Picnic spot in the woods, my dream mobile barbeque and, PG warning, just after very minor surgery.

Just so everybody knows, I've blazed this trail for me, sure, but I hope thet it becomes a spot for many other families to relax. Keep posted.

My dream!!! barbeque. I have most of the parts but not most of the money to put them together... Darn!

Saturdays are fun again!

This has been a fun (and dirt cheap) project. Last night I moved the concrete patio table and benches down there. Very relaxing.

Maddie's First Mobile Easter Egg Hunt

Maddie loved the egg hunt! After finding her eggs, she 'hid' them so she could hunt them again.

Erin and Maddie blowing bubbles. Notice Red in the background (probably hiding eggs).

The Truth about the Easter Bunny

The basket was nearly full but Red, nearly exhausted, knew his job was not finished...

After reading the paper, he produced more eggs- some with fifty cent pieces in them... Jeff, with his opposable thumbs, eagerly transfered the eggs to the basket.

...one more to be safe...

It's a hard life

Poor old Bosco has got it tough...

There is no collapse

Darned seventh hole!!

Check out my score before I completely crumbled.

Have you seen your children lately?

New house

Check out my manly hobby

Emma attempted her best Henry Winkler.

Wimp

Who complains about bruised fingers? You've spent waaaaaaay too much time in corporate.

Love,

Loving Brother

Why you should read the instructions

OK, so I've got extra time on my hands after quitting my job just before the most significant economic downturn during my life. That is a different story deserving it's own headline.

During that time off I am finally getting my workshop cleaned out so I can actually use it. I had lumber and odd sorts of wood that I had carted from my first house OVER 15 YEARS AGO laying on the floor. Between that packrat activity, building a deck, fence, remodeling the basement and overall basic Beavin handicraft stuff I could not see the floor on most of my workshop. Throw in all of the useable building materials and duplicate tools (you ever rebought something 'cause you couldn't find what you KNOW you already have?) and the room was stupid.

Clearing out all of the excess wood products that no one would ever need was essential. I started cutting all it up into bite-size pieces. I was about 95% done and obviously was being careless. I misplaced a piece on my chopsaw, lit up the saw and it kicked the piece right onto my thumb (see photo). I just don't see how you can't cuss when this occurs. The red stuff on the photo actually isn't the bad part. You can barely see the purple knot under the thumbnail (evidence of high impact) and my thumbprint area itself was bruised. I thought my thumb was snapped in two. I would say that the injury itself hurt so bad but that pain was NOTHING until I did the proper first-aid of applying ice to the injured part. Given the choice of constant ice or just cutting off the thumb, I don't know at the time what I would have done.

My apologies to everyone where I have recommended ice to reduce swelling for trauma events, especially when I have told them to suck up the pain. Now just what would have happened if I had iced down myself when the jellyfish this summer stung me between the legs....

Is this wrong?

I guess there comes a point when you just stop caring...

