The mountain lion sleeps tonight
This happened [my emphasis]:
A mountain lion forced residents of Santa Monica and their tiny pets indoors as officials scoured the area for the apex predator.
The Santa Monica Police Department descended on the residential area of 14th and Montana Friday morning after someone allegedly saw the animal in the area. …
The mountain lion was first located sleeping in a residential backyard, and did not move from that location for several hours, a SMPD spokesperson told The California Post. …
After about six hours, the animal was reportedly hit with a tranquilizer, sending it running through the neighborhood. Officials were seen in a video chasing after the big cat in an attempt to wrangle and capture it. …
Finally, nine hours after it was first reported, the animal was successfully tranquilized and removed.
Just a few years ago I was staying with a friend in the suburbs of Los Angeles. It was April, and I went for a walk in a very built-up area of many homes. And yet I saw a mountain lion walking through a group of bushes not more than 50 yards away from me. I turned and slowly walked in another direction, heart pounding but trying not to transmit fear although I was quite frightened.
When that happened to me, it made me think of this old Kingston Trio song from my youth. It’s a California song:
And now of course we have to have the song “Wimoweh,” later called “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” I prefer this older Weavers version (1955) to the later pop version by the Tokens:
Here is the original South African group who created the song. You can see how closely the Weavers stuck to this version:
Here’s a wonderful version of Wimoweh. Watching it sung so joyfully brings me joy too, whether or not I actually like the song.
https://youtu.be/erCq44KSEHQ?si=oYqpraNUT3GWQP4n
In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion, sleeps off, the dart.
In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion, sleeps off, the dart.
Mutual of Omaha Wild Kingdom.
Fortunately for Jim, he didn’t let Marlin talk him into wearing the red shirt.
Somehow I’ve got the notion it’s a lullaby. So, other such for comparisons.
https://youtu.be/Q445ZMY-jWw (Gershwin)
https://youtu.be/8CzEKJMXeP0 (Faure, Dolly Suite)
https://youtu.be/ULnCsIFfa7E (Ravel, le nom de Faure)
In the jungle, the darkest jungle, the lion gets the dart.
Hush my darling, don’t fret, my darling, the lion got the dart.
Weem a wok a week a wok….
In my area they just put up signs that say a mountain lion has been spotted on these coastal trails. Be wary and good luck.
Of course, the big killer that we have, are our rocky shorelines, and thousands of tourists climbing on those rocks along with rough seas. Those that can’t keep the adage, “Don’t turn your back on the ocean” in mind, routinely get swept off and drown. Probably after getting their head bashed into a rock.
First, it was the frightening bat blots.
Then, it was cannibalism in the Andes.
Now, it’s mountain lions at the back door.
Like, the politics wasn’t scary enough?