"Щасливого Різдва!"

"Merry Christmas!"  

If you're familiar with the Julian calendar you'll know that today is Christmas Day. 

The old bell house comes home...

The original Saint Elias Church was completed in 1904 with the interior being painted and decorated the following year.  In 1906 the bell house you see in the photos here was built and fitted with two bells.

In 1954, only  six years after being completely renovated, the church caught fire on Christmas Day.  Although the church couldn't be saved, many of the contents were rescued from the flames.  The cause of the fire was never established but plans to build a new church were immediately undertaken and by that summer building was well underway.  

During construction of the new temple it was also decided to build a new bell house.  The original bell house, sans bells, was in time donated to the Shandro Museum where it stood untouched for well over six decades.  I don't know the specifics but somewhere along the line the museum closed and all of the historic buildings on the grounds, including the old bell house, were left to languish.

Then someone at the church had a great idea...let's bring the old bell tower home!  And that's exactly what happened.  The newer bell house was dismantled, a new concrete pad was poured for the return of the old bell house and by late 2021 the old bell house was back home...complete with red bows for Christmas.  Enjoy!

Historical information courtesy of the Canadian Orthodox History Project with a special thanks to Ron Rosychuk.

Saint Elias Ukrainian Orthodox Church and bell house were photographed near Pakan, Alberta on February 28, 2022.

Reesor Lake

Some shots of Reesor Lake taken about three months ago.  The combination of colours, light and reflections were captivating to say the least.  Enjoy!

Photographed in the Cypress Hills of Alberta on October 3, 2022.

A Collection of Favourites

A collection of personal favourites from the past year.

Windflowers near Andrew, Alberta.

June 26, 2022

A Richardson's ground squirrel near Eagle Butte, Alberta.

June 12, 2022

Native ferns near Somme, Manitoba.

August 21, 2022

Flax flowers at Tompkins, Saskatchewan.

July 21, 2022

Mister "Fetch" Dog near Stone, Saskatchewan.

May 9, 2022

Mama goose and goslings at Medicine Hat, Alberta.

May 14, 2022

Wildflowers near Trembowla, Manitoba.

July 23, 2022

Cotoneaster berries in Glenboro, Manitoba.

August 17, 2022

A frog near Senkiw, Manitoba.

August 22, 2022

Just before sunrise at Gimli, Manitoba.

October 20, 2022

A pair of thirteen-lined ground squirrels near Olha, Manitoba.

July 27, 2022

The guardian of Allandale School near Dakota Plains, Manitoba.

August 16, 2022

Goldenrod near Parkman, Saskatchewan.

August 16, 2022

Frozen Elkwater Lake at Elkwater, Alberta.

November 25, 2022

Native tiger lilies near Sirko, Manitoba.

August 21, 2022

A tree squirrel in Elkwater, Alberta.

October 3, 2022

Horseshoe Canyon lookout near Elkwater, Alberta.

October 3, 2022

Mama Blue Jay in Medicine Hat, Alberta.

June 20, 2022

Daisy near Tothill, Alberta.

October 2, 2022

That's it!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from Saint Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Yorkton, Saskatchewan.

Photographed on December 17, 2019.

Season's Greetings

A vintage tractor, a flower and a snowman...Season's Greetings from the Eccleston's Farm.

Photographed near Stone, Saskatchewan on January 24, 2022.

Daisy on the Dock

A couple of photos from a stay at Daisy's house in Elkwater about a month ago.  We were walking out on the docks and she was gracious enough to stop for a few moments so I could take some photos.  

The breeze was awfully cold so we were soon back at the house where it was warm and comfy.  She was soon flaked out from her adventure, as was I.

Photographed in Elkwater, Alberta on November 25, 2022.

Day Sixteen - Snow Storm

Looking out the window of the motel the next morning I was greeted by wet blowing snow coming down at a forty-five degree angle...better get moving.  I packed up quickly then dashed down to the breakfast room for a bite where, needless to say, no one looked very happy about our weather predicament.  The television was tuned to a weather station that was forecasting winter storm conditions all across the prairies.  But there was a tiny highlight...the motel had the same great little wraps as always and they were delicious as ever; I ate two and grabbed another two for the road.

Loaded my luggage and cleaned the snow off the car then went back to the motel lobby to get a coffee to go.  Out of the parking lot and onto the bypass road then exit onto the Trans Canada Highway heading west.  The driving lane had a few tires tracks but the passing lane showed no signs of traffic in the four or five inches of fresh slush...the visibility was about half a mile at best.  Hmmm...this was not going to be a fun day on the road but, I'd driven in worse, so on with the show.

The drive from Moose Jaw to Swift Current usually takes a little over an hour and a half on a good day but since this was rather a bad day it took over three hours.  Along the way I passed by a couple of semis that were jack-knifed in the ditch, came upon a few overly cautious drivers, was passed by a few lunatic drivers as well as half a dozen semis that kicked up so much wet snow that I couldn't see a thing for several seconds (that's always frightening) but I made it to Swift Current and in one piece.  It was still snowing and blowing...nothing had changed in that respect.

I didn't need gas but always feel safer getting back on the road with a full tank.  After filling up I picked up a burger at a drive-thru, which I ate quickly, and got back on the road.  About ten miles west of Swift Current I tuned into a local radio station that informed me that the highway between Swift Current-Moose Jaw-Regina-Indian Head had been closed until further notice.  "Missed me by that much!" as Maxwell Smart used to say.

