I Did the Best I Could

A grave marker at the Friedens United Cemetery for Barry Leroy Lausen...husband, father and grandpa.

"I did the best I could
Stop in again, I'll still be here."

Photographed near Hanna, Alberta on November 14, 2018.

Alberta Wheat Pool

The grain elevator at Kirriemuir, Alberta.

The silver-coloured tin panelling together with what looks like a fresh coat of green paint create a stark but attractive contrast.

The sky was gray or white with light rain throughout the day.  Thankfully the roads didn't get muddy.

I like this photo where the big silver annex dominates the scene.

Photographed on October 22, 2019.

Maltby S.D. No. 3777

An abandoned one-room schoolhouse near Arbuthnot, Saskatchewan.

This area was settled mainly by Catholic French immigrants.

The chimney is in remarkably good condition.  Usually chimneys on old schools are made of red brick but not this one.

Some bales in the background.

There are a number of pioneer schoolhouse signs of similar design in the area.

 The school yard has been conserved as a wildlife habitat.  Wild animals need a place to live but watch out for skunks!  

Photographed on August 10, 2018.

Near Hryhoriw

A solitary memorial marker out in the open prairie near Hryhoriw, Saskatchewan.

Photographed on March 20, 2020.

Spring Flowers

Spring is now in full gear and that means spring flowers.  The century-old property where I was gardening today had three different varieties of old-fashioned lilacs blooming.  The white lilacs above were just beginning to open...

...but these lavender and rosy-pink ones were giving their all.

Lots of dark purple irises blooming in bunches along two sides of the fence.

More irises with lilies-of-the-valley and a sedum that won't bloom until fall.

When I started working in the yard last year I found this tiny frog sculpture under a shrub.  He is now guardian of the back yard.

A personal favourite are these little violas.  They've now been blooming for over two weeks.

Can't wait for these white lilacs to fully open. 

Photographed on May 24, 2020.

Barn near Dodsland

An old barn along the top edge of a coulee.

There are long diagonal poles holding the barn upright.

The side door to the hayloft is unusual.  I've only seen that feature a few times in my travels.

Photographed near Dodsland, Saskatchewan on November 19, 2019.

William

A lovely mid-century child's headstone complete with ceramic photograph.

Photographed at the Tyvan Cemetery in Saskatchewan on December 14, 2018.

First Monastery of Saint Peter's

The sign reads:

The first seven Benedictine monks arrived at Muenster on May 21, 1903.  They celebrated their first Mass a mile south of Muenster, on the east bank of the Wolverine Creek.  A few days later they built this first Benedictine monastery in Canada, about a half-mile due north of here and 1 kilometre south of St. Peter's Cathedral.  They lived in this log monastery for a month, until the end of June, 1903 when they moved into a frame building behind St. Peter's Cathedral. 

This 14' x 18' log house was built in 2003, our centennial year, as a replica of that first log monastery in Muenster.

Photos of the cathedral can be seen here: Saint Peter's at Muenster

Photographed at Saint Peter's Abbey in Muenster, Saskatchewan on March 21, 2020.

Saint Alban's at Chailey

This is Saint Alban's Anglican Church at Chailey, Alberta.  It was built in 1908 following an influx of British settlers to the area.

A square crenellated tower is often found on Anglican country churches.

The cemetery behind the church has been in use since 1915.

The view to the west from outside...

...and from inside.

Some winter afternoon sunlight brightens up the woodwork.  The church appears to be mostly original as built both inside and outside.

The six panel door is both rare and a character defining element of the church.

The church was officially closed in 1971...

...but is still used for special services.

Above the front door...inside looking out.

This one is a sweetheart.

Photographed on February 21, 2020.

Anaconda Mountains

A view of the Anaconda Mountains from Butte, Montana.

Butte is along the western slope of the Continental Divide.

Photographed on November 26, 2017.