tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-153658862011-06-08T00:22:00.056-06:00Thoughts and adventures of one Canadian clanKeithbeatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07014986114968054606noreply@blogger.comBlogger2521100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-76447485935576921032008-04-03T07:09:00.003-06:002008-04-03T11:45:48.131-06:00

Here is a site for anyone interested in developing a green lifestyle.Check it - TreeHugger

Keithbeatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07014986114968054606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-82482459709346963312008-02-23T07:47:00.006-07:002008-02-23T08:10:15.661-07:00

As Kai was watching a few taped episodes of Pinky Dinky Doo this morning an interesting thing happened. One of the episodes is called Pinky Shrinks. Becky asked me if I remember Shrinky Dinks. Of course everyone knows that most men's mental ages are that of a twelve year old and mine is no exception. I immediately started to laugh. I vaguely remember these little craft projects. The idea behind

Keithbeatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07014986114968054606noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-66660082092053070062008-02-18T11:14:00.013-07:002008-12-13T02:58:16.783-07:00

On Saturday I left Boulder to climb La Plata. Of all the 14er's in Colorado it ranks in at number five for elevation (4369m). We started from the trail head at 7:20 am and after much post holing and rout finding we arrived at camp at 2:30pm. After setting up camp I had a nap, ate 2 two serving dinners and drifted off to a restless sleep until 5:30 am. Our plan we to get up at 4:30am so we could

Keithbeatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07014986114968054606noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-2606435456660056722008-02-10T22:27:00.000-07:002008-12-13T02:58:17.568-07:00

Nothing makes this four and a half year old happier than to help bake or cook. This morning I finally did something with the old bananas that were sitting on the counter. The recipe that I use makes two nice little loafs of banana bread, one goes on the glass domed cake stand, the other into the freezer for next week (yeah right). Today Kai remembered that he has a little apron with trucks on it

Keithbeatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07014986114968054606noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-64473746259109318352008-02-07T10:25:00.001-07:002008-02-07T10:25:50.609-07:00

This is for all the Election fans out there.

Beckynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-87668999849667984482008-02-05T08:07:00.000-07:002008-12-13T02:58:18.029-07:00

At the Canucks at large household, we like to do things a little differently. May the parading and eating and antioxidizing and voting begin! Of course, we can't actually vote, but we can at least sit by and patiently wait. And we can eat pancakes.The funniest part about this is that when he was making the pancakes with Kai this morning, Keith didn't actually realize that today is Fat Tuesday.

Beckynoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-88233342264711508622008-02-03T13:48:00.000-07:002008-02-03T22:20:12.262-07:00

Prior to Becky's prodding it was my intent to post some video and pictures from my winter camping trip. We started hiking into Mammoth Reservoir from a trail head near the town of Rollinsville. The hike took about two hours. After the first hour I donned my snowshoes to avoid sinking up to my waist in snow. Once we arrived at the site for our field trip it was an easy afternoon of digging,

Keithbeatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07014986114968054606noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-69755429759785454092008-02-02T09:55:00.000-07:002008-12-13T02:58:18.183-07:00

Wow... this is our 250th post. That's a bit of a milestone, no?I've had a fairly busy week... I think. It's really all a blur. A definite highlight was when my dear friend Megan took me to her bouldering gym (rock climbing sans rope) on Thursday evening. It has been a couple days since we went, but my arms and legs still feel like I picked up a small truck and carried it down the street. Don't

Beckynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-69401369710843041732008-01-29T18:46:00.000-07:002008-01-29T19:53:52.885-07:00

Bless his heart, at least the travel I do for work presents an opportunity for learning.I was parked in the hallway outside our bathroom, taking advantage of the bathtime playtime to upgrade a computer program for work and listening to Kai play with his new Target brand Toob-style tube of wee sea creature toys, when I heard the following:"So, here are the fish. These fish and these crabs live at

Beckynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-87973275100205267202008-01-21T12:14:00.000-07:002008-12-13T02:58:18.605-07:00

... it would apparently be a bluegrass band from somewhere in the deep south. I would likely be the person playing the jug (you know, the person who blows across the mouth of a jug and makes deep hooty noises?) and perhaps adds some other percussion sounds here or there. I've never claimed to be very musical, despite eight+ years of parental investment into piano lessons.Anyhow, this fun little

Beckynoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-52581389191504373082008-01-16T22:29:00.001-07:002008-12-13T02:58:18.896-07:00

the monotony of working as much as possible.It seems to happen each year. Not that I'm an expert on this whole "working" thing: I managed to avoid properly entering the workforce for a good 5 years by returning to grad school and slogging my way through another degree. But, for the third straight year since the ol' defence thingy, I find myself on the cusp of yet another field study. Don't get me

Beckynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-68901191684509961542008-01-13T19:11:00.001-07:002008-12-13T02:58:19.117-07:00

Becky: (groggy, just waking up) Good morning, Kai.Kai: (not as groggy, climbing across the bed, apparently on a mission) Good morning, mama. I have a question.B: What is it, Bub?K: When people go up mountains, how do they get down?B: Well, when they walk up a mountain they generally walk back down. Sometimes it is almost as hard to walk down as it is to walk up.K: I think it would be funner (sic)

Beckynoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-6090770936630573972008-01-12T21:21:00.000-07:002008-12-13T02:58:20.454-07:00

Having a friend over.Painting some rocks.Baking some cookies.Taking Puddles for a ride in anything that he can pull or drag around.It was an absolutely lovely day today. It wasn't particularly warm, but it was warm enough for me to be inspired to take down the outdoor Christmas lights and to attach our new (to us) trailer bike to my bike to take Kai for a little ride. (I suppose it is the

Beckynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-58856652026866930032008-01-08T22:36:00.001-07:002008-12-13T02:58:22.232-07:00

It was necessary to treat a skin rash he has had for a while. But really: Oh.My.Goodness.

Beckynoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-5963744625169213622008-01-08T08:58:00.000-07:002008-01-08T10:47:37.775-07:00

Watch and listen to this. I am sure that you will be convinced that Radiohead is one of the best bands on the planet. I watched the video this morning and it is good stuff. The songs are from their new album (or alblum - for Tyler) In Rainbows. The album was originally released on the band's website for a pay what you want fee. It was released in North American stores on January 1. Check it.I

Keithbeatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07014986114968054606noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-71079129164023124592008-01-05T15:55:00.001-07:002008-12-13T02:58:22.682-07:00

Oh my, I do love me a good relaxing Saturday, and today was just that. Lots of little things checked off the list:mail that stuff to mom and dadremove the very unnecessary and actually bulky pockets from my new fleece skiing pantsdo a couple loads of laundryvacuum the upstairsbake a couple loaves of pumpkin breadfinally unpack all those wonderful pieces of China from my mom-in-lawtake the wreath

Beckynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-53742877431717806622008-01-04T18:09:00.001-07:002008-01-04T18:36:51.865-07:00

I hope your New Year's was wonderful. Mine was lovely, thank you very much. Our family celebrated with some of the folks from our church at our pastor's house. Does that sound lame? Let me tell you, it was not. We are a very cool bunch. And the terribly exciting Cranium match proved it.I've never been one for those big huge ring-in-the-New-Year in a skimpy sparkly thing holding a glass of bubbly

Beckynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-74326114142876776312007-12-28T21:50:00.001-07:002008-12-13T02:58:23.816-07:00

Although my Facebook status seemed to suggest that I might have already frantically ransacked all our Christmas decor a couple days ago, I am still currently sitting in the Christmas wonderland that is our living room. Cold Mountain is on TV - Bravo maybe? Hey Jude is about to get shot... oops - sorry if I just ruined that 5-year-old movie for you. Alas, poor Nicky.I just finished rifling through

Beckynoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-6803469422139812722007-12-25T11:53:00.000-07:002008-12-13T02:58:24.945-07:00

May your day be full of surprises, love, warmth and cheer.We're going to have lunch and then head out on our way to go sledding on the new 4-8" of snow. Merry Christmas!

Beckynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-38416779476531487082007-12-24T21:32:00.000-07:002008-12-13T02:58:25.459-07:00

When Keith was a kid, some of Santa's elves would pay a visit early on Christmas Eve to deliver a package with new pajamas. Those same elves have been visiting us over the last couple years, and tonight was no exception.Merry Christmas!

Beckynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-45653006302735752372007-12-22T18:49:00.000-07:002008-12-13T02:58:25.613-07:00

Kai is visiting us as a guest blogger here today, answering questions about his Christmas traditions, because he has so many. The questions are from a Christmas-themed meme I saw over at Frog and Toad Are Still Friends, and I thought that it might be entertaining to find out what Kai thinks about Christmas.For the record, I'm not making any of this up. These are his answers, as verbatim as I can

Beckynoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-16491152173183652092007-12-22T09:20:00.000-07:002008-12-13T02:58:25.977-07:00

Keith's side of the family received a couple early Christmas presents this past week as two little ones make their debuts. Keith's cousin Beth and her husband Ryan had sweet little Sophia Marie on December 19, and yesterday his cousin Tony's wife Tasha gave birth to the adorable Kian Douglas. Congratulations to all of you... they're beautiful, and I can't wait to meet them - not to mention the

Beckynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-88320915912817649932007-12-19T08:00:00.003-07:002008-12-13T02:58:27.386-07:00

I know that many runs have been open for weeks (months?), but this was my first time out this season.I know my goggles look crooked, but they weren't. Honest.The ol' "through the goggles" shot. My new goggles are rose-tinted. Everything is so pretty with rose-coloured goggles.This signpost made me laugh. Here we are, coming down the hill, and we're presented with these two options. I know it's

Beckynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-71786115421042168742007-12-17T19:44:00.000-07:002008-12-13T02:58:27.603-07:00

Lately we've been working on the concept of here versus everywhere else. For instance, a week or so ago Kai suggested that when it is nighttime here, that it is nighttime all over the world.Um... not exactly my dear, I explained, "the Earth is turning, and half of it faces the sun while the other half is facing away from the sun. So it is nighttime here, but in other places it is daytime."To

Beckynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-50810321763762636002007-12-15T16:51:00.001-07:002008-12-13T02:58:28.668-07:00

Overheard at our place this morning:Me: Merry Christmas, Keith. Look, I bought you two new tires for Christmas. Aren't they wonderful?Him: Oh, Becky, wow... I don't know what to say... that's so sweet. And what a coincidence, because I bought you two new tires, too. And while we're at it, here are those new wiper blades you've always wanted.Me: Gosh, sweetie. Thanks. I will cherish them for as

Beckynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-78896914441336433602007-12-13T16:18:00.000-07:002008-12-13T02:58:28.861-07:00

Apparently I haven't written anything since August 27. Even before that I guess I hadn't written much over the past year, possibly longer. There isn't any particular reason for this absence, I just haven't had much to say. But now I do.On November 4th I was offered a spot on a hockey team and through a couple of generous gifts we were able to pay for the season. Ice time here in the USA is much

Keithbeatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07014986114968054606noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-41890723488204311912007-12-12T12:32:00.000-07:002007-12-12T17:25:31.458-07:00

The opinions expressed in the following post are all mine.It has been about a year since I had to ask my brother what "w00t" meant. Evidently, I had been sadly uninformed about the coolspeak that was invading my generation's vocabulary. You know, things like "d00d" and "how r u doin?" and "l8r"? {shudder} Wow... I couldn't even type those things in quotes just now without feeling lame. You see,

Beckynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-6076601019306342382007-12-10T17:59:00.001-07:002008-12-13T02:58:29.014-07:00

Thanks so much for all the lovely compliments on our cookies. As for the icing (I refuse to call it frosting), I have had this recipe since I worked as a page at the Children’s Library in Barrie.ah... the Annex. Such fond memories... like the time that old man drove right up over the walkway in front of the library, somehow managing to miss all the support posts that held up the pergola, dropping

Beckynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-27815191124623435502007-12-09T15:51:00.000-07:002008-12-13T02:58:29.780-07:00

But I can still just have fun with my kid.Happy cookie making, everyone!

Beckynoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-5625208806463422282007-12-08T17:19:00.000-07:002008-12-13T02:58:31.201-07:00

My jealously over the copious amount of snow that has fallen on southern Ontario came to an abrupt end today.We're currently at ~3" and counting, with as much as 7" predicted. (That's 17.78 of your Canadian centimetres, Christian.) I know - it's nothing compared to what happened in Port Sydney, but what it does mean is that there is a LOT of snow in the mountains, and that makes for great skiing.

Beckynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-14624288229353657052007-12-05T19:41:00.000-07:002008-12-13T02:58:31.741-07:00

Kai is starting to read! When I think about it, I really have no concept of when kids start learning to read on average, but I think it's safe to say that I really don't care. I'm just excited that it's happening! The magic book is "Bears on Wheels" - Kai read almost the entire story to me tonight. The "twenty-one on none" page is very exciting, I tell ya. I know he is primarily memorizing the

Beckynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-30360979171008156892007-11-30T16:40:00.000-07:002008-12-13T02:58:34.113-07:00

I know - I didn't post last night, but I believe I said "maybe even tonight". Instead of posting, I sent myself to bed around 9 PM because I felt that cold coming on. You know, the one that chased us around Ontario? The one that everyone was either just getting over when we arrived at their doorsteps or getting just as we pulled out of their driveways? Yeah. That one. Keith got it as we were

Beckynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-54724429773829889282007-11-29T15:48:00.000-07:002007-11-29T15:55:51.938-07:00

Good news - the cast is off, and no surgery will be needed! Kai's peter-pointer is well on its way to being healed, and apart from a little rotting finger skin (yummy) and a newly-developed tendency to become ambidextrous, his hand is almost back to normal. Or so I hear - I haven't actually seen him yet, because I'm back at work.We don't have to talk about that.Anyhow, we're back home after a

Beckynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-53210159315702304832007-11-15T06:13:00.001-07:002008-12-13T02:58:34.351-07:00

We are just past one week into our grand adventure to Ontariariario. I would tell you all about the many adventures we've had, but three days of driving across the continent didn't amount to much blog fodder, and we've simply been catching up with family and friends here in Ontario. It has been wonderful to see people we haven't seen in almost a year and a half, not to mention the pleasure of

Beckynoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-50702533765258795972007-11-06T17:50:00.001-07:002008-12-13T02:58:34.749-07:00

Keith took Kai to the specialist this morning. Within 30 minutes Kai had a brand new green fiberglass cast on his arm. Bye bye fingers - see y'all in a few weeks!A couple people have asked for the story: one minute Kai and his two friends are heading outside to play on the trampoline, the next minute (maybe 5?) we hear yelling and screaming that doesn't sound at all like our kid. Keith and the

Beckynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-89170730876118953102007-11-05T20:23:00.000-07:002008-12-13T02:58:35.234-07:00

One Index FingerTwo fracturesThree hours at the doctor's officeFour years old with a broken boneTomorrow he goes to an orthopedic doctor to determine whether or not he needs to have a hard cast. (This one is just soft.)He is pretty proud of his stickers, too.

Beckynoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-9050581387902534982007-11-03T16:25:00.000-06:002008-12-13T02:58:36.748-07:00

A very wise man once recommended that puttering is good for the soul. I know today isn't actually our "Sabbath" (although it is for some people), Keith and I are both quite fond of twiddling away a day with this and that task around the home. Today has been a decent day for puttering, both inside and out:Jake got a new "shedding rake", and has since been relieved of a good deal of his lovely grey

Beckynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-82388591924463686582007-10-31T20:45:00.000-06:002008-12-13T02:58:37.733-07:00

Hallowe'en adventures have come and gone at our place... some highlights:Keep an eye on him - he's pretty fast...

Beckynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-78552948938099702402007-10-29T07:14:00.000-06:002008-12-13T02:58:39.347-07:00

On Saturday afternoon Kai and I went to a pumpkin patch with my good friend Anne and her two little guys. The weather in the morning had been gloomy and cool, but by late afternoon the sun had managed to push its way through the clouds and we had a delightful time selecting pumpkins, identifying farm animals, going for a hayride, and romping through mazes. This was our third annual visit to the

Beckynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-68359908186193399232007-10-28T19:37:00.000-06:002008-12-13T02:58:39.857-07:00

Beckynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-35556873525164913752007-10-26T18:07:00.000-06:002007-10-26T19:31:23.948-06:00

Kai: Knock knockMe: Who's there?Kai: Boris CuckooMe: Boris Cuckoo who?Kai: Boris Cuckoo you!...Gotta love kid humour. Sometimes things are funny just because they're nonsensical. Of course, I laughed, because I enjoy the nonsensical, especially when a 4-year-old comes up with it.A side note: Keith was right a week ago - I have bronchitis.

Beckynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-84256873670807104952007-10-22T11:25:00.000-06:002008-12-13T02:58:40.593-07:00

Beckynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-90292634536293328962007-10-19T17:55:00.000-06:002008-12-13T02:58:40.946-07:00

Okay... so some, um... including myself, may consider that an exaggeration, but in general it is not everyday that I get to listen to a talk given by a Nobel Laureate (no, not Gore this time), and then participate in a wine and cheese celebration to honour approximately 100 local scientists of the thousands of recent Nobel Prize recipients, one of whom is a good friend of mine. I had that

Beckynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-76205669273574750242007-10-16T16:40:00.000-06:002007-10-16T16:59:12.359-06:00

It is official: my voice is on vacation. What was an on-again/off-again raspy mess yesterday is today a rare throaty syllable bookended by apologetic whispers and enthusiastic gestures. It is good that I generally work alone, eh? I am mostly feeling alright, as per usual with my not-so-extensive laryngitis experience, I just can't talk. Alas. I just need my voice to return by next week because

Beckynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-17980635880789651632007-10-12T09:13:00.000-06:002008-12-13T02:58:41.270-07:00

Good job, Mr. Gore. A Nobel Peace Prize makes your other awards pale in comparison!Oh, and we shouldn't forget the IPCC. Congratulations to you, too. Keep up the great work!

Beckynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-59146961115689331012007-10-11T09:06:00.001-06:002008-12-13T02:58:41.450-07:00

I just read an article in the Toronto Star that makes me shake my head: Do trees spew 'contaminants'?. It's short, but I'll summarize anyhow: someone at Toronto's City Hall wrote a report stating that trees and vegetation are spewing contaminants, and someone else thought that sounded dumb, so the report is now getting a rewrite. Some other people asked for additional clarification, because

Beckynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-66339082168694766102007-10-10T12:31:00.000-06:002008-12-13T02:58:41.749-07:00

Our family got sick last night. Well, two of us. Around 5 AM we woke to the sound of "Daddy? Daddy! Dad!" I groggily took pleasure in the fact that Kai was calling for Keith, deciding that it was likely his turn anyway. The night before Kai had wandered into our room, and it wasn't until I returned from putting him back to bed that Keith woke up and asked if Kai had been up.I rolled over,

Beckynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-52895528206277622792007-10-08T18:48:00.000-06:002007-10-09T07:58:34.312-06:00

So my Thanksgiving resolution is to squeeze blogging time into otherwise potentially inactive times. Right now I'm camped out in the upstairs hallway, watching Kai pull all of his bath toys into the tub and feeling the damp heat of Jake's breath on my leg. (It's safe to assume that wherever I am when I'm home, he's within a 3-foot radius of me.) I don't have to sit here, mind you. I'm beyond the

Beckynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-21250618335091879392007-10-01T21:38:00.000-06:002008-12-13T02:58:44.897-07:00

I know. Another long silence... No excuses, just average busyness. My folks have been visiting, I've been traveling, and life has been trucking on. Blogging has taken a significant backseat - my Google Reader is jam-packed with over 300 blog entries, and I am seriously considering cutting out about two thirds of my feeds.Yesterday I spent the afternoon being very domestic. In addition to

Beckynoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-53297226285490487512007-09-19T22:25:00.000-06:002007-09-19T22:30:34.655-06:00

Right. So it's been a while. Thanks for pointing that out.I guess I just haven't had anything to say... at least not things that I've wanted to put in a public forum.But I swear. We'll be back. We're heading to Yellowstone this weekend, so I'm sure there will be fun things to discuss when I get back. Five people, four days, three hotels, two... I can't think of anything for two, and one LONG

Beckynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-8039893728602789892007-08-27T07:35:00.000-06:002007-08-27T07:36:44.875-06:00

Becky is home. Hooray.

Keithbeatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07014986114968054606noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-74372058084975220122007-08-20T09:50:00.000-06:002007-08-20T10:55:35.238-06:00

This past Wednesday I went under the knife to have a fatty mass removed from my neck. I asked the surgeon about a month ago if I it wasn't removed would it eventually look like a goiter - he said no. Nonetheless I decided to have it removed. The surgery went well, but how do I know, I was under general anesthesia. Thankfully I didn't have any side effects from being in lala land. My recovery

Keithbeatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07014986114968054606noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-30785637997475457572007-08-18T09:09:00.001-06:002008-12-13T02:58:45.448-07:00

I've settled into the groove of the island: work, relax, sleep; work, relax, sleep. Occasionally, on days like yesterday, our most recent hard down day, it is simplified to just: relax, sleep. I'm enjoying aspects like the local sunrise and the unbelievable sea of stars that fill up the night sky. I'm marvelling at the first shooting star that I've ever seen in the daytime, falling out at sea in

Beckynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-5315192859491184342007-08-16T02:00:00.000-06:002007-08-16T02:24:13.814-06:00

There is something to be said for dissociation and ignorance. And for a lack of internet connectivity. Don't get me wrong, I'm pleased as punch to be able to communicate with you via this ingenious medium that Al Gore designed, and even more pleased to be able to communicate with Keith via said medium, but I think there is something to be said for not knowing the perils of the outside world.Most

Beckynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-77163789044506813632007-08-12T22:22:00.000-06:002008-12-13T02:58:46.269-07:00

I'm having a low-key day today. It turns out that when you spend all day in the sun, snorkeling your little heart out, that even if you use a lot of SPF 30 waterproof sunblock, you can still get a mild burn and sun poisoning. I've never said I was infinitely wise.Thus, today I am in recovery mode. I'm feverish, nauseated, and have had absolutely no appetite all day. I did manage to drag myself

Beckynoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-85339471610986706512007-08-12T08:01:00.000-06:002007-08-12T08:30:02.014-06:00

Becky has been gone for a week and an half at this point and we have been very busy. We have been camping, I have been working during the day two days a week, Kai has been having play dates with friends from the rec centre and from church. Our big adventure so far occurred last friday.After finishing work at the rec centre last Friday afternoon Kai and I went on an overnight backpacking trip. We

Keithbeatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07014986114968054606noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-28520107729685781872007-08-09T02:34:00.000-06:002008-12-13T02:58:46.598-07:00

This is for Kai:Note that the green bottle in the foreground is my little miniature travel-size Fructus shampoo. Teeny. No more than an inch from nose to tail. Generally these wee guys have been so quick that our encounters are as follows:I walk into the bathroom.Sometime catches my eye from the corner.I stop.I focus into the corner, and realize that it's a little lizard.I twitch one of my

Beckynoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-17457264594823784752007-08-07T17:10:00.001-06:002008-12-13T02:58:47.713-07:00

So I've been here for three (three?) nights. See I can't even really remember, because the days really just blend together. We haven't flown yet, save for flying in, but we are supposed to have our first research flight will be tomorrow from 8 AM to 5 PM (local). They (the mighty powers that be) are going to save the 2 AM take-offs for the following week. In the meantime, the no-fly-day schedule

Beckynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-29785118984704603292007-08-06T10:33:00.000-06:002008-12-13T02:58:48.512-07:00

(This one is for you, Scott.)Even crabs have important things to do and places to go, and an assortment of crabs live here on the island. Here, for your perusal, I present "the crabs I saw yesterday".This little dude was on a serious mission.And these little guys are almost invisible. (Can you see him? If not, try clicking on the photo to get a full screen shot.) They flit around the beach, and

Beckynoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-87935939291597961162007-08-05T03:23:00.000-06:002008-12-13T02:58:49.333-07:00

Sunday, 11:25 PM.Good news! I've got an internet connection!And I'm in my very own room on a wireless connection, no less. You'd almost think this place was a five-star hotel!Oh wait - we stayed at a 5-star a couple nights ago in San Jose (the Marriot, of all places), and the internet cost an extra $12.95/night there.I'm not sure how many stars to give this place, but the food I had for dinner

Beckynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-76980196517199123442007-08-04T13:13:00.000-06:002008-12-13T02:58:49.950-07:00

Just stopping by for a minute to say hello and that I'm on my way south within the hour to fly to Christmas Island. I'm currently in Honolulu in a little airport lounge, drinking guava-passion fruit juice from a can and eating chocolate covered macadamia nuts.A little bit of luxury before science camp.Hope you're all well. I'm not sure how strong the bandwidth will be, or how reliable internet

Beckynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-87863932891147076622007-08-03T08:55:00.000-06:002008-12-13T02:58:51.415-07:00

Greetings from San Jose...That was supposed to be "from Honolulu", but we had to come back to San Jose yesterday. We took off Honolulu-bound in the morning from San Jose, climbed to 18000+ feet over the ocean, and couldn't get the plane to hold pressure. At 18000 feet, the air is almost half as thin as it is at sea level, and that's not exactly enough oxygen to feel good. So we returned to San

Beckynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-30984145993936374652007-08-02T16:42:00.000-06:002007-08-02T17:02:38.247-06:00

Tomorrow after I finish working at the local rec centre Kai and I will be heading out on a camping trip. My plan is to get to the trail head by 4pm, hike in about 2 kms, set up camp and do some exploring. We have taken Kai on a few car camping trips in the past but this will be his first backcountry experience. My idea is to pack as light as possible since I will have to carry everything. If

Keithbeatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07014986114968054606noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-857405421088476572007-07-31T14:23:00.000-06:002008-12-13T02:58:52.404-07:00

