The Visigoths threw the Roman Empire into chaos, ushering in the Dark Ages for Western civilization, a period of minimalist survival that lasted for almost a millennium. On February 8th, we were visited by our own cute Visigoth -- tyrannical yet lovable.
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| Visigoth ruler -- Elsa, surveys her domain with a baleful eye |
While Europe languished for 1000 years, I think it's pretty fine that we let the blog slide for only 6 months. Welcome back!
In truth, it has been a full and richly rewarding spring and summer. We have had the privilege to plant gardens and flowerbeds, holiday in Banff for four days, embrace swimming lessons, and go to the Danish Canadian Museum and Markerville Creamery.
Markerville hosts and annual Cream Day celebration of its rich, fat-laden history through ice cream. It is the quintessential agricultural community celebration with a petting zoo, local folk music, Highland dance, and free ice cream churned by hand in antique ice cream makers.
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| Highland Dancers from Innisfail Dance School |
Britta was enthralled with the dancers and as they finished the Highland Reel, she burst out, "When I am older, maybe I can dance like them." She then showcased a few of her own dance moves, with swinging arms and thrust out chest which evoke more of a Busta Rhymes and crumping street-dance feel. Yes, I believe dance lessons will be on Britta's horizon.
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| One of the Three Billy Goats Gruff |
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Britta made a bee-line for the petting zoo and was delighted to be given a handful of feed. The chin-whiskers and eager mooching of the goats put her off. We're hoping that this aversion will mean that Britta will never bring home a scruffy-faced young man whose sole occupation is "band-member".
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| A local 4H'er |
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| A rescued owl from the Medicine River Wildlife Centre |
Britta liked the calf, but absolutely loved the Holstein cow. She wanted desperately for it to eat from her hand, despite her only having three dilapidated oats left. The cow spent the entire time we were at its pen with it's back turned to us, so Britta was yelling, "Here cow! Here cow! I have food for you!" We finally convinced Britta that if she dropped the oats inside the pen, the cow would be most grateful and eat them later.
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| Yummmm! |
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| "Please sir, may I have another?" -- Oliver Twist |
The free ice cream cones were the perfect size for small children and for people who have just undergone gastric bypass surgery. We adults had to line up a couple times, apologize profusely and make excuses that our children were wanting more ice-cream in order to get a good taste. Yes, on occasion we do use our children to leverage treats -- let those of you who have never cut a checkout line with a baby cast the first cone. The trick is to leave a few dabs of food on their faces for extra cuteness.
Elsa has two teeth on the bottom now and is showing a marked interest in eating solid food. Solid anything, really. This morning she gave the trampoline mat a good licking when I put her down. It's got the rich flavour of nylon with hints of pine needle and ants. However, when we went to Cream Day, Elsa didn't get any treats. She rode around on Mum, winning hearts and adding to her collective Visigoth kingdom.
