Saint Margaret's

I spent this past Saturday working out at Saint Margaret's Church and Cemetery.  There's always lots to do in spring...edging, weeding and general clean up after a long winter.

A lovely spot where I plan on spending eternity.  But for now, tending the grounds and enjoying the landscape is fine by me.

Photographed near Eagle Butte in the Cypress Hills of Alberta on May 14, 2022.

Saint Wolodymyr's

I always enjoy a visit to Saint Wolodymyr's, and hope you do as well.

It was wonderful to see all the wild pasque flowers blooming on the northern hillside of the church yard.  There were literally dozens upon dozens of them proudly displaying their large lavender-coloured blooms.  In many areas wild pasque flowers have died out over the past few decades but not here...makes Saint Wolodymyr's even a little more special.  (Many will know pasque flowers simply as prairie crocus.)

The formal entrance to...

...the little church in the middle of nowhere.

The remains of a neighbouring church are buried under this mound.

The main marker in front of the cemetery.

A special "thank you" to the folks who tend the grounds.   

Another acknowledgement is in order, this time to Michael Anctil of Medicine Hat Monumental.  He installs and tends markers and monuments in cemeteries near and far.  In this case, he's responsible for creating, installing and maintaining many of the headstones here as well as giving a new life to the main marker which is now on a new (and level) tiered concrete base.  Kudos to him and his staff...hard work done with care and devotion.  

Photographed near Cappon, Alberta on April 30, 2022.

All Saints in Kamsack

A beautiful white church before a brilliant blue summer sky.

The design of the cupolas is extraordinary.  Each one is supported by eight small pillars forming an octagon.  What makes these a standout is that usually the structure below the cupolas is completely closed-in whereas these are open to the elements...I bet the view is good from up there.  And there's a bonus as well, the Orthodox cross below the centre cupola can be lit up at night.

Most outdoor altars are constructed of formed concrete painted white but this one is fabricated steel and powder-coated in silver-gray and gold.  

The marble cornerstone...seventy-five years old this year.

The gate sign above the front entrance displays a golden tryzub flanked by two red maple leaves.  The tryzub (trident) symbol dates back over ten centuries and is the official coat of arms of Ukraine.  

God bless the Ukrainian people in these troubled times.

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of All Saints was photographed in Kamsack, Saskatchewan on July 28, 2022.

Sheep

Twins having a rest.

Being a good mom.

Photographed near Piapot, Saskatchewan on May 9, 2022.

Vernon School (Early the Next Morning)

The same school as in the previous post but in the early morning light of the following day.

Photographed on November 6, 2021.

Vernon School (Late in the Afternoon)

An abandoned schoolhouse north of Sibbald, Alberta on a late-fall afternoon.

Photographed on November 5, 2021.

Goslings

Even though the world is a very messed up place these days there is some good news...there are baby geese, and lots of them.  Enjoy!

Photographed in Medicine Hat, Alberta on May 14, 2022.

Booze and Bullets

News flash!

A scene of death and destruction in the southern prairies last night.

Police were in hot pursuit of a vehicle suspected of transporting illegal liquor when it veered off the road and rolled into an open pasture.

As police turned spotlights onto the overturned car gunfire erupted.  Officers returned multiple rounds in defense.

The young officer behind the wheel of the police cruiser, acting in the heat of the moment, buried the accelerator to the floorboards and headed straight towards the flashes of gunfire.

In moments he crashed into the side of the suspect's vehicle.  Gunfire ceased and the one remaining spotlight on the passenger's side of the police car lit the scene.  Both suspects had been crushed in the impact and the young officer was dead behind the wheel.  He left behind a wife of two years and a nine month old baby.

A broken quart bottle of moonshine was found at the scene.  The officer in charge was promoted to head of all illegal liquor and drug activities in the southern prairies. 

Eighteen months to the day of the shootout the officer in charge was shot dead while walking to the corner store.  There were no witnesses to the shooting.  

The parents of the boys killed in the shootout live a quiet contented life on their small farm near the border. 

More photos of the scene below.

Photographed near Grasslands National Park in Saskatchewan on November 19, 2021.

Red and Yellow

A red-winged blackbird and yellow-headed blackbird enjoying a small wetland together near Horsham, Saskatchewan.

Photographed on April 30, 2022.

Handsome Guy

Photographed south of Gull Lake, Saskatchewan on May 11, 2022.