Yesterday, in between the laundry, the cleaning, and the grocery shopping, I got all my files into Blogger with the exception of the pictures that still need to be uploaded. (I'll be posting this and the rest of my posts once I can get all my pictures uploaded.)
It was more-or-less at this point that I noticed I had made a thoroughly boneheaded move! I had offloaded some of the pictures I took on vacation to work on them on Dad's computer... I hadn't taken them back onto the card when I was done! Drat!
I suppose that when I get a chance I will have to send Dad a card, have him load the pix onto the card and send it back to me... I will not, I think, hold up posting for the receipt of those pix. As soon as I have the rest uploaded I will get caught-up on my posting.
Wherever you are today, I wish you a day free of the bonehead moves I seem to make with frightening regularity!
Don Bergquist - October 08, 2008 - Lakewood, Colorado, USA
08 October 2008
07 October 2008
Home Again, Home Again, Jiggety Jig
I dearly love my family and love the time I can spend with them, but it is so nice waking up in your own bed! Isn't it?
The drive was lovely! Saga was a complete angel. We started rolling right around two, the rain changed to a steady drizzle as soon as we left Douglas County and had all but quit by the time we reached Sioux Falls. The rest of the way through South Dakota it was overcast and cool, but as we crossed into Nebraska, the skies cleared, the temperatures rose and so did our spirits.
We made it back to the area around Denver after 12.5 hours of driving and spent the next ninety minutes trying to navigate the rush-hour traffic. This morning, having emptied the car, and unpacked, I think it is time for me to do some laundry, cleaning and chilling... I had already planned today as a vacation day (just in case - this time of year you can never tell what the roads will be like) so I am going to chill at home today.
Wherever you are today, I wish you a pleasant day!
Don Bergquist - October 07, 2008 - Lakewood, Colorado, USA
The drive was lovely! Saga was a complete angel. We started rolling right around two, the rain changed to a steady drizzle as soon as we left Douglas County and had all but quit by the time we reached Sioux Falls. The rest of the way through South Dakota it was overcast and cool, but as we crossed into Nebraska, the skies cleared, the temperatures rose and so did our spirits.
We made it back to the area around Denver after 12.5 hours of driving and spent the next ninety minutes trying to navigate the rush-hour traffic. This morning, having emptied the car, and unpacked, I think it is time for me to do some laundry, cleaning and chilling... I had already planned today as a vacation day (just in case - this time of year you can never tell what the roads will be like) so I am going to chill at home today.
Wherever you are today, I wish you a pleasant day!
Don Bergquist - October 07, 2008 - Lakewood, Colorado, USA
06 October 2008
When Will I Learn?
I should probably refrain from making plans... I should definitely refrain from making plans that I have made public! That is the surest way to make sure that they don't happen!
So, the plan had been to have brunch with everyone, head back, toss the last few things in the car and head west. Yeah... How'd that work out? About as could be expected. But it was a lovely morning.
We all commented on how we had gotten the best possible weather for the family gathering and then got the crap weather to follow-on. But it was cool! We had a nice swim and then went to Chip's favorite restaurant in Alex for brunch. Unfortunately, the line was such that we couldn't actually get a table so it was off to "Plan B". There is a wonderful steak house called "Whiskey Creek" that serves some really nice steaks... We got a table without any delay.
Afterward, I was feeling the need for a quick nap, Mary was feeling the need for a quick shop. So the guys all headed back here and the girls went off to the antiques shop. My quick nap lasted far longer than I had planned so I stayed the night.
It is now just after one and it is time for me to get going. I have to get back to Denver. It is still raining pretty good here, but the weather map looks like I should be out of it soon... I'm off to pack the car. More soon...
Wherever you are today, I hope the road rises to meet your feet and the wind is always at your back! Good travels!
Don Bergquist - October 06, 2008 - Kensington, Minnesota, USA
So, the plan had been to have brunch with everyone, head back, toss the last few things in the car and head west. Yeah... How'd that work out? About as could be expected. But it was a lovely morning.
We all commented on how we had gotten the best possible weather for the family gathering and then got the crap weather to follow-on. But it was cool! We had a nice swim and then went to Chip's favorite restaurant in Alex for brunch. Unfortunately, the line was such that we couldn't actually get a table so it was off to "Plan B". There is a wonderful steak house called "Whiskey Creek" that serves some really nice steaks... We got a table without any delay.
Afterward, I was feeling the need for a quick nap, Mary was feeling the need for a quick shop. So the guys all headed back here and the girls went off to the antiques shop. My quick nap lasted far longer than I had planned so I stayed the night.
It is now just after one and it is time for me to get going. I have to get back to Denver. It is still raining pretty good here, but the weather map looks like I should be out of it soon... I'm off to pack the car. More soon...
Wherever you are today, I hope the road rises to meet your feet and the wind is always at your back! Good travels!
