Julia Griswold Armstrong brings her book Throw a Saddle on the Star: A Pioneer’s Tale to Touchstones Nelson on May 26 at 7 p.m.
The book tells the story of her life growing up in a pioneer lifestyle in the 1960s in the Kootenays. When most were seeking modern conveniences, Armstrong’s family life was centred around self sufficiency by logging and farming with horses, growing gardens and making their own hydroelectric power, among other activities.
The presentation shows her parents’ childhoods, her father as a hobo riding the rails during the Depression, and various photos depicting her parents’ preparation for homestead life. Also included are photos of the pioneer life near Kaslo.
Armstrong will share her childhood adventures, challenges and the joys of a family working together.
She has applied many of her pioneer skills into her current life in the Shuswap. She lives in a log house that she and her late husband built.
The presentation includes a slide show about the creation of the book using her mother’s diaries as one of the main resources.