Killed by Lightning

This is the Ralph Pioneer Cemetery.

I grew up not far from Ralph but never knew of this little pioneer cemetery.  Over six years ago now I was on a trip through my old stomping grounds, and with some research and knowledge under my belt, set out to experience my past in a different light.

Five headstones remain in the tall prairie grass in the long abandoned cemetery but only three are identified; from the indentations and remnants of wooden crosses I discovered while walking through the cemetery, there are several more "unknown" graves.

Bernard Halbert Engelrup

February 14, 1916 - September 2, 1917

Audrey Miller

1934 - 1937

Charles Johnson

1852 - August 18, 1905

At the age of fifty-three he was struck and killed by lightning.

Photographed near Ralph, Saskatchewan on October 17, 2017.

International Peace Garden - Peace Chapel

The Peace Chapel is the only building I know of that stradles both the Canadian and American border.  

The chapel was dedicated in 1970 and completed just a few years later in 1972.  It is open year round but in winter it's best to phone ahead a few days in advance of your visit so arrangements can be made for snow removal.  Although the chapel is austere and designed as a formal space one can arrange for non-denominational services of a more personal nature to be conducted here...get married or buried or baptised...or maybe just get together with some friends and family to celebrate life and all it has to offer. 

The photos show the inner glow of the chapel in the early morning light on a lovely fall day.  It was nice to just sit down and enjoy life in the present, in peace.  

Photographed in Manitoba and North Dakota on September 17, 2023.

Tommy the Turtle

Tommy the Turtle greets visitors to the border town of Boissevain, Manitoba.  

He gets his name from the Turtle Mountains that span the Manitoba/North Dakota border just south of town.  The "mountains" are much like the Appalachians: expansive, forested, rolling hills.  Quite beautiful.

Say "Hi!" to Tommy when you're in town.

Photographed on September 17, 2023.

Winter at the Witch House

A visit to the witch house is always intriguing.  

Photographed near Dollard, Saskatchewan on January 24, 2022. 

Summerscape

Somewhere near Lothian, Saskatchewan...

I love summer on the prairies.

Photographed on August 4, 2020.

In Good Spirits

Update:  I'm sure anyone who reads this blog knows Dale Stewart and about the bad car crash he was in last weekend.  I'm in contact with him and he is in good spirits.  He'll be undergoing a fourth surgery at a different hospital tomorrow.  I wish him all the luck in the world. 

"Simply Ideal"

Photographed south of Vegreville, Alberta on January 5, 2019.

Some Bad News

Dale Stewart (aka BWBandy on his blog "The view from here") was in a bad car accident this past weekend.  He is pretty banged-up but currently in stable condition in the hospital.  It will be a long road to recovery.  Wish him well.

The accident was no fault of his own.

Saint Aidan and Saint Hilda at Rexboro

Tucked into a dense grove of trees is Saint Aidan and Saint Hilda Anglican Church and Cemetery.

The church was originally constructed of logs in 1910 with a belfry on the front corner of the building.  In 1914 a vestry was added, and three years after that, the original belfry was dismantled and a prominent central porch entrance and belfry was built.  

Also of note in the early years were the addition of horizontal tongue-in-groove boards to cover the interior walls and horizontal drop-siding on the outer walls.  As it now stands, you'd never know is was of log construction.  And something of a personal favourite is the cedar shake roof...a little something that adds a touch of charm to this handsome historical building.  

And last but not least, and as is seldom the case, the church was established before the cemetery with the earliest burial in 1912.

Information courtesy of Canada's Historic Places.      

Photographed at Rexboro, Alberta on February 22, 2021.

Happy Valentine's Day

Johnny Jump Ups may be an understated way celebrate Valentine's Day, but pretty sweet.

Photographed in Medicine Hat, Alberta on May 24, 2020.