Don Bergquist - October 06, 2008 - Kensington, Minnesota, USA
05 October 2008
The Grind
The weather this morning is a bit oppressive. Overcast, and raining. I awoke a bit ago to the sound of thunder. I don't have long to write because I have lots to do before leaving for home...What a wonderful day yesterday was! We could not have asked for any better weather for the horseradish grind. We had a big group. Some playing cards, some setting-out the lunch, some cleaning the roots, the rest of us peeling them and getting them ready for the grind.
We had to dig a few more roots, but then we all set to the tables and started in on the cleaning and scraping. As always, we spent the morning passing the buckets around, sharing stories, catching-up on the news, that sort of thing. Periodically, the bottle of Peppermint Schnapps would make it around the table. It is a great way to pass a beautiful weekend day; chatting, laughing, drinking with family and friends!
Charles (my baby brother) made it up late and joined us at the end of the process. Just in time for lunch. My Uncle Dick brought his outdoor fryer and made a mess of kettle chips (sliced by my food processor) and alligator (supplied by Mary). We had a huge feed... even my little cousins liked the gator!Afterward there were the obligatory card games, the stories of the old times, the photo sessions and the inevitable Minnesota Long Good Bye.
After the last of the guests had departed, I packed what I could into the trunk and headed into town with Charles and Eric (my nephew). Eric wanted to go swimming and his daddy was not feeling up to it so it was Unka Don to the rescue!This morning is going to be another busy one. It is Chip's birthday so we're all going into town. We're going to go swimming and then have brunch with Chip before each of us heading our separate ways. Charles, Eric, and Mary off to the cities, Saga and me off to the mountains.
Wherever you are today, I hope you are with the ones you love!
Don Bergquist - October 05, 2008 - Kensington, Minnesota, USA
04 October 2008
Diggin' It
Digging! It all starts with the digging!
Friday started with a nice, pleasant morning at ad and Flo's house, a few hands of cards, the chance to do a bit of writing, a little cleaning and then it was off to the family homestead in Parkers Prairie to meet up with my aunt and uncle to go dig horseradish roots.
After a pleasant visit while waiting for my cousin to join us, we headed off to the edge of one of the corn fields nearby. There were patches of horseradish growing along the margin of the field and after an hour-or-so of digging, we had a couple pails of roots to be cleaned and converted into prepared horseradish.
After that it was back to the farm to clean-up and get ready for dinner. We had dinner at the Parkers Prairie Volunteer Fire Department dinner. They had a Spaghetti Dinner as a fund raiser. It was really good sauce! After dinner, Mary and I stopped off at my uncle's car wash where I got the car cleaned... it really needed it! And then we stopped off at the cemetery to visit mom's grave on the way home.
Today, there is a bit of prep work to do and I have to run into town to get a few things before people start getting here to prepare the horseradish. Luckily, we had all those lovely Belgian waffles for breakfast! Yum!
But I am being told that I have a deadline. I will not get the chance to load this up to the Internet before i head out... I guess I will have to post it tonight.
Wherever you are today, I hope you're having a lovely day!
Don Bergquist - October 04, 2008 - Kensington, Minnesota, USA
Editor's Note:
I do not have the pictures with me for this posting... I'll update this posting when my dad forwards the pictures I left behind.
djb
Friday started with a nice, pleasant morning at ad and Flo's house, a few hands of cards, the chance to do a bit of writing, a little cleaning and then it was off to the family homestead in Parkers Prairie to meet up with my aunt and uncle to go dig horseradish roots.
After a pleasant visit while waiting for my cousin to join us, we headed off to the edge of one of the corn fields nearby. There were patches of horseradish growing along the margin of the field and after an hour-or-so of digging, we had a couple pails of roots to be cleaned and converted into prepared horseradish.
After that it was back to the farm to clean-up and get ready for dinner. We had dinner at the Parkers Prairie Volunteer Fire Department dinner. They had a Spaghetti Dinner as a fund raiser. It was really good sauce! After dinner, Mary and I stopped off at my uncle's car wash where I got the car cleaned... it really needed it! And then we stopped off at the cemetery to visit mom's grave on the way home.
Today, there is a bit of prep work to do and I have to run into town to get a few things before people start getting here to prepare the horseradish. Luckily, we had all those lovely Belgian waffles for breakfast! Yum!
But I am being told that I have a deadline. I will not get the chance to load this up to the Internet before i head out... I guess I will have to post it tonight.
Wherever you are today, I hope you're having a lovely day!
Don Bergquist - October 04, 2008 - Kensington, Minnesota, USA
Editor's Note:
I do not have the pictures with me for this posting... I'll update this posting when my dad forwards the pictures I left behind.
djb
03 October 2008
A Fine Fall Morning
Yesterday was a beautiful day and this morning has dawned bright and clear as well. After a leisurely breakfast and a few games of cribbiage, my sister, my folks, and I all headed out early for a drive in the country and a walk through the Runestone Park. My dad was on the park board for years and they have just recently expanded the parklands.Dad wanted to show us the new areas of the park. It was a lovely morning and the walk through the woods was quite enjoyable.
