Day 50 February 19

Stories. Since Ken was little he has had favorite stuffed animals, and while each has a special story, none are more special than Beaver. Beaver is the oldest of the stuffed animals. His fur is worn down to a soft mat and bald spots now peak through what was once soft, brown thick fur. His eyesight has been dimmed from being kept too close to the fireplace at times. "Beave," as he is known, has traveled the world, which is quite an accomplishment considering that we first became acquainted with him in one of those glass enclosed gaming machines--the kind where you put your quarters in and maneuver a big claw around to try and snag a toy. But we can't take credit for grabbing Beave. We were having dinner one night in a restaurant/bar, the only place to get a bite to eat in Dayton, Washington at night. Some loggers, with too many coins and too many drinks, perhaps using their heavy equipment skills, managed to rescue Beave from his glass cage, along with a whole passel of other animals. Kenny was just a few months old, and the loggers generously heaped all of their animal winnings on him and Mari. Beave, who is really a puppet, has stayed close by since then. Not a night goes by that he doesn't keep close to the boy who has loved him all these years.