Farming Valley School

That oversized bell tower makes this one-room schoolhouse a standout.

Hope this one stands for many more years to come.

For more photos of this wonderful old schoolhouse, click here: "F"

Photographed near Cereal, Alberta on October 8, 2022.

Snow Geese

The snow geese migration is now in full swing.

It's always a joy to see them on a stop-over on their way south.

Photographed near Smuts, Saskatchewan on October 10, 2022.

Înălțarea Sfintei Cruci II

Same place as the previous post but a different season...

...this time it's a beautiful winter day in the country at Ascension of the Cross Romanian Orthodox Church and Cemetery.

Most everything is black and white against a brilliant blue sky, and even though it looks cold, a sweater and wind breaker were more than ample.     

Personally, it doesn't really matter what the season, visits to "Ascension" are a heart warming experience.  And it's always a treat to see a country church and cemetery so well cared for..."thank you" to those who are devoted to preserving the past.   

Photographed near Szypenitz, Alberta on February 23, 2020.

Înălțarea Sfintei Cruci I

Ascension of the Cross Romanian Orthodox Church and Cemetery.

Beautifully terraced gravesites in the cemetery.

Children's graves on the northern side of the cemetery.

This little country church built in 1912 is a favourite stop whenever I'm in the area.

On this visit I was lucky enough to get a few shots of the interior through the windows.  

Photographed near Szypenitz, Alberta on June 27, 2022.

Long Shots (Star Mound)

Long shots of Star Mound School near Snowflake, Manitoba.  The name "Snowflake" is equal parts imaginative and evocative...kudos to the person or persons who came up with that.  

Established in 1886, the school is only about four miles north of the Canada/U.S.A. border.  And you know you can't ask for a better place to be on a summer road trip than in the middle of nowhere!  I'm sure you know what I mean.  Happy road-tripping!

Photographed on August 17, 2022. 

Pansy

Late last fall I was researching south-central Manitoba when I came across a place named "Pansy."  I don't think it was ever really a town per se...most likely just a place for people to pick up their mail.  But me being a gardener, well, I simply had to see a place with such a wonderfully floral name. 

This little church and cemetery are the main feature.    

The cemetery has an abundance of rose and red coloured headstones...

...and the grounds are well kept by two brothers who live nearby.

Just as I was getting back into the car one of said brothers comes tearing up on an all terrain vehicle and introduces himself.  Since I help take care of a little church in the Cypress Hills of Alberta we had some thoughts and insights (as well as a few rants) to share.  After our brief chat we bid each other adieu, he on his was home and me back to the motel just a half hour north in Steinbach.  

So far so good, all is well in Pansy.   

Saint Peter and Saint Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church and Cemetery was photographed at Pansy, Manitoba on August 20, 2022.

Ascension

Visiting this long abandoned church was something of a spiritual experience.  It's one of those rare places where the past seems to be ever present and memories linger.

Just a short walk west of the church... 

...is the graveyard...

...where someone still mows the grass and keeps the weeds at bay.

Walking back towards the church...

...to take a look inside...

...and up.

Above the front doors in the choir loft.

This is the only Ukrainian church I've seen where the outer trim was a golden yellow colour.

The view from the main road.

I had only taken a few shots of the church when I heard a vehicle approaching on the trail from the west.  Three ladies in a one-ton truck stopped to talk...they'd been visiting family members in the cemetery and were off to join their living family members for a Saturday afternoon bar-be-que and reunion.  We had a nice chat and not only did they know of a few locations I had missed in my research, but we knew some of the same people.  Definitely an "it's a small world" experience.

Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Church and Cemetery is near Trembowla, Manitoba.

Photographed on July 23, 2022.

An Angel To Watch Over

An apt marker for those who work the land.

A spade and a combine (mounted on a drill bit) with an angel to watch over.

Photographed at Albion Cemetery near Deer Creek, Saskatchewan on June 28, 2022.

Leaves are Falling

When I stopped here five or six days ago there was only a fine scattering of leaves on the ground.

But today was a much different story...

...yellow leaves from the big old ash trees were everywhere.  Fall is here!

Photographed in Medicine Hat, Alberta on October 5, 2022.

Daisy and Sage

A couple of photos of my two favourite dogs.

Sage the Norwegian Elkhound would help me keep Saint Margaret's looking good while Daisy the Australian Shepherd still keeps me company while I'm gardening at her house.

Photographed at Saint Margaret's Church and Cemetery near Eagle Butte, Alberta on October 2, 2022.