FAMILY UPDATE
by Richard Johnson

Hi All from Richard, Mia, Wiley, and Arbor

Somehow Mia Nelson, became Mia Hanson in The Bulletin. Hanson or Nelson is pretty much the same unless you are one, I guess, but since she’s always been a Nelson up to now, we may as well not make it any more confusing, since my name is Johnson, our son Wiley’s name is Nelson, and our son Arbor’s name is Johnson, and I’m the dad of both of them and Mia is the mother of both of them.

If we kept this up any more we could have a mess like we had Saturday when one of the goats ate three quarters of the sheet of paper that we had used to mark all the birth information and tag numbers for our entire herd of goats while we were in the process of vaccinating the kids (not Wiley and Arbor). Mia and the boys did a pretty good job of recreating the most important parts from memory, or at least we hope so.

Mia & twins Goat Ferry
Mia with twin kids & all of us ferrying a reluctant mama goat to the pickup.

Editor's Note: It takes desperate measures to get a rise from the public -- just change their name on them and see what happens! :-) Sorry about that! Great to hear from you and I did enjoy your account -- and update on your kids (oops, people or goats -- it's all interesting!). Will a public apology and correction be sufficient?

Dorothy

Richard's Response: No apology needed. We just thought it was funny. Most of the time around here it's me that gets to be "Richard Nelson," because Mia is more well known in the community than I am. Most people assume that I must be a Nelson, if she is. Mia’s dad, Roy Nelson, lives next door and works with us. Sometimes people think she’s married to Roy and I must be her dad. Maybe if I borrowed some of Wiley’s hair dye it would become more clear who’s who.

Richard


FAMILY UPDATE
by Patty Henderson

I've been very remiss in writing. We're embarking on a new journey, a new chapter is unfolding for us. As all know that have read previous Bulletins, our oldest son, Ben, is to be married on Nov. 26 to a wonderful girl, Heather Overby. Dan has announced that he is going to marry his "bestest" friend, Gina Edwards, in March 2005. Curt and I feel so fortunate to have two wonderful new daughters!

Our other news is that we're moving. All our lawn mowers are leaving, so we are, too!! We are going to be building a home in St. Bonifacious. Our closing on this house is June 1st and our new home won't be ready until October, so we have found a "temporary dwelling" in Norwood. Rachel will finish her Senior year at Glencoe. She will commute. It's a 10 mile trip from Norwood and 27 from St. Boni so that doesn't seem to bother her.

Rachel is doing junior year search for colleges ... she's entertaining the idea of Fargo, imagine that! We're looking forward to a little visit from Mom and Dad (maybe we'll even get a ride in the new car!)

Keep up the great work on The Bulletin!

Patty Dee

STUDENT UPDATE
by Melanie Shockey
(Dwight and Janie Anderson's daughter)

Hello! Yes, graduation is right around the corner -- May 15 for us! Eric will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and I will earn a Bachelor of Accountancy [from the University of North Dakota at Grand Forks].

Eric has been busy searching for jobs these last few months... He currently has an offer from a company in Hutchinson. He has an interview tomorrow with 3M. So within the next couple of weeks, we should know where we'll be heading next! Then I'll start looking for a job.

We enjoyed our summer weather in the 80's the last couple of days, but it looks like we're back to winter/spring with temps in the 40's today. We've had enough cold temps this winter -- we're looking forward to summer!

Hope all is well with you. Thank you for your hard work on the interesting & informative Bulletins -- keep 'em coming!

Love,

Melanie


UPDATE
by Don Anderson, Jr.

An old car gets new owners, and a new lease on life. Eric's mechanic (Nathan) seems to think the old Buick has a few more miles in her, and Eric & Leona are very pleased with their new ride. Eric is excited that this is the first car he's ever had that has had working A.C.! So the only loose end is to get rid of Eric's old Blazer that now resides in my woods.

Eric & Leona's new wheels
Eric & Leona with the Buick -- their new wheels

FOR SALE.......1991 Chev S-10 Blazer 2dr, at, ps, pb, kind of a red color.
Used sparingly, only driven between my place and the repair shop.
$999 or any offer -- Eric Anderson 763-503-5407


Working For The Boss
By Beaver

In my hometown, one of the rites of passage for a young man is to work for the local co-op. I  served my time there in my early twenties, getting a different sort of education than I would have received if I had stayed in college.

