!
And funny!
How I love you people!