Pastor Sheilah and Andy invited me to attend the annual “non-mechanized” Christmas Parade in Holstein. Holstein is a hamlet about 40 minutes south of where I live. The community has been organizing this horse-drawn parade for many years. It took about 1/2 hour to watch the parade. It was fantastic! A marching pipe band led the parade and then an amazing number of horses, big and tiny, ridden and driven, followed. There was a goat, and llamas, and a collection of dogs on parade … and Santa was the finale! I took a lot of photos … so when you click here … you’ll find 71 pictures.
We arrived early enough to have soup, biscuit, tea & a muffin ($4.50!) at the United Church. The turkey macaroni soup was delicious!
After the parade we went over to Sheilah & Andy’s friend’s (Fred & Del) house and had great treats and a wonderful visit. I got my ‘dog-lovin’ quota in with Nicole the lap dog.
I am falling in love with small communities and I’m beginning to realize at a personal/gut level of the need to save these communities – no matter what the cost in yearly taxes.
Kristin: You got some nice pictures of the Holstein parade. We also enjoyed the pictures of you holding PJ in the office. You shure you can leave PJ behind when you head back to Regina at the end of May?
PJ is growing into being a lovely cat. When I remember how thin she was when she came to me I can hardly believe she survived.
I do love her dearly and she is a great companion. It is still my plan to leave her behind. It is my hope there will be a home, who not only will take her, but more importantly, will want her. And I know that home will love her even more than I do.
OR …. you, Kristin, could stay with cat and convince Doug to move to Ontario!!!
by the way, Doug, should Kristin ever mention she doesn’t like to/doesn’t know how to cook … she’s pulling your leg. She served a great brunch to us yesterday! Thanks, Kristin!
A truly blessed, restful and joyous Christmas to you and all those you hold dear to you! Merry Christmas from our computer to yours!!!
I sure like the idea of keeping Kristin around here. She has been a real blessing. She has also been verbally abused by some of our parishioners, especially one who supposedly is a “quiet” one amongst us. Anyone fit that bill?