Later-on we drove up to Ottertail County. Here we visited Inspiration Peak; a glacial deposit hill about 400 feet above the surrounding terrain. At about 1,700 feet, it is the second highest point in Minnesota. It is a nice walk and a great view.
Today, we're off to the family homestead to dig horseradish.
Wherever you are today, I hope your day is lovely!
Don Bergquist - October 03, 2008 - Kensington, Minnesota, USA
02 October 2008
Family
Ah! I'm in the arms of family again!
What a pleasant way to spend the evening. Last night, after driving into town and getting my sister from the shuttle (it is about three-hours to the airport in Minneapolis), we sat around the dining room table chatting long into the night; catching-up on old-time stories and relating the newest news and highlights of recent times.
This morning, over creating a breakfast communally - everyone played a part in the chopping, slicing, sauteing, toasting, and serving-up ingredients. The Hunter's Eggs were delicious and the conversation was a continuation of the stories of old time and recent times from last night.
Today we're going up to the Runestone Park to take a walk and then who knows! We have no firm plans until tomorrow when we go to dig horseradish. Tomorrow night is the Parkers Prairie Fireman's dinner. All fun family activities! It's great being together again.
Wherever you are today, I hope you are with the ones you love!
Don Bergquist - October 02, 2008 - Kensington, Minnesota, USA
What a pleasant way to spend the evening. Last night, after driving into town and getting my sister from the shuttle (it is about three-hours to the airport in Minneapolis), we sat around the dining room table chatting long into the night; catching-up on old-time stories and relating the newest news and highlights of recent times.
This morning, over creating a breakfast communally - everyone played a part in the chopping, slicing, sauteing, toasting, and serving-up ingredients. The Hunter's Eggs were delicious and the conversation was a continuation of the stories of old time and recent times from last night.
Today we're going up to the Runestone Park to take a walk and then who knows! We have no firm plans until tomorrow when we go to dig horseradish. Tomorrow night is the Parkers Prairie Fireman's dinner. All fun family activities! It's great being together again.
Wherever you are today, I hope you are with the ones you love!
Don Bergquist - October 02, 2008 - Kensington, Minnesota, USA
01 October 2008
Constant In A Changing World
It seems that here in Central Minnesota, things stay the same no matter what is changing around them.
There is still farming going on wherever you look, the tools may change, but the talk in the local diners remains the same; crop yield, seed selection, planting methods, the like. The names may change over the years but there is still the annual fireman's dinner, the pancake breakfasts, the fall festivals, all the trappings; the sights and sounds of small town life.
The pace is relaxed, the atmosphere is friendly. For someone not accustomed to this (or at least familiar with it) it can be a bit off-putting. Everybody wants to chat... "Where are you from? - Are you the third of the fourth child? - How long has it been since you've been here?" It is a bit like a job interview or a first date.
And that's just in a casual encounter setting. Get into a social setting - like the Tuesday Night Whist Club - and the questioning can become downright personal! But the thing is that there is absolutely no offense intended. This is small town social! They want to know what you are and who you are. It really is nice!
So, last night, I went to the Whist club with my parents and true to form, had fun playing cards, and chatting with the locals. Unlike every other time, however, I didn't come in dead last! Nope! Due to one lucky hand in the seventh round (and a good partner for a couple of the rounds) I scored a whopping (and this is said with sarcasm) thirty-one points! The high score for the night was in the high sixties. The low score: twenty seven! I came in second to the bottom. Damn... I should have come in last - as usual - I was robbed!
Wherever you are today, I hope that you're in nice, friendly surroundings!
Don Bergquist - October 01, 2008 - Kensington, Minnesota, USA
There is still farming going on wherever you look, the tools may change, but the talk in the local diners remains the same; crop yield, seed selection, planting methods, the like. The names may change over the years but there is still the annual fireman's dinner, the pancake breakfasts, the fall festivals, all the trappings; the sights and sounds of small town life.
The pace is relaxed, the atmosphere is friendly. For someone not accustomed to this (or at least familiar with it) it can be a bit off-putting. Everybody wants to chat... "Where are you from? - Are you the third of the fourth child? - How long has it been since you've been here?" It is a bit like a job interview or a first date.
And that's just in a casual encounter setting. Get into a social setting - like the Tuesday Night Whist Club - and the questioning can become downright personal! But the thing is that there is absolutely no offense intended. This is small town social! They want to know what you are and who you are. It really is nice!
So, last night, I went to the Whist club with my parents and true to form, had fun playing cards, and chatting with the locals. Unlike every other time, however, I didn't come in dead last! Nope! Due to one lucky hand in the seventh round (and a good partner for a couple of the rounds) I scored a whopping (and this is said with sarcasm) thirty-one points! The high score for the night was in the high sixties. The low score: twenty seven! I came in second to the bottom. Damn... I should have come in last - as usual - I was robbed!
Wherever you are today, I hope that you're in nice, friendly surroundings!
Don Bergquist - October 01, 2008 - Kensington, Minnesota, USA
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