So as I recall, PPJ showed up, poofed Frank, Mikey, Bikkie, and Pookie into a hot air balloon and off they went. Meanwhile, Josie finally found her way from Alaska to the Panda House at the National Zoo.
Okay! you are caught up.
Meanwhile, Friend to Bears Lucilla suggested that a gathering of pandas to say farewell to Ya Ya as she returns to China would be a fun thing. I immediately pounced (like a cat!) on this as a way to wrap up a story that seemed (like a hot air balloon) to be drifting aimlessly on the breeze.
Maybe don’t stand right under the balloon?
Be the Bear! Bob T I bet somebody is gonna get grounded Panda
Sadly, we are destined to be a country without pandas in the next year or two. San Diego’s pandas were sent to China in 2019, and the pandemic, not to mention TFG’s crappy stances on China meant we weren’t going to get a new panda loan agreement any time soon. Noted panda writer Henry Nicholls wrote an opinion piece for CNN about our addiction to domesticated pandas. That might not be quite how he put it, but he does have a point.
Pandas in the wild are different animals, and now it appears there may be some genetic difference between pandas that live in the wild and pandas that grew up on the all you can eat cruise ship model. “Pandas are solitary? Who knew?!!!!” said a group of pandas sitting around the table chowing down on boo shoots while playing Mah Jong.
Any way, now Ya Ya is on her way back to Beijing, alas without Le Le who succumbed to a previously undiagnosed heart ailment.
Could story lines collide soon? I guess we’ll find out.
Stay tuned for further developments!
Be the Bear! Bob T pass the endless boo buffet Panda
If you haven’t read Henry Nicholls’ The Way of the Panda, you should fix that immediately. It’s a great book about all things pandas, the politics of pandas, and there is a cameo appearance of a ‘toon that was perhaps done by your favorite practitioner of panda satire! My literary claim to fame!
We have recently received reports of the arrest of one of the Jan 6 insurrectionists who was reported to have worn…I can’t believe I have to say this… a PANDA SUIT when he invaded the Capitol.
Do I have to remind you that pandas are peaceful and a force for good and would never, never, never support Mittens? Needless to say, ZooNooZ will be covering this shameful episode next week. Defamation suits are being considered.
Be the Bear Bob T pandas would never do that Panda
Never underestimate the diplomatic value of hot cocoa (with liddle marshymallows) and cookies!
I’m guessing everyone involved (except for the First Lady) will be grounded.
A reminder that my pontificating can be found over on my new Substack NoozLetter. Feel free to subscribe as a free or paid subscriber. Both are welcome! Also, I am making progress on my new book! Hopefully by next week I’ll be ready to do a cover reveal and have a little more accurate estimate of when it will be available.
It was nice of whoever is continuing to float UFOs around the sky so that my ‘toon series would be relevant. Was this a spy balloon, or just a wayward panda cubby?
You be the judge!
You had ONE JOB, Beary Poppins!
Hee Hee!
Be the Bear Bob T I told you nothing bad would happen Panda
I mean…what with them finding classified documents at just about every former official’s house, it was only a matter of time before they came looking for what Pinky might have! I’m sure they will be taken in by her “innocent Pinky” look!
