Joy Ranch

       The bi-annual Bergh, my mother's maiden name. reunion is on at Joy Ranch 25 miles northwest of Watertown, SD. There must be almost 100 persons here. A contingent came from Seattle, a couple form FL., a couple from MI, many from Minnesota and south Dakota

    There are five surviving grandchildren of my Bergh grandparents, four of whom are here. I'm the youngest of the five. Four generations are represented. There's no drama and all happily relate to each other. Perhaps the harmony in enhanced by it being alcohol free. Joy Ranch is a great retreat center and has been the site of the last several reunions. Joanne and I sponsored the first one, perhaps thirty years ago and they've been held every two years since.

Takk for alt,

Al

This plaque is in my bedroom ar Joy Ranch.

Book Report

      

   Thanks to Peter and Sandy giving it to me, I read a book I would never have found. It was delightful, thanks! NORDIC TALES; FOLKTALES FROM, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Denmark, illustrated by Ulla Thynell is organized by Chronical Books. Interestingly no editor is credited.

   None of the tales were familiar to me. They are delightful reading and have similarities from country to country. Magic is common to them all. Trolls appear but are not as ubiquitous as I expected. Likely some of these stories were known to my grandparents, all of whom grew up in Norway. 

Takk for alt,

Al

Tree Picture!

       The tree picture below was taken at the very southern tip of South America. It was on Terri del Fuego, Argentina. L had been in the northernmost city of the world, Hammerfest, Norway, so in Argentina he wanted to visit the world's southernmost city, Ushuaia. From there we travelled south to the southern tip where the tree picture was taken. Obviously, there was prevailing wind to shape the tree, and it was blowing while we were there.

   We began our trip in Buenos Airies. From there we bused through Patagonia to El Calafate. After hiking a bit in the Andes, we continued by bus through Patagonia to Ushuaia. Only once on the trip, when I aksed the same question once too often did L say, "Welcome to elder hostel."

Takk for alt,

Al

We also visited a penguin colony is southern Argentia.

The Gift Of Rain!

      After breakfast. as I was reading the paper online, it darkened outside.  A rain shower moved in and blessed us with the gift of rain. We've had a couple of light showers, .2" or so. This was a bit more serious than that. My gauge, and the one downtown, both showed .7". That's not enough but certainly enough to do some good. It was gentle and very welcome.

   Perhaps it's time to do a reveal. No, baby is due, but a reveal of the picture below. MKV took it in, of all places, Iceland. When I saw it, I thought it so untypical of Iceland that no one would guess it, and no one did. Though I've not been to Iceland it certainly doesn't fit my image.   

    Now, does anyone want to guess where that windblown tree pictured a few days ago was taken?  No, not in South Dakota.

Takk for alt,

Al 

Perhaps If there had been sheep in the picture it would of been a helpful clue. MKV said she took the picture out her hotel window in,,,,,,,,,,,,,ICELAND!  😀

Neighbor to Neighbor

       Driving down a neighbor's field road to access my pasture to search for pocket gophers, I drove by his pasture. When his cattle saw me, they quickly moved to their empty water tank. When I returned, they were still there. There was large container of water on a trailer by the empty tank. Thinking to save the farmer the three-mile trip from his home, and relieve the thirsty cattle, I filled their tank from the container on the trailer.

   A couple of years ago the cattle in that pasture drank from a large slough. When that dried up the farmer dug a deep dugout to provide drinking water. Now that dugout is dry, so he needs to haul water to them.

   When the cattle had drunk and the tank was filled again, I texted the farmer to explain what I'd done, to save him a needless trip. His cattle were in my pasture until early July. The two pastures are only a couple of hundred yards apart. There's sufficient water in my pasture because there's large dam across a waterway.  To save him the necessity of hauling water I suggested he move the cattle back to my land. He's thinking about the offer.

Takk for alt,

Al

PS Also on my mind as I saw the cattle's thirst was the experience of another neighbor, whose pasture is separated by a fence from my land. He, too, hauls water to his cattle. Neglecting to keep them supplied, the cattle broke out of the fence unto my land looking for water. They did not cause as much of a problem as did his hired men driving trucks and four-wheelers through my grass to round up the cattle.

This is similar to the tank from which the cattle drank.

My Bad!

       The other reader pointed out that I didn't blog last night.  Sorry! I'm OK.

Takk for alt,

al

Alone again!

        Well not really because wonder dog, Odie, is here. Unusual as it is for me to have company I just hosted for a week. We laughed a lot, ate well (out), she tolerated my critique of her driving and generally enjoyed ourselves. Two creaky old folks who grew up together and still like each other in our dotage

    It's times like these that Odie's company keeps me from being lonely. Comfortable being alone Odie is a great companion. He proves himself anew every day.

Takk for alt,

Al

Still no winner on the photo contest.

Random photo of Santorini below, which I like.