Friday, October 17, 2008

Don't Feed the Bears!

Last year Howard, Matt and Nick cut down a tree in our yard that was a true hazard. I have no idea how tall it was, but when they cut the first part of the tree down it reached to the fence line in the backyard. It was a messy tree, dropped nasty seeds and just yucky, basically served no purpose except for the firewood we are burning now. (see post below to get a glance of the firewood stacked up)

I was glad to see it go, as were our neighbors....except for the part of some "minor" damage to their roof in the process of cutting. A great friend Mike came to the rescue when we realized that we weren't going to be able to safely remove the rest of the tree without taking out the neighbors house. Thanks Mike!!!! By the middle of December all we had left was a 10 foot "stump" that Howie said he would take care of in the Spring.

I argued with Howie to let me do something fun with the stump instead of him cutting it down....in all his spare time. I felt that his time would be utilized better repairing or building a bathroom....that's a story for another time. Suffice it to say that it's been a year on January 1st since we've had a second bathroom.

Anyway, back to the story...Howie is practical, I'm not. I wanted a bear carving, he did not. So the "stump" sat all summer. On a few occasions we would have people come over for a barbecue in the back yard and they would comment on how cute it would be to have a bear carving. Hmmm....I'm not the only one with cute ideas. After about the 4th person mentioned this he started thinking that maybe I should do something cute with the "stump".

So.....I didn't waste time. Searching and asking around I found a bear carver. Meet Barry Topham! He turned my "stump" into the cutest bear I've ever had in my backyard. I can step out the back door and here's this bear mischievously getting into a beehive. What a cute personality!



From different angles the bear has a different look...he's naughty and it makes me laugh.



Anyway, I think I'm going to have fun with the bear, but he needs a name. I need your help in naming him. He's about 10 feet tall and he's getting into the beehive. He looks totally innocent, but you can tell he's not. Matt is kind of a mischievous name, but it's already being used....

Help me name this little creature! I recommend putting your curser right on the picture so you can get a close-up view of how cute this bear is!

15 comments:

Hilary said...

He's so cute!! And I love the hive! We'll have to have another Bee themed dinner in your backyard now!!

The Salisbury's said...

Hey Tauna! Just thought I'd stop by and say hi. For some reason the name Woody is all that comes to mind. Maybe a little too predictable but knotty (pun intended). Miss you guys!
Tia

Becca's Creative Jewelry Design said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
The Idaho Shaum's said...

Tauna love that bear I am going to have to come see it live. Man as for a name the only thing that came to mind was south paw.

JoAnn said...

Oh my goodness! Leave it to you to have the coolest thing EVER in your backyard. Borrowing from Tia's thoughts -- I'm thinking "Knotty Bear" -- total pun intended! -- :0) JoAnn

JoAnn said...

Okay "Tammy" ;) -- Barry Manilow happens to be my favorite. And on Wikipedia it says that anyone with a keen sense of self-actualization is a "fanilow". Please quit laughing. Wikipedia knows all. Ask me sometime about my experience of meeting B.M. backstage after a concert. Okay -- I'll quit bragging... I'm sure you're jealous. Signed, Your fanilow friend, "Julie"

Jeppesens said...

I love the new lawn buddy. Rebecca stole my idea. I like henry or maybe Herbert. Then you could call him charly or something classic like that. I will have to bring my girls over to see it. They would love it!! Hope your neighbors roof is okay :)

Kirsten said...

I'm not creative enough to think of any cute names but the only one that comes to mind is Barry. Stinkin cute bear though! The beehive is a great addition!

Matt said...

I guess Dad was out of town... :-)

anyway Woody gets my vote.

-Matt

Tara said...

Wow! That is so cute! Great idea...I wouldn't have thought of it. How long did it take hime to carve it?

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

Yes, Matt....dad was out of town! You are a pill you know.

Tara, he had it done in about 8 hours. I was at work and it was done when I got home. I kinda wanted to see it done, but he was too fast.

Dad like the name Elmer or Elmo....cause it was an Elm tree.

g.suzie said...

Tauna, sounds like you have some great ideas for names for your bear carving. And of course every 'Garden of Egan' needs a honey bear on the premises. You clever girl!!!

Becca's Creative Jewelry Design said...

Okay Tauna, when you get this different comment you will see that I still love Henry for my pick of the bears name. But I had to delete my last comment because Michaela laughed at me when I spelled cutest as (CUTTEST) trust one of your children to point out your flaws and then laugh at you.

EmHy said...

Hey Tauna, I found your link from Kirstin's blog. I vote for Brandon the Bear, we have a Brandon and he is very innocent looking but oh so mischievious. How are you and your family anyway?
Emi Flamm

Jessica F said...

Tauna,

Cute bear!I cant believe you found someone who does that, thats awesome! You should name him Yogi the bear, or he could be boo boo the side kick. Anyway, hope you are doing well:)

Jessica