Three Idiots, One Day

I know. You encounter aggressively rude, dangerous idiots on occasion while driving, and when it happens it's memorable because the actions of the idiot contrast so dramatically from what you were taught.
Yesterday (I'm not embellishing any of this) I encountered THREE of them and I'm not talking your garden-variety, casual stain of idiot that cuts you off and drives on oblivious of the sin that has been committed or drives a little too close for your comfort. No, I'm talking about that type of idiot that seeks out conflict and would wither and die if a day went by in peace and tranquility...
Idiot One:
On the way to work I decided to pass a rather slow moving truck on Paris Pike. No big deal. The road is a four laner so I glanced in my rear-view mirror and noted a red camaro approaching in the fast lane some distance back. Looked like it was going pretty fast but it was so far back I didn't hesitate to ease over into the fast lane and proceed to pass the truck. Just as I was preparing to return to the slow lane I looked into my rear-view mirror to check that I was giving the truck plenty of room, I couldn't help but notice that either my car had grown longer or the camaro was virtually up my tail pipe. I braced for the impact that appeared unavoidable. The hood of the car was not visible due to the proximity of it to my bumper. The only way I could have seen the black painted redneck scoops would have been to have had the foresight to install a mirror on the trunk lid of my car. I had no trouble, however, seeing the rage-contorted face of the 'driver'. He was not at all happy that I had caused him to slow from at least ninety to my speed (a still-illegal sixty two). Now the windshield was moving side to side as the psycho drove his point home, "This is MY road and others will borrow it only if they are considerate of my need to endanger them."
Now in the slow lane, I watch as idiot steps on it and really improves my mood by flipping me off in slow motion with his big fat finger. I reciprocate and continue on to work in serious need of a record change and praying that the fat-fingered jerk gets intercepted by the police.
Idiot Two:
Did I mention that until the back yard is complete, I have to drive home to check on the dogs (a whole nother story...) during lunch? Barely calmed down from Idiot One, I checked on Jasper. Good dog! No damage today. Good dog! (again, a whole nother story). Taco Bell sounded good for lunch so I decided to run for the border on the way back to the office. I turned to enter the parking lot but had to pause because the car in front of me had stopped to allow another vehicle to back out of a parking space. Within a second or two I heard a train whistle and briefly marveled at how close it sounded. Hmm. There it was again! From the rear-view mirror I noted an infuriated idiot laying on his horn, gesticulating that I should definitely move my ass. While I'm not sure about what he was saying, I am sure it wasn't "Excuse me, kind Sir, but could you please move on so that I may purchase a cheezy double beef burrito?" The veins clearly visible on his forehead indicated that his request wasn't as polite.
Now experiencing a strange combination of rage and amazement that lightning appeared to have struck twice in one day, I pointed towards the stopped car in front of me (the same stopped car that was easily within Idiot Two's view). He responded by punching the horn again for several seconds and gesturing that that was NO excuse. The stopped car moved on and I followed with an idiot close behind. It parked. I circled the building, now too angry to eat, and noticed the jerk and a hideous woman exiting the locomotive horned crown victoria. I pulled up beside Idiot Two, rolled down my window and offered the following....loudly, all the while wondering when the gun would appear "Hey idiot, what's wrong with you? Did you not see the car in front of me?!!! I coudn't go anywhere!!!" As the moron give me the what-for in a falsetto of complete gibberish for daring to address him, hideous woman, hands on hips, admiring his bravery, I noticed why he may not have seen the car in front of me. He looked blind. Seriously, one eye was missing and the other did not look operational. Deep pock marks covered his face. Shrapnel wounds? His personality was the perfect compliment to his shockingly ugly face. Sad, really. Visions of Idiot One resurfaced as I wondered why Idiot Two was driving in the first place and I marveled at my luck barely four hours into the day.
Idiot Three:
As if my heart rate needed further elevation, another episode was just around the corner. About four miles from the office, at the intersection of Russel Cave and Iron Works Pike, I came to a stop on Iron works and noted that a car was approaching the stop on Russel Cave, so I decided to go but was intercepted by that car and yet another flipping-off. This time, the insult was quick and efficient. Ok, so Idiot Three did kind of fall into the garden variety moron catagory. Three idiots, one day. Amazing!

Oh, did I mention that, to start my day, I was greeted by dog poop in the sunroom?

Love Mike

Common Sense 101

An electric shock can occur upon contact of a human's body with any source of voltage high enough to cause sufficient current through the muscles or hair. The minimum current a human can feel is thought to be about 1 milliampere (mA). The current may cause tissue damage or fibrillation if it is sufficiently high. Death caused by an electric shock is referred to as electrocution.

Where's Nick?

Yep, it's live

...........................

What a pair

Cynthia demonstrating her extraordinary talent while getting the place ready for Papa's 90th b-day party.

Louisville kicks ass

Bet you didn't know this..

Bizarro C.R.A.B.E. Parents and Family

Chris after someone tells the poop eating story.
Andrea after entertaining the Beavins
Dad after denying he farted
Mike (picture unaltered)
Oh, Mickey you're so fine....

Bizarro C.R.A.B.E

Cynthia as Wolverine's sister
Rachel flat out scary
Amanda in love
Bridget a little upset
Eleanore as a bulldog

A Fresh Cut

I decided it was the ideal time to give the backyard it's initial mowing.

Stoned

Here is my progress on the rock wall.

Yet more house pics

In kitchen facing laundry room.
Huge chimney and spot where deck is to be built.
Very large fireplace and water damage to be fixed.
Laundry room

More house pics.

Back yard needs mowing, huh?
Kitchen facing the livingroom. The wall is going to be opened and an island will be installed on the left.
Driving away from the nearest neighbors.
No driveway, yet. You have to climb between barb wire.

Lots of Info

Welcome to the education world, Mark.

Addi experienced some difficulties with her binky.

A Visit With Todd & Patti

Yib & I visited Todd & Patti's farm Sunday (9-7). Todd & Patti were such gracious hosts. Todd helped Yib harvest some of the banana leaves for her Thai cooking. Walking into the bamboo forest is walking into another world separated only by yards. While Patti was clearing some pond growth and Todd was preparing the immediate yard behind the patio/deck for planting grass, Yib helped me cut various sized bamboo for my garden plant supports. Oh - that Yucca behind me in the top picture has actual needle points! I had put my camera on 10 second delay and in that span I pushed the button from about 12' away, rushed to settle in my spot, backed into one of those needles, said ouch very loudly, then settled into the picture with a smile almost as nice as the others. The pressure of it all!