When I hired on at the co-op as a mechanic's flunky in the farm equipment repair shop, I was told I would get $1.75 an hour. The hourly rate on my first paycheck was $1.65, but I kept my mouth shut, figuring the manager would correct his error as soon as he noticed that I was a productive, hard working fellow. More than a year later he gave me one of his infamous nickel per hour raises. We worked from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. until noon on Saturday. We were happy to have the long hours, because without the overtime, we would have starved.

Occasionally, after many days of Herculean efforts to repair an endless parade of broken machinery, I would have an off day. I would putter around the shop, cleaning up and organizing a little, but not accomplishing much. The manager, who usually didn't leave his ivory tower in the main office, could be depended upon to drop in to see what we were doing every time I was doing nothing.
 
The shop was the hub of the co-op. People from the fertilizer plant, the LP gas department, the gas station, and the dairy department wandered in, needing something fixed or just killing time. We heard all the latest jokes and gossip. There were a few employees who made a career out of jokes and gossip, and were generally paid more than the rest of us, because they had been there longer and were more entertaining.

After several years of employment, we got one week of paid vacation. It was rumored that one of the guys in the gas department, having worked there forty years, got two weeks. There was also workers' compensation, so that if one of us got hurt on the job, he got paid until he could drag himself back through the door and try to work. The future looked bleak, but the opportunity of a lifetime was just around the corner. 

I was given the chance to work for a new employer. I would set my own pay and my own hours. Much of the work was outside. No more would I come to work in the dark, and not leave that dreary shop until after dark in the evening. If I had an off day, I could do what I liked, without anybody saying a word about it. It sounded wonderful, and I accepted the job immediately. I have worked for the same employer ever since.

There have been years since then when I made much more money than I made at the co-op, but there have been some years when I made much less. I have given up complaining to the boss, because his nasty little assistant tells me if I want more money, I'm going to have to work harder or smarter, or both. The hours I worked at the co-op seem like a walk in the park compared to the hours I put in now. The days are long, and weekends are often spent working. I do get to work outside a lot, which is great in the summer, but not such a benefit when the wind-chill is forty below zero.

If I have a bad day and wander about, kicking a rock or a tin can, the boss' nasty little assistant gives me no peace until I get back to work.

My social life during working hours is almost non-existent. Conversations are pretty one sided, since the animals I work with know no jokes or gossip, and in fact haven't learned to speak any language I can understand.

If I think about taking a vacation, the boss' nasty little assistant reminds me of all the work that needs to be done, and tells me that I will not make any money if I don't keep my nose to the grindstone. I don't even dare think about getting hurt on the job, as there is no one to take my place.

My boss is a pretty good fellow, but that nasty little assistant of his causes me endless hardship. Leaving that job in town to become a farmer, working for myself and my conscience, is the smartest, as well as the dumbest, thing I have ever done.


Day to Day R
With Donna Mae
Ashby, MN

My county lady gave me a good refresher site for CPR. Thought I'd share. Or if you know of anyone that needs a certificate, it's a simple way to get one. I think it's a review we should all do quite often. www.firstaidweb.com


Travelogue t

The Bolivian Beat
By Kjirsten Swenson

Hiking to Lake Chillata was breathtaking in more than one sense. I met my guide, a mountain goat disguised as an Aymara peasant named Manuel, just after dawn. We set out immediately, hoping to reach this sacred lake at the foot of Mount Illampu with time for me to descend and catch a bus to La Paz. Threats of blockades and transportation stops were sufficient incentive for me to ignore my heart racing at 180 beats per minute as we ascended, first past corn and potato fields, later above sheep and llama pastures, to Lake Chillata at nearly 14,000 feet above sea level.

Four hours and nearly a mile of vertical elevation gain later, we made it! Clear skies meant spectacular views of Mount Illampu, Bolivia's second-highest peak at 20,873 feet above sea level. Sooner or later, I'll post photos...

Oxygen deprivation makes my fingers tingle!

