Working on Sunday

Up at 5:00 a.m. and on my way to Saint Margaret's in the Cypress Hills to get some gardening done before the heat of the afternoon.

The early flowering trees and shrubs in town have all finished their blooming cycle but up in the Cypress Hills the flowering was only just beginning.  The old-fashioned lilacs were the first to catch my eye.

Not only were the lilacs flowering but also...

...the caraganas...

...and wild chokecherries.

This is one of the prettiest times of year to stop by for a visit.

Photographed near Eagle Butte, Alberta on June 12, 2022.

The Old Church

Had a busy day gardening out at Saint Margaret's Church and Cemetery today...there's always lots to do at this time of year.  On the way  home I stopped by the old Congregational Church at Gros Ventre-Tothill for a few photos.  This is my favourite angle for an afternoon shot.

Photographed north of the Cypress Hills in Alberta on June 12, 2022.

Miss Kim

"Miss Kim" is a Manchurian variety of lilac that blooms about two weeks later than the old-fashioned variety.  

The flower colour is a touch pale for me but what they lack in colour is readily made up for in fragrance.  (This is where a "scratch n' sniff" app would come in handy.)   

A close-up of the delicate tubular shaped blossoms.   

Photographed at Lucy's house in Medicine Hat, Alberta on June 10, 2022.

Heather's Garden

Tucked into an alcove behind Saint Margaret's Church is this tiny garden dedicated to Heather Carter.  

 

Taken too soon, she is buried in the cemetery next to the church.

Near the foot of her grave, Sage keeps his vigil.

Photographed at Saint Margaret's Church and Cemetery in the Cypress Hills of Alberta on June 3, 2022.

White Valley Lutheran Church

An historical church on the southern Saskatchewan prairie...

...with a wonderful one-of-a-kind cross.

I greatly appreciate these handsome history plaques that are provided by the Saskatchewan History & Folklore Society together with the local community groups.  An admiral step towards preserving our history. 

The church would comfortably seat at least a hundred people.

A close-up of the "modern-style" altar.

The window above the front doors...no stained glass here but that big blue prairie sky more than makes up for it.  

Also on the grounds...

...stands a marker for the Northwest Mounted Police Trail.  

Photographed south of Dollard, Saskatchewan on May 10, 2022.

In the Garden

A trio of photos from where I was "working" today. 

All the neighbourhood birds stop by for a drink and or a bath in one of the three bird baths in the garden.  The one in the photo is the deepest and is the robin's favourite.  They expect it to be cleaned then filled with cool clean water on a daily basis.  When this isn't done they will stand on the edge of the bird bath and scream to the high heavens as soon as they see you out in the yard.  They learn quick...and of course they get their way.  

Photographed in Medicine Hat, Alberta on June 8, 2022.

Hope Lutheran in Kayville

The old Hope Lutheran Church in Kayville, Saskatchewan.

The phrase "all hope has been abandoned" seems fitting in this case.

Photographed on May 26, 2022.

Rock Mountain S.D. No. 4189

This is a one-of-a-kind pioneer school sign near Coronach, Saskatchewan.

The sign is dual-layer steel.  The foreground is a cut-out with the background layer providing depth of space for the coloured images and text.  

Someone really loved the little one-room schoolhouse that used to stand here.

Photographed on May 26, 2022.

Guardian Spirit

Sage is forever the guardian spirit at Saint Margaret's Church and Cemetery.

From his comfortable seat under a tall spruce tree he keeps a watchful eye on all that happens in the churchyard.    

For more about Sage, click here: Sage and here: Sage is Home

Photographed near Eagle Butte in the Cypress Hills of Alberta on June 3, 2022.

Irises

A close-up of some irises blooming.  The shades of purple and green are just the perfect contrast. 

Photographed at Lawrence's office in Medicine Hat, Alberta on June 4, 2022.