Dad

Mike's Weekend Continued

...So, back to the rope swing. I adjusted the seat up higher, plopped my butt down noticing the slight sway of the big branch as it accommodated my heft, cracked a beer at the sinfully early hour of 1:00 and leisurely read the Sunday sports page. What was wrong with this picture? Nothing unless a beer an hour after noon sounds problematic. Sounds like redneck heaven. Problem is I don't EVER relax on the weekend! Didn't feel right... and THAT is wrong.

Just before the inner debate that culminated in my date with the swing, I had been told that there was no need to finish out the month as manager of Sunland Farm. It wasn't a firing, but a reaction to my news that as of the first of October I would no longer serve as manager of the pleasure horse boarding facility I founded, designed, grew and made successful beyond anyones (including the owners) expectations.

The former weed patch at the corner of the Paris bypass and Georgetown road had transformed into a jewel where, on any given day, people driving down the bypass could glance over and observe horse and rider meandering through the fields or working out in the arena. A closer inspection would reveal families gathering for lunch and boarders chatting in the stable areas. A closer inspection still would reveal an incredibly stessed out guy named Mike that had taken on too much!

It was also becoming more and more apparent that the advice about avoiding business situations with friends is sound advice.

....More later, but heres a pic of the house I'll be moving into. Its on several hundred acres and needs a LOT of work, but I've been promised that it will be ready by the first of November.

La La La

Dad, Mom is still beautiful. I think of her daily and especially during my Education classes. I know she would love to know I will be teaching soon.


This brings me to my point. I know this profession is where I should be. It's a little comical considering my constant "fear" of school to this day. But I know other students, young and old, have the same situation and that's why I know I'll be able to relate to them. The Lord works in strange ways and I am a perfect example of it. I'm sure most of the family was a little skeptical (I sure as crap was) of what I would become. Hopefully everyone kept an open mind and realized patience and time (and my wife) has probably been my best companion. I will continue to have the obstacles which may seem elementary to others but I'm determined to make a difference. Barking dogs, strange sounding condensers and pen clicking will probably always distract me but hopefully I'll be able to distract a few students from needless trouble.

I don't think I've ever been serious for this long. Well, Addi is refusing to sleep. The real comedy begins.

Pretty Lady

Isn't she beautiful! Isn't she STILL beautiful!

Dad

A Distinctly Mike Beavin Weekend

This was SOME weekend by any standard... or at least any standard in my life (for those of you who know me ((like anyone who doesn't know me would read this)), that is). < just exploring the myriad ways to use parinthesis (I'm positive I spelled 'parinthesis' wrong. I don't care.). Anyway, everything started out pretty normal except for something you'll hear about a little later in this post.
I didn't sleep for worrying about the farm work to be done on Saturday. Got up, didn't shower (why, I would be stinkin by 11:00am anyway), and then things got kind of weird even by my standards... Suddenly I had no work to do. By 1:00pm I was sitting on the rope swing out back, sipping a beer and reading the sports page. Before I go on, hers's some background.
I've been needing to change a few things recently; some of them big and some of them small, but all bundled up and staring me in the face, they have seemed frightening and quite impossible. A mistake on my part only a week ago may not have have shifted everything from frightening and impossible to bearable, but at least it forced action.
My 24 are all acounted for. Everyone over a certain age with either huge ambition or more than enough children to replace you and your spouse know the feeling. 24 hours is not even close to enough. For some time now I have wanted to reclaim some of those hours and reallocate them for nobler purposes like...
Being a better uncle. I'm most likely popular with my brothers children only because I'm so scarce.
Being a better brother. 'Stress kills' is a phrase I've heard so many times. I don't want to kill my brothers so sparing them constant reports about mine seems to limit communication.
Being a better son, a partner, an employee, a friend... It all requires the same thing: time.
So you see, I need some time back and the only way to do it is to quit. At least the nonimportant stuff.

....In true blog style, I must quit for tonight, but I promise I'll get to the weird stuff in the next few days. Stay tuned.

Datura

This is a one species of the Datura Chris started for me over a year ago. Isn't it beautiful! It's about 7-1/2' tall and about 4-1/2' across. The bloom from stem start to end is 14". Before the Datura bloomed, my Jasmin was the most pleasant fragrance of any on the deck. According to Worldbook the Datura is "any of a group of course, bad smelling plants" and is very toxic. Well, I might buy the toxic part (not having ingested any to find otherwise) but the aroma is as alluring as the flower is gorgeous. As the day wears on, the bloom loses it's fragrance but returns in the late afternoon and night. Thanks Chris.

