R.C. Beaird's Blog

Randy Bamboo, Volume 2

Here’s Volume 2!  The paperback will be available after we reach 64. Written by RC Beaird, Illustrated by Borislav Grabovic. (These aren’t numbered yet.) Volume 1 is just below this group of 31.





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Randy Bamboo, Volume 1

Here’s my first comic book, Randy Bamboo, Volume 1, Written by RC Beaird, Illustrated by Borislav Grabovic. (The paperback is at https://www.amazon.com/Randy-Bamboo-1-RC-Beaird/dp/197768579X .)

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Randy Bamboo (comic book being put together!)

My first comic book is being put together! Below is the first 10 (book will contain 64). Please let me know which is your favorite. The illustrator is the talented Borislav Gravovic.

Educational jingles/videos…a hobby of mine

I enjoy writing educational jingles and cartoons.  I have them posted at http://yourhouseofeducation.com  and http://yourhouseofeducation.com/component/content/article/2-uncategorised/19-reading-songs.html

I also started writing a children’s book series and the first two are available at

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1514183625

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1515140121

Originally the main character’s name was Jason, but in the process of trying to think of a title for the series I decided Randy Bamboo was hard to beat. So the main character ends up with the nickname “Randy Bamboo” after he brings some bamboo pens to school.

Book Review Policy

I review Children’s, Middle School, YA, non-fiction, anything that I can use short excerpts from (with permission) to make short educational questions. I write Reading lessons/exams.  I’m going to start posting my reviews on this blog, amazon, etc., though if it’s less than 4, I’ll share with author with suggestions.

Launched my lessons website

by Randall Beaird

I have put some of my lessons and stories (with comprehension questions) on http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Randy-Bamboo

My free ones include my most popular story/cartoon, ”Your House of Education.”  It’s a powerful story on why school is so important (with 20 comprehension questions). It answers that simple, yet profound question, “Where will you live?” (You are building it now.)

It has also been been made into a captivating cartoon with original music/lyrics added at http://www.yourhouseofeducation.com (or by a search on youtube of the same name). Counselors and teachers around the world are having their students read/watch this inspirational story. Here’s a few of the comments…..

“WOW ~ brilliant!! I love the educational video!!

“I loved it so much I took the liberty of sharing it on Busy Bee English Teachers. I hope you don’t mind. Thank you so much!”

“I really enjoyed the cartoon. It is so creative and tells such a wonderful story.”

“That was oustanding! I will share it with my kids and my middle school students. Congratulations!”

“Kids of all ages should take the time to watch your great story!! This might wake some of them up, before it is too late!”

“The video is wonderful and very educational.”

“I liked it very much. It has a great story line and is really cute. Great Job!”

“What a powerful message! You have every right to be very proud.”

Another free story, with comprehension questions, is about my humorous 5th grade Valentine’s Day Party.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And lastly, a free set of “Context Clues” Task Cards for 5th/6th grades at

Scotty Beaird Road

by Randall Beaird

Scotty Beaird — 1952

My father is buried close to Scotty Beaird Road out in Moffett, Texas.  Scotty was my father’s cousin, my second cousin, and is buried not far from my father.

As is usually the case, Scotty once lived on Scotty Beaird Road, and it gained his name while he was still living–quite an honor.  The only problem is they misspelled his name, and left out the “i” on all the street signs, spelling it “Beard.”

I thought that was a tragedy, to name a road after someone and then misspell his name.  I called the highway department.  They were shocked it happened, but the red tape and recent budget cuts at the time made it seem nothing would be done anytime soon.

So with clipboard in hand I put on my walking shoes.  I hiked up and down Scotty Beaird Road, knocking on every door.  My speech was simple, “Scotty Beaird was my father’s cousin.  They named this road after him in his honor, and they misspelled his name on all the street signs–yeah, they left out the “i.”

Most everyone agreed something should be done, and signed my petition to have it corrected.  There was only one person, out of about thirty houses, that dug in their heels….was worried about getting their mail and the “address change” hassles.  ”Sorry, I’m not going to do it,” as the door clicked shut.  But, a few houses before that one, is the one I never will forget.

