Regina - a Strong Community

Coming from Lethbridge to Regina, we had things to do - eat and tighten down the support structure!

We had such a wonderful time with our friends in Lethbridge that it was hard to leave. Especially when they made such good meals for us.  My eyes popped at breakfast! As we were ready to head out we noticed that the bolt on the top of the truck - the one that keeps the sculpture riding firmly - was loose. It took two wenches and two wrenches to tighten things.

We must be crazy but we loved the prairies and found them interesting and NOT flat.  We lost reception on several calls that came in as it was Mother's day and Cathy's three children wanted to wish her a happy day. Tomas had her in stitches with the message he left!

We arrived in Regina to a warm First Nations welcome by the BBQing Darryl Caldwell.  He and his wife have the broadest open door policy that we have seen and while the house was small it was full of welcome. After a good sleep, we caught up on phone calls and then readied ourselves for Regina's walk for the homeless. There is a Housing Summit in the city and several local agencies cooperated to bring attention to those currently living well below the poverty line.

 

 My favourite moment - this fellow thought I was a banker and wondered why I was speaking about homelessness. I talked about the old days - 49 medication pills to pop each day - every med time and food (or lack thereof) dependent.

 Carmichael was the most welcoming place we could have imagined.  We ate soup and bannick and talked to several very amazing people.

The walk and our truck was smudged with sweat-grass - wonderful smell and wonderful act. Thank you Darryl for your traditions and thoughtful presence. Sadly, we said goodbye to Darryl and Donna - with a little 'we can-can' dance. All happy times seem to end.

 Flooding was apparent as we drove east to Manitoba.

 The train - an amazing way to move so many things west or east across our vast country. And yet this drive has the plus of being able to stop at every little place that our whim tells us - like at pink ice cream parlours on the prairie.