Wall of Bales

From this past fall...a wall of golden straw bales near Sylvan, Manitoba.  This is the most captivating display of bales I've seen in recent history...modern art at its best in the prairie landscape.

Photographed on September 23, 2023.

Sunny Afternoon

On my way back home later in the day I stopped to see the little fallen down church again...this time in the sunshine. 

Congregational Church was photographed near Gros Ventre-Tothill on March 14, 2024.

Foggy Morning

Was out to Saint Margaret's to help take down the Christmas decorations a few days ago.  There were patches of fog along the way there making for a new photo opportunity when I stopped the little fallen down church...I'd never seen it in a foggy landscape before.  Enjoy!

Congregational Church was photographed near Gros Ventre-Tothill on March 14, 2024.

Aldag S.D. No. 1361

A monument at the former location of a one-room schoolhouse in southern Saskatchewan.

"Construction of the Aldag School began in 1912 - completed in 1913.  Enrollment varied from 7 to 35 pupils.  The building was used for church services, dances, card parties and public meetings.  On June 10, 1966 a decision was made to close the school.  The students were bussed to Gull Lake."

As an aside...I grew up on a small farm near the town of Midale in the southeast corner of Saskatchewan.  Through the years the one-room school there was replaced first by a two storey brick building, then by a modern school built circa 1960.  I started school in the new building in 1962 and completed Grade 12 in 1974 in the new wing that had been added circa 1967 to the modern school.  And, believe it or not, the school is still thriving to this day.  A rare thing indeed in this day and age.  Midale has a population of about five hundred and fifty people.      

Photographed near Gull Lake, Saskatchewan on June 17, 2023.

Chickens

One of my first jobs as a kid on the farm was to collect the eggs laid by the hens.  My mom always liked white chickens and this was, at the very least, a fond memory.  And as everyone knows, fresh eggs are the best. 

Photographed in Margaret, Manitoba on October 16, 2022.

Straw Bales

Photographed near Grove Park, Manitoba on October 15, 2022.

On the Beach

Photographed on the shores of New Iceland, Manitoba on September 22, 2023.

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.