Gavle Goat

Wikipedia informed me that the first giant Christmas Goat in Gavle was the brainchild of an advertising man in 1966, but it also related that the tradition of a goat  had possibly pre-Christian origins where the god Thor was pulled across the heavens in his chariot by two goats.  Now, goats may be very common on the hillsides in Scandinavia, but I think that I would have picked reindeer -- they can't possibly be more obstinate than goats.

In any case, Gavle embraced the Christmas goat (which brought presents) in a big way, erecting the straw goat each year.  In its history it has been burned about half the time, but it is now a major attraction for the city.  And even Ikea in Canada has straw goat ornaments to hang on the tree.

But, it is not Christmas and there is no huge straw goat on the square in front of the library, but Gavle has not abandoned its love of the goat.  There are small goats -- about 1.5 m tall all around the town, painted by sponsoring businesses or organizations.  The one by Goat Square is done up as if made of straw, but the others seem to be vying for title of "wildest".

Miss Tova Elise (in the pram asleep) didn't have any comment, yet, as to preference.  She had just come from the photographer getting her passport photo taken.  That was an adventure, but Jennie tried the 'hand under the clothes' trick and was successful.