The front door wasn’t easily accessible, so I ventured around back.  A huge dog roared to attention, out of nowhere.  About the time I thought I was a dead man, I saw the chain–he was chained, but every muscle was straining to break it.

I was determined to reach that back door, not to let Scotty down.  I thought if that dog breaks that chain, there will be no retreat.  No one was home, but the chain held, and I should have thanked God, but I thanked Scotty, my great cousin Scotty, as I quickly walked to the next house.

I took all my signatures to the next County Commissioner meeting–they let me speak.  I had my speech memorized of course, the same speech I gave all the nice people on Scotty Beaird Road.  But, this time I could hardly get through it–my voice cracking with emotion.  I remember lots of heads nodding in agreement, that it just wasn’t right, that it was just wrong……and it worked!  Scotty Beaird can look down in peace, as that one big dog, waits for one more chance, one more jerk at the chain, to get that little cousin.

(Scotty and his wife Burnice never had children.  Scotty was known for being an artist and very kind. He was an Eagle Scout and Scout Master for many years.  He was also a Sunday School teacher, and put the Gideon bible in many rooms.)

Jason Beaird, an amazing brother

by Randall Beaird

I enjoy writing lyrics.  Lucky for me, I have my brother Jason, an incredible musician, who comes up with great melodies and sings them in a matter of minutes.  Most of the songs you’ll see at http://www.showcaseyourmusic.com/shawneegrove Jason is singing, and he recorded on his phone within twenty minutes of seeing my lyrics (usually at family vacations).

I also enjoy writing educational cartoons, and Jason is the narrator/singer for the most popular one, “Your House of Education” at http://yourhouseofeducation.com/   This cartoon talks about why education is so important.

One night we all went down to watch Jason sing for tips on a street corner.   “Frozen” was his most popular song.  Children of all ages would freeze in their tracks when he broke that one out, and ask parents for dollars to drop in his guitar case.  It is something I never will forget.

Here’s a picture of Jason and I fishing at Rollover Pass around 1973.

 

Reba gives birth to 10 puppies

by Randall Beaird

Reba (left) Nemo (right)

Nemo woke me up early yesterday morning, barking by my window.  I could tell he was excited about something, and had a good idea.  I made my way out to the shed next to the old chicken house, and,  sure enough, Reba had 10 puppies by her side.  I laid straw in about three different areas in the sheds two sections, and Reba chose to give birth under the old twin bed frame.  Yes, there was actually an old iron box spring mattress in this shed for one of the chicken house workers to sleep on, with a propane outlet added to keep warm in the winter.  In my farm’s heyday, there were eight 300 foot long chicken houses.  Nemo is the proud father, but Reba let him know to keep his distance. Today she let him lick them, but not very long.

I was at the vet today having their dewclaws removed and met a nice older gentleman.  He was probably at least 80, and was there for his chihuahuas’ nails to be trimmed.  He said it was his wife’s dog but she passed two years ago, and the little rascal took to him pretty good.  He also said he was going to ask the vet to trim his toenails because they were terribly long and he couldn’t reach them anymore.  I thought he was kidding, but after seeing him walk and him bringing it up again I knew he was having trouble.  So I told him I would take care of them outside on the porch if he had any clippers.  Of course he didn’t and I wish now I went to the dollar store and bought a pair.

16 days old–June 6, 2014

 

 

 

A few slabs of wood

by Randall Beaird

I’ve been building a few slab benches.  They are all joined with dowel pins and glue, no screws.  Two have three coats of shellac and four have two coats of spar polyurethane.  My next batch will have the traditional 4 legs, though these are sturdy/stable. In my shop, my workhorse is this JET JJP-12 12-Inch Jointer Planer

 

 

If the slab is wider than 12″, I use my Makita KP0810 7.5 Amp 3-1/4-Inch Planer

and my Makita 9903 8.8 Amp 3-Inch-by-21-Inch Variable Speed Belt Sander

 

 

 

 

 








All six together….