So if you ever make it to Bolivia to trek, I have a few things figured out. Trekking in Bolivia is not trekking national park established trails... It's hiking along paths used by Bolivian peasants. There are lots of them and trekking for more than an hour without getting lost would be difficult. But expensive, all-inclusive, trekking trips are definitely not the only way to go. If we brought all necessary equipment, we could easily contract a local guide and mules (I refuse to carry a pack at these altitudes) for very little. Out of Sorata, I think the price for guide and mules is only $15 per day for 1-3 hikers. As the group grows, guide prices increase as well but not by a lot.

I have a couple of trekking Bolivia and Peru books that I'll take with me when I come home in June. Oh, and ideal trekking season here is June through September. It's beautiful now, as well, just that the end of rainy season can mean frequent clouds and buried peaks.

So I made it down with plenty of time to catch the bus. My sushi meal in La Paz was divine, and I have plans to repeat it tomorrow before I board a night bus for Cochabamba. Today I visited a museum and bought myself two wonderful alpaca sweaters. I won't buy sweaters for any of you; I assume you'd rather choose when you come in August.

I'm on my way to catch live jazz tonight at a cafe recommended by a friend.

Hasta luego,

Kjirsten

Kjirsten is wet Washing the ambulance
After washing the ambulance in a stream ... I seem to be wet!

Photo Editor's Note: Kjirsten periodically uploads photos to her online album at Webshots. We can make copies to illustrate her stories in The Bulletin, but we can't necessarily get the photos to match the stories at the same time. She noted that photos from the above trek were "still on the chip," but we thought you might enjoy these. If you wish to see more of her photos, these are from her Bolivia 2 album posted here: http://community.webshots.com/user/kjswenson


This and That
6
by Elaine Wold
Wahpeton, ND

The Magic of a Friend
 
It's the little things that matter,
The unexpected things...
The thoughtful gift that gives a lift,
The thrill a phone call brings!
The kindly deed for one in need,
The willingness to share,
A happy smile that helps a while,
And tells someone, "I care."
 
****************************
How many of us have  had a failure this week? or last week? or anytime?
We just try, try again!!! Think about these quotes from these men.

THE IMPORTANCE OF FAILURE

A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.
George Bernard Shaw

Failure is the foundation of success, and the means by which it is achieved.
Lao-tzu

I would prefer even to fail with honor than win by cheating.
Sophocles

If you're gonna be a failure, at least be one at something you enjoy.
Sylvester Stallone


The Matriarch Speaks W
by Dorothy (Dake) Anderson
Alexandria, MN

The National Honor Society of the Glencoe-Silver Lake High School had their tenth anniversary induction service recently. This group was established to encourage excellence and a well rounded education. Their hope was to graduate students who would become worthwhile, citizens of worth. The induction was to give recognition to the students who have qualities that would produce such citizens.

Each student that is to become a member of The National Honor Society is chosen for the following qualities: Scholarship, Character, Leadership,and Service. They each have a sponser who presents them. They are chosen from the ranks of upperclassmen -- usually Juniors and Seniors.

The latest member of our family to be inducted into The National Honor Society is our granddaughter, Rachel Henderson. It was doubly nice because she also helped provide the music used in the program of presentation. She was the pianist for the background music (The Prelude). She sang with two groups: a vocal ensemble that did Ride The Chariot; and with a girls group that sang Sentimental Journey.

We offer you our congratulations and best wishes, Rachel!


Celebrations & Observances
From the Files of
5
Hetty Hooper

This Week's Birthdays:

May 4---Beau Birkholz
May 7---Ben Johnson

Happy Birthday!

More May Birthdays:
'
May 10---Curt Henderson
May 12---James Dake
May 14---Ernie Dake
May 16---Angelie Ann Freesemann
May 17---Dwight Anderson
May 19---Ryan Hellevang
May 22---Dan Henderson
May 23---Don Pettit
May 24---Amy Ellen Dake
May 26---Rick Anderson
May 28---Jazmine Jane Hill (1 year old)
May 29---Kristi Kay Indermark
May 31---Mavis Morgan

May Anniversaries:
Z
May 16---Nathan and Brenda Hill's Wedding Anniversary (8th)
May 20---Steve and Marian Miller's Wedding Anniversary (34th)
May 27---Dwight and Janie Anderson's Wedding Anniversary (33rd)
May 31---Tom and Mavis Morgan's Wedding Anniversary (47th)

May Graduations
®
May 15, 2004---Tami S. Anderson
(Doctor of Optometry degree from Pacific University)
May 15, 2004---Eric Shockey
(Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from University of North Dakota)

