Happy American Thanksgiving!

Let the festivities begin!

Photographed somewhere between Whitesand and Gorlitz, Saskatchewan on October 14, 2022.

Day Three - Saint Ascension

On Day Three I woke up early in Warman on a beautiful Thanksgiving Sunday morning.  After a cup of coffee and checking the weather forecast my "destination" for the day was clear...Saint Ascension at Maryville.  

A restaurant in the neighbouring town of Martensville was offering a Thanksgiving breakfast of oven-baked ham with eggs and toasted homemade bread...can't beat that so I packed up my things and arrived just as they were opening for the day.  It was just the best way to start the day.  (Good meals are a side-theme for this series of posts...or maybe you've noticed.)

I had stopped here a few times previously but this was my first visit in the fall season.  The green was fading to gold, the sun was lower in the sky creating shadows I hadn't seen before and it was a pleasure to see that someone still maintains the lawn in the churchyard and cemetery...not everyone has forgotten about Saint Ascension.

A stone cairn dedicated during the Saskatchewan Homecoming in 1971 stands in the small cemetery on the northern hillside of the church yard.  

After an enjoyable visit I was off to Nipawin to find a room for the night.  The resort hotel near the golf club had very nice rooms to offer at great rates being the "off" season.   Checked in, and when I dropped off my luggage I saw that the room had a balcony...nice bonus.

But, it was a little early to call it a day so I took a short trip into the country to catch a few of the sites before sundown.  Arriving back in town for supper I soon discovered that not much was open on a Thanksgiving Sunday in Nipawin so it was to the A&W for an Uncle Burger and root beer.  Finished the day with a drink out on the balcony while I watched a slideshow of photos on my laptop from the day's travels...and as always, Saint Ascension was my favourite stop for the day.

Rain was in the forecast...

Photographed at Maryville, Saskatchewan on October 10, 2022.

Day Two - Saint Volodymyr's Ukrainian Memorial Church

Day Two of my road trip started with me sleeping in late followed by a long leisurely breakfast.  After this slow but enjoyable start to my day I was on my way to Saskatoon (or thereabouts).

About two hours later I arrived at Saint Volodymyr's Ukrainian Memorial Church.  This outstanding structure is part of Saint Volodymyr's Ukrainian Catholic Eparchial Park.

I stopped here in mid-January of the previous year...but this time there was no snow making for a pleasant change in scenery.

Eye-catching details and views of this log church...built by true craftsmen in 1979.

The bell tower is home to a bell named "Andrew."

The walk back to the car...

...and the sign at the entrance to the park.

Saskatoon was only a half hour away but since I didn't want to deal with all that hustle and bustle I skirted around the city and checked into a motel north of town.  After a much needed nap I hopped into the car and explored the countryside until early evening.  Just as the sun was all but set I found what looked like a good restaurant and, as it turned out, was much better than that.  So far, luck was on my side....good food, good views and a comfy place to stay.  Can't ask for much more on a road trip, n'est pas?!       

Photographed near Vanscoy, Saskatchewan on October 9, 2022.

Day One - Fairacres School

The gardening season was over so one last road trip was in order before the onset of winter.  The eventual destination of the journey was Gimli, Manitoba but there was no rush...there are lots of places to see along the way.

On Day One I drove north from Medicine Hat, made a few stops in the Cappon area and then was off to the Cereal Hotel for a homemade burger.  After lunch I headed into the countryside northeast of Oyen for a return visit to Fairacres School.

It always looks stately, sturdy and strong no matter what the season.

And as a bonus, it has recently provided a home to a pair of hawks to raise their young.  

The school was originally located a few miles away; this sign marks the spot.

After a few more stops I was off to Kindersley for the night.  More to see in the morning.  

Photographed near Oyen, Alberta on October 8, 2022.

Meet One of My Neighbours

This big guy has been one of my neighbours for several years now.  (See that dark mark about three quarters of the way down his upper back?  He got that about four years ago...maybe a confrontation with another buck?  Regardless, he seems to be doing well and holding his own amongst the city dwelling deer.  Good for him!) 

But, it's now the middle of rutting season so he's pretty bossy.  Best to take Daisy for walks further out along the edges of town for the time being.  Avoiding encounters between dogs and deer is the best medicine.  Things will be back to normal in a few weeks.   

Photographed in Medicine Hat, Alberta on November 13, 2022.

A Beautiful Place out in the Country

A good friend and I had a nice time decorating Saint Margaret's Church for the Christmas season today.  It was one of those days when everything just "clicked," if you know what I mean.  Good times out in the country.

On my way home I decided to take the short detour off the main road to the Congregational Church at Gros Ventre-Tothill.  I hadn't seen it in a winter setting for a few years so it was a treat.  In my mind's eye it is simply a beautiful place out in the country.  Glad I took a few minutes out of my busy day for a visit.

Photographed near Tothill, Alberta on November 13, 2022.

Cenotaph Dedication

Today at 2:00 p.m. was the official dedication of the new cenotaph at Saint Margaret's Church and Cemetery. 

Approximately 35-40 people attended the unveiling on what turned out to be a gloriously warm and sunny day in the Cypress Hills.  Among those in attendance were war heroes, recent immigrants from Ukraine, a wine merchant, local folks, a bagpiper and a host of others.

Most importantly...thanks to everyone for remembering.

Photographed near Eagle Butte, Alberta on November 11, 2022.

Veteran Park

A special treat for Remembrance Day...a walk through Veteran Park in Baldur, Manitoba.

The "old folks" in town keep the park looking beautiful.  God bless them.

Photographed on August 18, 2022.

Remembrance Day

A cenotaph for "those who served" was recently installed at Saint Margaret's Church and Cemetery.

In remembrance...God bless them all.

Photographed near Eagle Butte, Alberta on October 2, 2022.

To Market, To Market...

"To market, to market, to buy a fat pig,

Home again, home again, jiggety-jig.

To market, to market, to buy a fat hog,

Home again, home again, jiggety-jog."

A farm sign south of Rosthern, Saskatchewan.

Photographed on October 9, 2022.