The weekend after Greg’s birthday he went up to our property to put some steel into the structure of the sawmill covering and go hiking with a friend. Before hiking they were going to install the steel pieces. Greg had brought up a big drill he hadn’t used before. The pieces of steel he was installing were directly up above him. He was looking straight up with the drill in front of him. While drilling, his beard was pointed directly at the drill and got sucked up into it. He was able to stop it right when the drill sucked up to his chin.

Instead of asking his friend for help, he thought if he put it in reverse he could get his beard out. So without seeing he pushed the button for reverse and then hit the trigger. Sadly, he didn’t quit have it in reverse and it ripped his beard off his face!!

He thought he’d ripped the skin along with the hair. He got down and asked his friend if he still had any skin left. He said it stung but luckily it was really cold out so the cool air helped.

He picked his hair out of the drill and threw it in the fire, saying some words for it, ha!

Then him and his friend just went on, still went on their hike.

When he got home I could not believe it! I kept asking him what happened and he finally told me. I couldn’t believe it. Honestly, he looked crazy. I couldn’t stop laughing. I told him I know he was sad and I’m sure it hurt like hell but it was just so shocking and ridiculous looking I couldn’t help myself but laugh. He had long pieces still hanging on in patches. He did have some small amounts of blood.

He decided to just shave it all off and start over. He did keep his burns and mustache though. He was very pouty about it for weeks.

Over the next week he said he felt like a zoo animal. Nobody he works with, our kids, their friends had seen him without a beard ever. It took some getting used to. It was so strange.

It did start to grow back, it was a bit patchy so when it got a bit longer again he trimmed it down so it’s all one length. He plans to grow it back out – sadly. I love the shorter beard.

I felt like he needed a cowboy hat with his new look so I made him put this on. You can see he was thrilled, ha!