Batteries Included....

The day started out taking the girls to school – it was Crazy Hair Day so both had barrettes clipped all over their hair. Crazy but cute… Day before they had to dress for school pictures. My granddaughter said, “Why did they do the activities following each other?”

I stopped at the store to buy ingredients for pickled eggs and batteries. On the bottom shelf were packages of 50 for 13.47 – half the price per battery as the 10-package. I bought both AA and AAA sizes; the first ones went in the camera; the second ones that went into a portable light bulb you can put in out of the way places….
All these remotes, cameras, lights and so forth require them. I picked up a package with 10 of them for 5.47 and was looking for other options. What about rechargeable ones?

The best thing I have found is a battery operated charger for an iPod if you are on the road or away from an outlet. Ours was about $20.00 at a local drug store, but well worth it. It doesn’t have a brand name, says turbo charge, but it is just a small flashlight/charger and it plugs into your iPod. Runs on AA or AAA batteries. There is a portable Eveready Charger for $25.00 on the Internet but it takes expensive batteries. Amazon.com is running specials on Apple iPod chargers for .36; 3G 3-in-1 USB Data and Charging Kit - Retractable USB Cable + USB Home / Wall / Travel Charger + USB Car / Auto Charger - .49. It all depends on the kind of iPod you own….

The day ended at a Fun-filled “Home Invasion” party that Cathy’s co-worker won on a radio station. Lightning streaked across the sky; luckily, the rain stopped just in time.
95.7 Radio DJs and a live band – Sunset Strip and appearance of the “Natty Light Girls”.

Jade and Chloe had not experienced a buffet before, and they told their mother they ate chips and cookies. Really, we did include sandwiches with ham, roast beef, and cheese; fruits i.e. melons, grapes, strawberries, vegetables with dip, desserts….
“The drummer gave them a pair of drumsticks” – not the edible kind! Chloe won a cap and kept her prizes close to her all night. Great time - dancing, socializing; the band was playing – “Rock on”…

Click on title for Porpoises Follow Sounds about all the modern technology...

Osher Fall 2010 Events -$30.00 a year membership

Dinner and Movie: 08/17/2010

4:00 PM—Tour: Downtown Farmer’s Market, led by Market director Kim Angeli-Selin, Historic Pioneer Park, 300 S 300 W, SLC

5:00 PM—Dinner: Caputo’s Deli, $9—$15, 314 W 300 S, SLC

7:00 PM—Movie: Fresh, 2009, Documentary (72 min), Free, Downtown Salt Lake Library Auditorium, 210 E 400 S

Fort Douglas Walking Tour
Osher instructor Ephriam Dickson will lead a tour of the historic buildings and military cemetery on campus. He is the curator of the Fort Douglas museum and an historian with special interest in Native Americans. Come ready to walk and learn about our beautiful Fort Douglas. 9/14/2010

On the Road Again - Reunions

Several years later, the Bergan family had our first immediate family reunion in August 1962 – 48 years ago. My oldest daughter, Marilyn who was born in Glasgow, Montana was a year old. I rode a bus from SLC, UT to Scotts Bluff, Nebraska with her and all her accessories. Met my Dad and Mom with my youngest brother, his fiancé; all of them came from Saco, Montana in a new to them - Chevy Corvair. Drove to Bartlesville, Oklahoma in 100+ heat… Spent most of the time indoors because of the heat. On the way home, my suitcase gave way from all the diapers, and I tied a rope around it. “Classy”...

Four generations – daughter, Cathy, granddaughter, Chenille, great granddaughter, Chloe, and I live together. My oldest daughter, Marilyn and her husband live in Chattanooga, Tenn. (This is an excellent place for a family reunion – email their Visitors’ Bureau for information.) Most of the family lives in Penn. On Labor Day, 2008, I had 18 members of my immediate family at my son-in-law’s family reunion in Morris Run, PA. Set up in a big open space by a cousin’s house. Had horseshoes set up – trampoline and games for the children. Music and singing - potluck with favorite recipes and BBQ’d chicken on the grill – “Lots of it.”
“There is always a lot of laughter, music, cards; riding on pontoon boats and fishing in Minnesota.” The champion fisherman was my 5-year old grand nephew. At my brother’s home in Washington, our mother and middle brother hosted an Italian dinner with “Mama Mia and Luigi”. We borrowed a motor home when in Minnesota and went to sightsee in Montreal, Canada – historic Hudson Bay Trading Post...

My extended family is now two brothers and wives, two sister-in-laws, two aunts on my mother’s side of the family. I went home for my 50th class reunion in May 2009. I also went to my Grandparents Stuff’s farm where I was born 68 years ago. I stood in the same spot mirroring a picture of my mother sitting by the fireplace when she was expecting me. I followed in my mother’s footsteps, as I climbed the stairs to my mother’s bedroom and looked out the broken window as my mother did before me.
“On the road again..”

Click on title for Live presentation of "You are Never too Old to Learn" which was broadcast on KUER and 2010 Silver Pen Essay, "Do You have a Road Map?"

"On the Road Again" / Country Living

"On the Road Again"…. Been on the road most of the day it seems. Day started with picking up the girls for school; Mom has to be to work at 9:00 and school starts at the same time. Time for a cup of coffee, as they finish getting ready. Luckily I am retired and fill in wherever needed.

Next, it was off to a writing class for ages 60 and older to enter Silver Pen Essays. This is my third year that I have participated. This year it is "Then and Now" – What are your dreams? How your life has changed? – Technology, i.e. electronics, cooking, movies. How is life different than it was 20 or 30 years ago?
I will have a second class next week that is beneficial before submitting the essay. Check your Community colleges for a schedule of writing workshops, classes and activities…

Came home and had an iced tea plus chicken and lettuce salad with Valdalia Onion dressing; if you haven’t tried that dressing, it is delicious… Dropped off some papers for a family member and went to the feed store for pigeon food.
Yes, you read right – pigeons. We now have pigeons on our farm; some are tumblers and perform acrobatic shows. Quite unique… There are also some new animals – the two mules and two horses are now guests on our farm. My daughter asked the owner if we could open the field to them and he said, "Yes." The field was overgrown with grass and weeds, and they are excellent "lawn mowers." The kids love them, and the families will go to the farm tomorrow. My daughter asks the young mule to smile, and she opens her mouth like she is laughing.

Children go to year-round school in our district; keeping up with the schedule is interesting. The current year started in July, and three are in school all day. Picked up the girls at school, and they were anxious to visit our puppy who had a trip to the vet. Been cooler all day showers off and on, our summer days are coming to an end… Was a busy day, but a good day!