It's official. We received our clearance yesterday, had the last of three test flights this morning, and we're flying out tomorrow on our way to the South Pacific. I have to admit, as much as spending two extra days with my three boys was wonderful, it was good to be set free from the limbo of not knowing. I don't function very well with uncertainty - it almost paralyzes me. I came home yesterday

Beckynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-80423800174971590662007-07-28T15:22:00.000-06:002008-12-13T02:58:52.534-07:00

I alluded to a particular pending diplomatic clearance in my last post. It seems that the time has come and gone for a guaranteed Monday departure, so the decision has been made to delay our leave taking until Tuesday or later, depending on whether or not the research permit trickles down through the proper channels (Kiribati government in Tarawa to the Kiribati embassy in the U.S.; to the

Beckynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-26981821953483402962007-07-25T21:56:00.000-06:002008-12-13T02:58:52.909-07:00

Random things from today:Test Flight the Second was significantly less interesting than Test Flight the First. My channel didn't work at all: a shorted lens inside the pylon (on the outside of the plane) equaled an inability to even think about fixing it. Thus, I simply had a 5-hour long ride back and forth across Nebraska in the barfomatic plane.Yep. There were a lot of throw-ups today.

Beckynoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-27238527611197253982007-07-23T17:48:00.000-06:002008-12-13T02:58:53.676-07:00

As first test flights go, today's was pretty typical: some things hobbled along painfully, some parts didn't work at all. And there is now a lot of pressure to fix these parts tomorrow before the next test flight on Wednesday. All in all, a very normal outing.Complete with flat landscapes and far away rain showers. That's Superior there at the end. The community, that is, not the lake.I think my

Beckynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-16645673209802571072007-07-22T16:06:00.000-06:002008-12-13T02:58:54.920-07:00

What do you do when someone offers you a large patio furniture box? Why, you fashion it into a wee cottage. Naturally....complete with a house number (#4, of course, for the four-year-old), and a flower box full of flowers.To celebrate the completion of the cottage on yet another 95+°F day: a couple real fruit Splenda(TM)-sweetened popsicles.

Beckynoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-33497763382825128912007-07-15T14:09:00.001-06:002008-12-13T02:58:56.248-07:00

Keith's dear old friend Mark came for a visit this weekend. His band Enter the Haggis, a fantastic Celtic rock band, is here in Colorado playing at the Colorado Irish Festival. After chillin' with Mark on Friday night and all day yesterday, Keith and I had the privilege of hanging out with the band backstage at the festival before enjoying their show with a few hundred local Haggis Heads:James (

Beckynoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-424954718942219932007-07-12T18:25:00.000-06:002008-12-13T02:58:56.813-07:00

I am well aware of the fact that I am a guest in this lovely country that lies just to the south of my own. A happily employed, gratefully health-insured alien of a guest.Yeah, I'm officially an "alien". If you look up alien in the dictionary, the first entry (at least in the dotcom version) explains that alien is simply the opposite of citizen. Nevertheless, it still makes me giggle.But yes: a

Beckynoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-15141702654888492292007-07-10T20:28:00.000-06:002008-12-13T02:58:57.820-07:00

I fell into the Gap today. I think it was my first time in a Gap in what must be at least a year.* The last time I shopped at a Gap I don't remember thinking that I didn't belong there, but today I was immediately overwhelmed with a sense of anti-belonging. It was a strange fish-out-of-water syndrome. I think I used to blend in adequately, but it seems that they've changed their look, and I'm

Beckynoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-33331217960825882672007-07-07T10:24:00.000-06:002008-12-13T02:58:58.967-07:00

First, to Keith's parents: you may want to look away.Everyone else, check this out. (I'm not web-savvy enough yet to post a video right here. Maybe someday I'll take the time to work it out, but for now, this should work.)So there I am, watering the flowers in the backyard with Kai following me like a little shadow, and as I turn to water the second window box, I notice movement in the grass

Beckynoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-45329624835288442312007-07-05T11:56:00.000-06:002008-12-13T02:58:59.562-07:00

I have had a variety of hobbies in my lifetime, almost every one entails being outside. There really isn't an artistic bone in my body, those gifts were bestowed to my brothers. I don't know if it really means anything but almost all of the pictures of me from my childhood were taken outside. I have memories playing and tramping for hours through the old gravel pits in Cedar Springs, not wanting

Keithbeatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07014986114968054606noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-79158235598358876622007-07-04T12:12:00.001-06:002008-12-13T02:58:59.941-07:00

We're just chillin' today: doing some sewing, playing with our trains, and mowing the lawn. Happy 4-7 to all y'all!

Beckynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-11194552794129785062007-07-03T19:00:00.000-06:002008-12-13T02:59:00.807-07:00

We just received a lovely surprise in a package from Shannon. It is a little big, but that just means that there is plenty of room for the shoulder pads. Or for growing. Whichever comes first.I love the ensemble - it rained earlier, so the boots had already been fetched for some serious puddle-stomping.

Beckynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-9836428018718485082007-07-03T10:30:00.000-06:002008-12-13T02:59:01.186-07:00

Boulder has a reputation for being the People's Republic of Boulder so it isn't unusual for me to hear someone asking if I wouldn't mind trading citizenships. More often than not people can be heard saying, "He's not my President." It really makes me feel like I'm back home actually. The disturbing thing is that most of the Christians I have met voted for W - twice. (Insert question of your

Keithbeatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07014986114968054606noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-92397429020115212007-07-01T22:57:00.001-06:002008-12-13T02:59:03.830-07:00

I'm exhausted, but before I head off to bed, I just wanted to wish everyone a happy Canada Day! I hope your day was as enjoyable as ours. We hosted a barbecue, had a wonderful time with some of our American friends, and we even had our Canadian buddy Tim here to celebrate with us. Tim, I'm so glad we were able to hang out with you for the weekend - you are a joy to have around!Happy birthday to

Beckynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-736765650726043232007-06-30T20:24:00.001-06:002007-06-30T20:46:38.819-06:00

So here I am with a lot of peaches on my hands, thinking that I should make a couple peach pies for tomorrow's big barbecue. Nothing special, just peaches and crust, like my father-in-law makes.But most of the recipes online call for fresh peaches. Naturally. I can understand that.I decide to be more specific, and I google ["canned peaches" pie]. One of the hits is an allrecipes.com link, in

Beckynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-79251140889596338952007-06-28T17:39:00.000-06:002008-12-13T02:59:05.044-07:00

Surely it's Friday by now. This week has been far too long already for it to just be Thursday.No? Just Thursday?(sigh)Okay.So here's what I've been spending my time doing lately at work...Fun, eh?Yes - I swear I'm a chemist. I just do... other things too. But it's all in the name of chemistry. Honest.In other news, I hit a tumbleweed on the highway today. Ran right into it. Random tumbleweeds are

Beckynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-58117200100120529152007-06-25T21:11:00.000-06:002008-12-13T02:59:06.208-07:00

Once upon a time there was a girl. The girl had light brown hair, but it was boring and straight. One day the girl moved in next door to a boy. The boy had long eyelashes and a mass of black curly locks. The girl liked the boy, and the boy liked the girl. They decided to get married. A little while later the girl had a little boy. And the little boy had hardly any hair. And it was light brown,

Beckynoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-78361736486465939692007-06-23T17:27:00.000-06:002008-12-13T02:59:06.353-07:00

Yep. It was a birdhouse. Sorry for the delayed confirmation. The best part - Keith came home from work last Saturday night as Kai was being tucked into bed. About 15 minutes later, Kai came downstairs and said in a rather serious voice from the fourth step:"Dad. I have to warn you. I painted a birdhouse for you for Father's Day."The kid isn't terribly familiar with the concept of surprises.Phew.

Beckynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-3404068034970037212007-06-22T06:21:00.000-06:002008-12-13T02:59:06.647-07:00

So apparently, not only is my brother likely smarter than I am because he was born first, but by virtue of being born, I likely made him smarter than he would have been in my absence.It is nice that people spend their time studying things like this. One more reason to wonder whether or not we should have only one child.Cheers, JP. I always knew you were smart.

Beckynoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-43027836371239713002007-06-16T14:45:00.000-06:002008-12-13T02:59:07.684-07:00

(1 minute ago)Me: When you're finished watching your movie, we should make a card for your dad.Kai: Is today Father's Day?Me: No. Tomorrow.Kai: Is there a kids' day? One where you do nice things for your kid?Me: Um... no.(pause)Me: Well, maybe your birthday or Christmas... Or maybe everyday.We're back inside. The sky is rumbling and I'm expecting rain anytime now. Thankfully, it was beautiful

Beckynoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-49842641972040398252007-06-15T20:37:00.000-06:002007-06-15T21:25:35.072-06:00

Many of you have read the post Becky did about Vonage some time ago. Outside of the hell we have gone through with this company there is one benefit that is nice to have - there are really good rates to call certain countries outside of North America.Today I talked to my old friend Andy Given. I met Andy in Toronto years ago while he was doing his doctorate at the University of Toronto. He had

Keithbeatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07014986114968054606noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-33556086927674468622007-06-14T20:14:00.000-06:002007-06-14T20:35:23.566-06:00

I'm feeling a little like I'm neglecting you. After almost a week with no posts, I felt I should grace you with my presence once again. Do you feel graced?Don't answer that.The assembly line continueth. At last count I have completed 23 blocks. At some point I'm going to need to determine exactly how many I'll need in toto, but for now I'm just going to keep sewing sewing sewing.I think I've read

Beckynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-28213850452599007502007-06-08T20:32:00.001-06:002008-12-13T02:59:09.179-07:00

This afternoon I took a break from being a scientist and spent some time being domestic, piecing a quilt that I started a while back. Until today, I had done a bunch of cutting but had only pieced three blocks. I now have ten pieced blocks, and another partially-pieced block on my sewing table.I know it has been said before, but chain piecing rocks. Not only does it save thread (nice) and prevent

Beckynoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-58354439981956527182007-06-07T20:03:00.000-06:002007-06-07T20:41:58.443-06:00

Thanks to everyone who commented about me sending my kid to his room... I assure you, there are no rusty nails (well, maybe only one or two), and certainly no meat that I'm aware of, rotten or otherwise. I have actually considered putting a computer in Kai's room, only because he is the only person in the house who uses our old desktop, but I'm with you on the TV thing, Katie. I've never - not

Beckynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-91034893965823686152007-06-04T18:35:00.000-06:002007-06-04T18:48:24.808-06:00

When I was a kid, I remember thinking that the whole go-to-your-room punishment didn't make much sense. I mean, that's where I kept my toys. My room was a place to have fun, not a place to sulk and think about what I had done.But I think I get it now. Sometimes go-to-your-room is a parent's desperate plea, an excuse for sending a misbehaving and obviously-bored child somewhere else to give him a

Beckynoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-55485488677286432152007-06-03T20:12:00.000-06:002008-12-13T02:59:10.115-07:00

This afternoon an ideal Sunday afternoon. The weather was perfect: sunny, but not too hot. We played our newly constructed bola golf game. New plants were purchased and planted. The van was steam-cleaned. Two loaves of The Great Pumpkin were baked. Both lunch and dinner were consumed outside.What more could one ask for?

Beckynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-17716399905028333222007-05-30T11:51:00.000-06:002008-12-13T02:59:12.071-07:00

I'm back in the land of easily-accessible high-speed internet, taking a quick break during lunch to say that yes, indeed, I am still here.It's been a busy couple of weeks. I spent 7 days in Acapulco for a conference. Of course, I managed to squeeze in a little pool time. I also ate some yummy tacos al pastor and had some to-die-for azteca soupa. I walked on the beach, and waded up to my knees in

Beckynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-460611449966691052007-05-22T09:11:00.000-06:002008-12-13T02:59:12.937-07:00

On Saturday morning we went to the opening of a new Christian bookstore in Boulder. Becky and I kept the fact the Bob and Larry from Veggie Tales were going to be there a secret. It certainly was a surprise to Kai when they walked into the store. For the first ten minutes Kai essentially hid behind some shelves as the giant vegetable characters walked around the store. He finally warmed up to

Keithbeatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07014986114968054606noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-31594266938954426642007-05-18T09:10:00.000-06:002007-05-18T09:14:59.008-06:00

As a former devotee to over-the-border shopping trips, 4 years ago this would have had me dancing in the streets of Toronto:Canadian dollar surges to 30-year high at 91.58 cents in morning tradingNow? Um... not so much.sigh.

Beckynoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-25413417002123796032007-05-15T23:08:00.000-06:002007-05-16T16:05:37.381-06:00

In today’s headlines I saw a fun little story about the CBC encouraging Canadians to vote on the top 50 nominees for the “Seven Wonders of Canada”. I perused the options, and after some thought regarding what a wonder really is, I voted for the following: Bay of FundyNiagara FallsThe RockiesNorthern LightsCabot TrailRideau CanalCN Tower I should mention that I didn't look at

Beckynoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-55917947027449735092007-05-13T18:05:00.000-06:002008-12-13T02:59:13.481-07:00

Happy Mother's Day to my beautiful mom. Thanks for teaching me how to be a good mom.

Beckynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-22148265044024380432007-05-08T21:46:00.000-06:002008-12-13T02:59:13.758-07:00

At the end of the month, we will have been living in the US for two years. It's an occasion that will be marked by our 7th anniversary, celebrating memorial day, inviting some friends over for a backyard barbecue and perhaps even going on another 10K run (read: jog-walk).Since living here, I've been asked many times by our family and Canadian friends how we enjoy living in the US. My replies

Beckynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-85778886327529005132007-05-08T21:35:00.000-06:002008-12-13T02:59:13.869-07:00

i occasionally read the toronto star online and i really had a hard time believing this story when i first saw it the other day. the story is a sad commentary on the state of paranoia that seems to be running rampant amoung the citizens of the united states of america. it appears that a contractor thought that our quarters were implanted with a nanotechnology-type spy device.next time i cross the

Keithbeatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07014986114968054606noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-73492034820277163932007-05-07T19:33:00.000-06:002008-12-13T02:59:14.735-07:00

I'm just settling in for a relaxing Monday evening at home and I thought I ought to catch up with y'all (with the apostrophe inserted immediately after the y, as I've been instructed by trusted southernese experts.) I haven't been feeling too chatty lately, mostly because I just haven't had much to say. Maybe I've just been busy? My weekends have been feeling quite rushed of late. Kai had four 4-

Beckynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-32858854574776026642007-05-07T17:13:00.000-06:002008-12-13T02:59:14.853-07:00

hey dad are you sure you don't have those sweet plaid pants anymore? i sure could use a pair to match my new look.

Keithbeatshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07014986114968054606noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-49472022622360224032007-05-03T21:05:00.000-06:002008-12-13T02:59:15.737-07:00

Four is carrying your own pack.Four is walking in puddles, and watching the ripples intersect.Four is going down a slide face first.Four is learning to tell time. And taking your time to paint things just right.Four is my sweet, goofy boy. Happy birthday, Kai.

Beckynoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15365886.post-82232378838374684302007-04-30T15:20:00.000-06:002007-04-30T15:42:00.849-06:00

Warning: pointless ranting ensues below. If you're here for a feel-good anecdote about my sweet son's 4th birthday, umm.... read my next post. For those of you who like a good sarcasm-laden tongue-lashing, read on.For those of you keeping track, no, I've never actually written parts 1 through 6 here on our blog, but be assured they do exist. Part 6 deals primarily with the 3-hour ordeal I had

Beckynoreply@blogger.com3