Back Yard Buddies

Sitting on my deck in the quiet allows me to marvel at God's wonderful creatures. Rarely am I aware of the humming bird before I hear those busy wings. The cooing of the dove, the unique high pitched call of the tree frog, the squirrel's bark and the songs of dozens of birds as they play and feed is so very peaceful. Then Mr. SKUNK struts out! He lives beneath the deck. How lovely! Think I'll ask Chris to help me relocate him to Jeff's house - his deck would be perfect. Wha da ya think Jeff?

The Clan

Finally!

Just a note to say hi to all. I will stay involved from here on. Thanks, Mark, for providing us with another way to stay in touch. I guess about 20 were missing from this 8-31-08 reunion picture. As it is, some are not shown on the left. We all missed Mark, Brittany, Emma and Addi.

Dad

This tree was amazing

Big honkin tree in Jamaica

I Have One

Here is something to chew on.

Do you agree with police officers being allowed to use patrol cars for personal use?

Personally, I think officers are paid crap (depending on what kind) and just seeing a police vehicle around makes a disruptive loser maybe think twice. I feel each officer should be required to log where they drive outside of work. Maybe that already happens.

Mark

We have contact...

I believe somebody else posted on this blog. Wow.

Say Something

The Moment She Let Go

The moment she let go and her memory was moments old, her after-image began to fade.
Even as we swore to keep her real, she continued to fade
And tried to become fiction
Nine months and forty years in or by her side was not enough
Holding her head, sisters standing in vigil, was not enough
Even as her life was pleading for her, she moved away
And became fiction

My Attempt

Mark is a genius
Brain power further and wide
Envy to follow

This'll get em posting! Beavin themed Haiku Contest! WOOHOO!!

Ok, so a haiku has three lines. The first line has five syllables. The second has seven and the third has five again. Examples:


Beavins produce girls
Cant put stem on apple much
Nick was adopted
-or-
Mike can't concentrate
purveyor of shiny things
Eighty percent done


So, even though I know I'm just posting to myself and Mark, let's try this: Make up one self-depricating Haiku and make it a good one. After everyone has posted one, we'll vote for the best. That should be sometime after I author a self-help book titled "Mr. 100%"...

Double Action

I'm glad Mike and I are posting back and forth to each other.

Echo....Echo....Echo....

...Anybody out there? Gary went on vacation...or did he?

7.25.08

Do you notice the cut by Addi's left eye? Emma thought it was best to hoist a piece of wood towards Addi...just for fun.

Posting

I might be a little late in posting again. Britt moved the modem to her office and I'm waiting to get the wireless set up. I'm looking for the rest of the family (especially Dad with his mountain of photos) to be contributing soon. Let's see some shots of Madelyn.

Mark

Mike made a new friend at the Labrea tar pits.

A little slice of life. I miss you, mom.

Yea, I know this video is pretty crappy. Dad looks like a moron and I sound like a fruitcake, but it has a few seconds of Mom in it and that makes it beautiful to me. I miss her so much but as time goes by she seems to be slipping farther away. It almost feels as if I'm losing her again. That can't happen!! This stupid little clip pulled her a little closer and gave me an idea. Lets share. Woudn't it be neat to start compiling your memories of Mom? It could be video, pictures or just a story. I could sure use something to focus on that honors her memory and keeps her image sharp in my mind.

2.11.07

Do you see a trend here?

Um, perhaps we should go (2002)

I had never wanted to be black so bad.

5.19.07

...three sorry sacs.

2.11.07

I feel sorry for his kids.

1.14.07

Jeff highlights another picture with his natural smile.

3.31.07

There is a reason why Eleanor was the last child.

Feed The Brain

I promised education and I deliver.


A cockroach can live for up to a week without a head.

5.27.07

We finally had to retire the Shrek gown. Emma was not pleased.

3.10.08

Andrea could probably have another 8 kids without even flinching.

2006

It takes a little bit to shift to educational items.

2006

Stupid is allowed on this site.

Thank you Mark for starting this. I hope the rest of your family can live up to your lofty standards. I'll start things off with a couple kind of creepy pictures (depending on your insect creep factor) from the farm of a honey bee swarm that was searching for a new home.

Take a close look at this one. The bees are flying all around me but are far too interested in the queen (buried in the middle of the bee clump) to think about stinging.
Finally convinced Lara to pose for this one. She was not amused to say the least.

Let's Get Started

I set up this blog to allow for any part of the family to share whatever they feel is needed. It can be anything that's stupid, educational or sports related, etc.