 Camel caravans were common in 1881 Tashkent Photo: 1977 Ethiopia © Mennonite Heritage Archives by Eric Rempel and John Wieler In 1880-81, Mennonite migrants travelled over mountains, through deserts on camels, and by covered wagons from South Russia to Central Asia. Their perilous journey is shared in these letters to the Rundschau and other magazines. Now with author photos, thanks to Robert Friesen!
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 My darling kitty, Cassie, endures some poking and prodding Today was my fifth vet visit with my newly adopted kitty, Cassie, in just over a month. Was it all necessary? I sure hope so. But even if today's appointment was overkill, an unexpected encounter there warmed my heart.
Books one and two in the Rescue Me Series There’s a new contemporary romance novelist who features animal rescue work in her books, a heartwarming combination! In her Rescue Me series, Debbie Burns writes about a fictitious no kill animal shelter located in St. Louis, Missourri, where she also resides.  My Valentine's Gift for supporting the Surrey Community Cat Coalition Valentine’s Day can be difficult if you’re single, but this year it was lovely. It began with a huge heart-shaped box of chocolates, a prize for donating to the Surrey Community Cat Coalition. My love and concern for homeless cats was returned in a tasty gift. Campbell Valley Regional Park, the site of some risky driving behaviour We can’t always avoid crashing, but our attitude and even prayer can protect us. As I’ve seen the devastating impacts of road crashes, when I drive, I often pray for a safe journey. I recently learned a more powerful way to pray.
 Blackie and Ginger on their cat tree, 1995 I’m not in a relationship now, but when I think back, the most loving thing any man has ever done for me was by T. He was like a gift who arrives in your life but you don’t quite realize it. I saw the potential for friendship right away, and invited him to stay in my home until he had his own place. He was stuck in a motel after being transferred to our northern community.
 Photo: My cat and his multi-purpose grooming comb Maybe it’s being the daughter of immigrants, but I’ve always tried to fix things if I can. The process can be empowering or frustrating and may or may not yield results. Last weekend I had a plumbing problem. My kitchen sink had been draining a bit slowly for a couple of months, but suddenly the flow completely stopped. Some of the water crept into the second sink and then settled ominously above both drains.
 Anne’s preserves raise money for the Surrey Community Cat Coalition Having lived for a few years where the temperature can drop to 35 or 40 below zero (-31 to -40 F) for a month at a time, I appreciate some of the challenges of working in remote northern locations.
 Photo: a young raccoon scales a fig tree, August 2013 As an animal lover, it pains me to see furry or feathered victims of car collisions lying on the road. I do what I can to have the bodies removed as quickly as possible. Sometimes it involves a little intuition, which might be a powerful tool even to save lives. |
WriterIrene Plett is a writer, poet and animal lover living in South Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. Categories
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