Stepping Stones

Some stepping stones placed around a grave in Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery.

It's always a joy to see these little personal touches in a country cemetery.

Tread softly.

Photographed near Smuts, Saskatchewan.

How Sweet It Is

Daisy and I went to Elkwater yesterday afternoon.  Even though it was snowing heavily at times, the roads were in good condition and the trip was uneventful, as they say.  We made a pit stop at her house to get a few treats and then went for a drive around town where she could sniff and smell to her heart's delight.  

I hadn't taken any pictures of her for awhile so, as they also say, there's no time like the present.  Back at her house I parked in the driveway where she gave me this "how sweet it is" look.  

Uh huh...she's pretty sweet.

It's good to have some canine company every so often.

Photographed in Elkwater, Alberta on March 26, 2023. 

Somewhere in Vulcan County

The open road...

A few photos from one of several road trips through Vulcan County in Alberta.  The fall weather was mild and most enjoyable on this occasion...a delightful time out in the middle of nowhere.      

The main subject of my trips through the area was to find the over one hundred signs posted at the locations of former pioneer schoolhouses.  I found most of them but think that maybe a few have been the victim of cultivators or other farm machinery.

One day I'll post pictures of the signs.  Many of them are of similar design but the landscape they inhabit is captivating to say the least (that's speaking as a prairie boy, of course).

Photographed on October 14, 2018.  

Flirting and Feeding

A pair of ducks flirting on the river.  My bet is there will be ducklings in the spring!

Meanwhile on the other side of the bridge...

...was this solitary duck...

...there she goes...

...on a deep dive to find some food...

...just ripples now...

...(cue the sorrowful despairing orchestral music like they do in nature films)...

...she's been underwater for almost a minute now...

...oh there she is...safe and sound!  Hope she found something good to eat.

I've always found the simple everyday routines of wild creatures so engrossing.  Each time is the same...but different.

Photographed at Finlay Bridge in Medicine Hat, Alberta on January 11, 2023.

Sunny Day

It's always nice to take a break from "the usual" and go for a day trip in the country...especially when the sun is shining, the sky is blue and the canola is in full bloom.

Photographed near Hilda, Alberta on July 14, 2020.

"Красиве місце в країні"

"A Beautiful Place out in the Country"

Had visited Saint Ascension earlier in the day but felt a need to return to soak up more of the ambient history later in the day.

Over the years I've visited many Ukrainian Orthodox churches but this is one of maybe half a dozen places where the spirits of the past come alive and the past lingers all these years later.  Quite a rare and joyful experience. 

Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Church was photographed at Maryville, Saskatchewan on August 7, 2020.

The Turner House

A visit to the remains of The Turner House.

Steel braces hold up the two remaining walls.  

With a little luck they'll stay upright for a many more years.

Thanks to those who have taken some time out of their day to help preserve this ol' girl. 

Photographed near Cessford, Alberta on March 17, 2023.

Rock Sculptures

A couple of rock sculptures south of Cessford, Alberta along Alberta Highway 886.

It's always good to see creativity alive and well in the middle of nowhere.

Photographed on March 17, 2023.

Sunset

Following my afternoon visit to Lac Qui Parle Church I was off to see a few sites in and around Torquay and then further south to take in an old cemetery  nearer the Canadian/American border.  Before I knew it, the sun was setting and it was time for me to head for Weyburn where I'd booked a motel for the night.

On my way to the highway I saw the church again, about a mile in the distance, but now enveloped in a purple and gold sky...a lovely way to end the day. 

Photographed near Torquay, Saskatchewan on October 17, 2017.

(More of) The Pink Church

Some photos of the The Pink Church have been previously posted to this blog but here is a deservingly more expansive view of both the church and cemetery.

On the north side of Fort Belknap Reservation, Montana stands Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Cemetery.  The church is known locally as The Pink Church.

The church and cemetery were established by Jesuit Priests in 1924.  Even though the church closed in the 1960's, the cemetery is still used to this day.  

I like the simple and often homemade memorials on the graves.  It's uplifting to see that those buried here are still remembered by their loved ones.  This is a beautiful place and the trip here is well worth it.

My visit reminded me of the adobe churches I saw some years ago in the southwestern U.S.A.  It would be right at home in southern New Mexico or Arizona.  The cemetery made me think of those I had seen in northern Mexico and it would feel right at home there.    

Photographed near Harlem, Montana on September 1, 2017.