May 15, 2004---Melanie Shockey
(Bachelor of Accountancy from University of North Dakota)

Other May Holidays & Observances
O
May 9---Mothers' Day
May15---Armed Forces Day
May 31---Memorial Day (observed)
~~~~~~~~~~~~

Oops!

The Bulletin's Photo Editor wishes to apologize for getting Mia Nelson's name wrong in the April birthday list. She acknowledges that Miss Hetty and Miss Kitty had nothing to do with the error and she commends the Richard Johnson and Mia Nelson family scribes for their gracious response. How delightful to see a junior editor's "senior moment" turned into a fun Family Update with photos of the whole family and even a few representatives of the family's goats!

Birthday Wishes!

Birthday wishes to Peggy!

I was just catching up (FINALLY) on The Bulletin and see that today marks her birthday. Be sure to tell her Happy Birthday from me!

(Also, I really like this new, additional, information in The Bulletin!)

Lori

Congratulations!

To Rachel Henderson, recently inducted into The National Honor Society.

Keep Us Posted!

Please drop Miss Hetty a line and tell us who, and what, we've missed. And how about a report (photos welcome) of YOUR special celebration?

'Many Thankse
Everyone!

Miss Hetty


+ LETTERS TO THE EDITORS?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wow!! What a Bulletin! The pictures, graphics, and the wonderful stories make it so fun to read! Thanks to all of you talented people and the editors for all of their hard work and dedication!

Patty Dee


I just finished reading the latest Bulletin and wanted to say Thanks to you and your "staff" for another job well done!

As usual, I loved the Miss Kitty story and the picture was darling.

Brianna makes Doug's recipes professional enough to sell -- (still think you should think along that line Doug).*

I'm looking forward to see how grueling that "trek" was for Kjirsten; it sounded rather daunting, even for her! I wish she could get digital pictures sent, it sounds like she's seeing and experiencing things not many of us will ever have the opportunity to experience.*

Elaine & Mavis added some interesting tidbits (although Elaine's was rather depressing :-)

Plus, don't know if I mentioned before, that I really enjoy the addition of birthdays and anniversaries (of course I no longer have an excuse to forget one now, though!)

Question: Do any of you remember the words to a song about  K..K..K. Katie I'll be waiting, I'll be waiting at the k..k..kitchen door? Don't know if any of that is in the real title...

Donna Mae Johnson

*Photo Editor's Note: Ask and you shall receive. See The Bolivian Beat, above ... and if you'd like to view or download Doug's recipe as a PDF file, so you can control the size, it's here:

http://www.jlowther.com/Bulletin/pdf/condensedchef.pdf

To view PDF files, you'll need a free Acrobat Reader from Adobe. Download it here:

http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html


The Bulletin was lovely! The Miss kitty letter was nothing short of adorable, and Dad's piece was written in an amusing, lighthearted fashion. All in all, another show-stopper!

Doug


CHUCKLES

HERE'S A FUNNY ONE FOR EVERY COMPUTER OWNER :-)
From Barb Dewey

I was having trouble with my computer. So I called Rick, the computer guy, to come over. Rick clicked a couple of buttons and solved the problem. He gave me a bill for a minimum service call. As he was walking away, I called after him, "So, what was wrong?" He replied, "It was an ID ten T error."

I didn't want to appear stupid, but nonetheless inquired: "An ID ten T error? What's that ... in case I need to fix it again?"

The computer guy grinned ... "Haven't you ever heard of an ID ten T error before?"

"No," I replied.

"Write it down," he said, "and I think you'll figure it out."

So I wrote out... I D 1 0 T

Have A Nice Day


QUOTATION FOR THE DAY: Consider how hard it is to change yourself and you'll understand what little chance you have of trying to change others. --Jacob M. Braude


EDITOR'S POLICY: If you wish to subscribe to The Bulletin, simply send me a statement of that fact. If you wish to keep receiving it I hope you will contribute to one of the columns that are running in this family epistle (at least occasionally!). My e-mail address is dma49261@juno.com


This Bulletin is copyright Dorothy M. Anderson; the contents are also copyrighted by the authors and photographers and used with their permission, and the contents are not to be used for any commercial purposes without the explicit consent of the creators.