Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Redvers Pool Elevator


One of very few grain elevators still bearing the large "Pool" logo.


I have no idea what that large rectangular object is that's attached to the side of the elevator.  Anyone know what it is?

Photographed in Redvers, Saskatchewan on August 16, 2022.

Monday, February 12, 2024

Wheat Stalks

Out for a drive with Miss Daisy...


It was a warm winter's day and while driving through the Connaught area of town I spotted this metal wheat sculpture.  An unexpected find in suburbia.  Nice!


I think Miss Daisy enjoyed her ride around town.  She had her window open, got a few treats and a tummy rub or two.  A lovely way for both of us to spend a Sunday afternoon.     

Photographed in Medicine Hat, Alberta on February 12, 2023.

Saturday, February 10, 2024

Flashback

This winter there's barely any snow at Saint Margaret's... 


...but this is what it looked like fifteen winters ago.  Lots and lots of snow.  Kids would have loved it!     

Photographed by David Carter near Eagle Butte, Alberta.

Thursday, February 08, 2024

Wednesday, February 07, 2024

Mechanics Keep the World Moving

The Rebillard's headstone in Haga Cemetery.

Mechanics...

...and songbirds.  Nice.

Photographed near Arborg, Manitoba on October 18, 2022.

Tuesday, February 06, 2024

Early Fall at the Arts Park in Boissevain

Something to brighten up a winter's day...





The Arts Park in Boissevain is a community green space wholly run by volunteers.  And even though it was getting late in the gardening season there was still plenty of greenery and blooms to see.  





A couple out for a walk stopped to say hello while I was enjoying the garden.  They said most of the volunteers were older folks but there had lately been some interest shown by a few youngsters.  Here's hoping all the generations can work together to keep this community garden beautiful for years to come.  





The thought and expression, creativeness, hard work and realisation shown here is above and beyond any expectations.  "Thank you" to all those who make our lives just a little bit brighter.

Photographed in Boissevain, Manitoba on September 15, 2023.

Monday, February 05, 2024

Abandoned Church in Larson


Have stopped in Larson several times over the years.  


This handsome, if neglected, old Lutheran Church is still holding its own.


A young hawk perched on top the spire...learning to fly. 


Photographed in Larson, North Dakota on September 14, 2023.

Thursday, February 01, 2024

Holy Ascension at Wasel




The area between Smoky Lake and Two Hills is rich in Ukrainian pioneer heritage.  Holy Ascension Russo Orthodox Church and Cemetery near Wasel is one of many I like to visit when in the area. 


The churchyard is a mile and a half north of the North Saskatchewan River and covers about eleven acres of land, making it one of the larger churchyards I've seen in my travels.  In most cases, the cemetery is directly beside the church but here it is on a raised plateau five hundred feet northwest of the church...just a nice walk on a fall day.  I love the view across the cemetery, past the church and over the vast prairie landscape.    




In past times being a member of a church congregation was an important part of life for most everyone...

...and since there were only monthly services conducted at Holy Ascension, a little girl named Matushka Vasylyna Ungurian would walk barefoot with her family over four miles north to Saints Peter and Paul at Dickie Bush to worship most every other Sunday.

Not many years later and all grown up, she married Vasyl Ostashek at Holy Ascension.  They homesteaded, farmed and raised a family near the church...and later on in life Vasyl became an ordained priest and he and Matushka served Holy Ascension along with several other nearby temples for the rest of their natural lives.  

Then at the age of one hundred and five years, Matushka joined Vasyl, who had passed away twenty years earlier, at her home church of Holy Ascension.  God bless them.  I love a happy ending. 


Walking barefoot all those miles?  That was in order to save her "Sunday best shoes."

Information courtesy of the Canadian Orthodox History Project.

Photographed near Wasel, Alberta on September 19, 2021.

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Farm House near Leeds


Large farm house, probably lots of kids and endless work on the farm.  

I wonder how often they had a chance to simply enjoy the view from the veranda?  Hope they made the time every once in a while.

Photographed near Leeds, North Dakota on September 16, 2023.

Saturday, January 27, 2024

Madoc School

The former school in Madoc, Montana.


Had a nice visit with a father and son who were repairing a truck in their garage a little ways down the street.  


There's not much left in Madoc; some abandoned buildings, vehicles and machinery, a pair of old grain elevators, the train hasn't passed through town in decades...and that's just the way they like it.


I took my leave just as they were being called in for lunch by the head of the house.

Photographed on September 16, 2023.