During the next hour the road conditions improved slightly.  When I reached Gull Lake there were several police cars parked alongside the bypass roads on both sides of highway and I never like the look of that.  There hadn't been an accident so there was only one thing they had in mind and that was to close down the highway.  Thank you again Max!

Not far west of Gull Lake the wind calmed a little as did the snowfall but this was not the time to get overconfident (like the guy in the ditch I just passed).  Being somewhat stressed out from the day's drive plus a lead foot never make a good combination.  Slow and steady wins the battle so I understand.

Over the next hour there were vast improvements in the weather and road conditions.  I passed by the Maple Creek exit...only about sixty miles to go.  Conditions steadily improved and within half an hour everyone was traveling at the speed limit or more.  Checking local radio again the highway was now closed from the Maple Creek exit all the way east of Indian Head.  Luck was with me.  

By the time I was home and unpacked the snow was again coming down heavily (as it did for the next two days).  After an attempt at a short nap it was time for supper...there's a great little take-out pizza place only three blocks from my place.

My last long road trip of the year was over...and it was nice to be home.

No photographs were taken on October 23, 2022. 

Day Fifteen - Sad Day

My plan to drive from Dauphin to Moose Jaw on Day Fifteen included a short visit with a farmer I had met near Dauphin about three months previous as well as a couple of detours to see a few favourite country churches.  Once I'd paid for the room and said good-bye to the receptionist I was on my way downtown to pick up a breakfast sandwich then park in my usual spot at the church to eat.  

I had met Ernie via his son while I was photographing the church and cemetery near the family farm.  He showed me around the beautiful Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orothodox Church that he planned to fully restore.  At that time he had just come home from the hospital and was somewhat frail, he needed his strength so we kept the visit short.  I'd promised to visit again before winter so I drove out to his farm near Keld.

Not far from the farm I met his daughter and her husband who were transporting horses back to their ranch.  She informed me that Ernie was not doing so well and that if I wanted to see him I should do so now but to keep it brief.  Ernie's wife answered the door...she looked worried and tired.  I did my best to put on a brave face when Ernie came into the room...he was not looking well at all so we spoke only for a few minutes...our words seemed to just hang in the air.  Saying our goodbyes and blessings I took my leave.  If ever a miracle was needed it was now.

Back in the car I quickly realized I needed to collect my thoughts so I pulled off the road at the cemetery just down the road from Ernie's farm just to sit for awhile.

Okay...time to go. 

Drove straight through to Rhein, Saskatchewan where I paid a lengthy visit to Kaplychka.  There was a bit of a breeze but as the grounds are completely surrounded by trees it was very pleasant within the churchyard....nice place to contemplate life and death and everything that happens in between.  

Then I drove directly to Melville, Saskatchewan to snap a few photos of the stately Byzantine church of Saint Mary's...always an agreeable sight, uplifting.

I was soon back on the road and on the way to Moose Jaw.  Along the way I called my brother in Regina with an invitation for supper where we both had steaks and did some catching up.  Back at the motel I checked the weather forecast...snow, and lots of it, was coming my way.     

 

Kaplychka (Holy Ascension Orthodox Chapel and Cemetery) was photographed near Rhein, Saskatchewan and Saint Mary the Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Church was photographed in Melville, Saskatchewan on October 22, 2022.

Day Fourteen - Hecla Island

Was packed and ready to go soon after 9:00 a.m. the next morning.  I had listened to the weather report the previous evening and it sounded like winter was heading my way so it was time to head back to southeastern Alberta.  But before that I wanted to make a short detour to Hecla Island.  And even before that I needed a hearty breakfast so I walked the few blocks to the cafe in the old Gimli Hotel where a banner outside the front door declared: home cooked meals.  A Denver omelette sounded like the perfect way to start the day.

After a hearty and delicious breakfast I was on my way to Hecla Island.  Most likely the biggest difference between Hecla Island now and fifty years ago is the causeway.  Many years ago you needed to ride the ferry across to the island but now all you need to do is hop in your car and drive there.  Even with the new ease of travel, the island still seems to be a pretty laid back place.  I didn't make it up to the northeastern tip of the island but that's just the perfect reason for a return visit.  Enjoy the photos!

By the time I finished my tour of the island it was almost 2:00 p.m. and the closest town with restaurants was Riverton, about twenty minutes away.  As it turned out there were two restaurants side-by-side on Main Street...hmmm...toss a coin?  Better yet, ask that couple who were walking by on the street.  Once they knew I wanted fish and chips they both turned and pointed to the same place with a nod of their heads.

The waitress took my order almost as soon as I sat down and in no time I was eating the best fish and chips I'd had in years.  The fish was yellow pickerel (also known as walleye) and had been caught in the lake just that morning.  It was so good in fact I ordered one more piece...and they didn't even charge me extra for it!  A rare event like that calls for nice big tips for both the waitress and the cook.

Then it was onward to Dauphin and my home away from home at the motel there.  Had a nice visit with the desk clerk and after checking into my room went out for spaghetti and meat balls.  The night air had a definite nip to it.      

Photographed in Hecla-Grindstone Park and The Village of Hecla on Hecla Island, Manitoba on October 21, 2022.