by Kath

Margaux and I grew up in Long Valley, as did our Dads, Paul and Frank.  Our grandfathers, Dickie and Charlie, were some of the early pioneers who came to this cold, mountain valley.  And our grandmothers, Margaurite and Ora, were fast friends, so we’ve always thought they would think it was special that we have such a great kinship, too. 

That being said, the theme for our valley parade this year was something like “Through the Ages”, so Margaux & I paid tribute to our families by creating an entry called “Daughters of the Pioneers”. 

We got the old buggy out and gave it a good cleaning….

scrounged up some old-time clothing for the girls…

and the whole lot of us women folk…

Made some posters, hung some banners, included lots of candy for tossing…

or eating, too…

got in a daily nap for Sage at the usual time (no stress or totally stressed?)

Then we headed down the parade route…

P.S . We worried and wondered all week about what to do for a “horse”. Our old buggy horse is almost 30 and has earned her right to stay away from the crowds and noise of the ”big city. “  And it takes a lot of work to create a new buggy horse. Obviously, we aren’t in the right stage of our lives for the time needed to train buggy horses. We tried a 4wheeler with a team of stick horses on the front, but it really took away from the charm. So, in the end, Margaux and I were the horses…..With a sign on the back that read, “Is this what they meant by a horseless carriage?”