Angel of Grief

More than just a headstone...a remarkable monument:  Angel of Grief

Barn in Naples...

...Naples, Alberta that is.

The building is still remarkably upright and true...no sagging roofline or wobbly corners.  Surprisingly too, all five lightning rods complete with aluminum globes are still in tact.  In better days it had a fresh coat of creamy yellow paint with white trim.

Big barn against an even bigger Alberta sky. 

Photographed on February 18, 2021.

Immaculate Conception at Fish Creek

Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church at Fish Creek, Saskatchewan.

In better times the recessed alcove in the gable would have held a porcelain statue of Saint Mary.

It is one of only a few churches I've encountered that faces east.

The steeple and bell tower are decorative and very tall.  The cross up top is still standing straight.

A stone cairn at what was once the main entrance to the church.    

The altar...

...nave and balcony.  The ceiling is pressed tin.

The chimney is still straight as an arrow.

A side-long view.

Not far south is the cemetery (which also offers a good view of the church).

The most recent burials I could find were in 1960 and 1980.  According to the locals there are several unmarked graves.

As always, a special "thank you" to those who keep the cemetery so nicely maintained.

A couple of historic photos (courtesy of Linda).  The church opened in 1920...

...and closed in 1957.  

Photographed on July 30, 2021.

Islay S.D. No. 1467

A sign at the former site of a one-room schoolhouse.

Photographed near Quill Lake, Saskatchewan on March 18, 2020.

Big Stone House

An abandoned two-storey stone house near Sintaluta, Saskatchewan.  Big enough that each kid probably had his or her own room.

Photographed on May 18, 2021.

Uspenska

Sunset at Assumption of Saint Mary's Ukrainian Orthodox Church...known locally as Uspenska.

Photographed near Canora, Saskatchewan on July 27, 2021.

Another Prairie Adventure

This way to Beresina Cemetery.  

Turn right at the sign and drive past the old barn.

(Don't try this one after a rainfall.)

A mile down the trail is another sign.  Turn right, skirt around the aspen grove... 

...follow the edge of the harvested grain field and...

..."Voila!"  

For an "out of the way" cemetery it is well marked, fenced and maintained thanks to a couple of local fellows.

A marble headstone beside four small white crosses...

...and a cast concrete marker.

Nice little country cemetery.  

Beresina Cemetery is about midway between Churchbridge and MacNutt, Saskatchewan.

Earlier the same day:  A Prairie Adventure

Photographed on October 10, 2020.

12

A random collection of personal favourites from past road trips...one for each month of the year.       

January 7, 2020

Doukhobour Prayer Home

Veregin, Saskatchewan

February 23, 2020

Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church

Kaleland, Alberta

March 19, 2020

Profitis Ilias Greek Orthodox Church

Endeavour, Saskatchewan

April 18, 2018

Loma School

Loma, Montana

May 29, 2019

Sacred Heart Cemetery

Bow Island, Alberta

June 12, 2020

Saint Joseph Catholic Parish

Frenchville, Saskatchewan

July 7, 2019

Église de Sainte-Jeanne-d’Arc

Dollard, Saskatchewan

August 4, 2020

Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church

Smuts, Saskatchewan

September 30, 2017

Scotsguard Bridge

Scotsguard, Saskatchewan

October 11, 2020

Saint Mary the Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Church

Melville, Saskatchewan

November 24, 2018

South Saint Olaf Church

Kincaid, North Dakota

December 6, 2017

Porcupine

Eagle Butte, Alberta

Goldenrod

Goldenrod is a late summer bloomer and is an important source of nectar for bees and butterflies.

The flowers are like clusters of golden-coloured starbursts.  Nature continues to be wonderful.

Photographed near Rhein, Saskatchewan on July 28, 2021.

Saint Mary's near Prud'homme

Winter light at Saint Mary's Cemetery.

The white fence posts look comfortable in the snow.

Photographed near Prud'homme, Saskatchewan on January 16, 2021.