Prickly Pear Cacti

Some prickly pear cacti on a hillside in Medicine Hat, Alberta.  I love the waxy yellow flowers.

Photographed on June 24, 2020.

Ravenscrag Church

I've driven through southwest Saskatchewan on dozens of occasions but not until a recent trip did I decide to drive into the pioneer town Ravenscrag.  And I'm glad I did!

I love finding an old church in these forgotten places.  This is Ravenscrag Anglican Church and is in pretty good condition.  The inside is spartan but really quite welcoming.

Anglican churches often have interior roof trusses and this one is no exception.

This lovely stencil of grape vines is used as a wall decoration throughout the church.

I sent a few photos of the church to my friend David Carter to see if he was familiar with it.  As it turns out...this was part of his dad's parish from 1934 to 1937.  Over fifty years later David himself took a Christmas service here in 1993.
 
Photographed on June 12, 2020.

In the Hills

A winding road through the hills northwest of Eastend, Saskatchewan.

These gray-leaved shrubby plants are wolf willows.

The multitude of tiny yellow flowers fill the countryside with a sweet and alluring fragrance.

Greenery is abundant here this spring.

Photographed on June 13, 2020.

Bicker Township School

This school may appear small but it's bigger than it looks.  It would accommodate at least fifty students.

There are a few schools of similar design nearby but this one is pretty sweet all on its own.

Sign the blackboard.

Norman Church can be seen just down the road.

Glass block is a common feature in many schools in northwest North Dakota.

A simple and elegant belltower...complete with bell!

This school must have been built particularly well.  Everything is very straight and sturdy, chimney is still in one piece and the belltower shows no sign of stress (those bells are heavy!).  Kudos to the builders for a lasting historical landmark.

Photographed near Bicker, North Dakota on December 18, 2018.

Estuary S.D. No. 3387

A cairn in Estuary, Saskatchewan where the school once stood.

Just north of Estuary is a small cable ferry that crosses the South Saskatchewan River.  The trip takes less than five minutes.  It's fun and it's free.

Photographed on June 2, 2017.

Prairie Rose

My favourite rose of all time...simple and fragrant.

Photographed near Maple Creek, Saskatchewan.

Bethel Lutheran Church

A lovely country church near Fosston, Saskatchewan.

There is a cemetery just west of the church.  About one third of the grounds behind the church are covered by native aspen trees.

The oversize bell tower is a standout!

Most of the names on the headstones are of Norwegian descent.

Photographed on March 18, 2020.

Sage

Sage lived with David Carter out in the west end of the Cypress Hills at Saint Margaret's Church where Sage allowed David to be his pack leader.  He was quite a sweetheart and if he really liked you he'd let you give him a tummy rub.

Sage would keep an eye on me while I was weeding and gardening around the church...that is, until a ground squirrel would pop up it's head and then he'd be off on a chase.

Sadly, about a month ago Sage was attacked and killed by a cougar about three times his size.  He didn't have a chance. I miss seeing him on my trips out to the church.  His ashes will be both spread and buried in the cemetery there.  Sage was only five years old.

His spirit is now guardian of Saint Margaret's for all time.

The wonderful photos of Sage shown here were taken by Geneviève Côté in late June and early July of 2018.  I thank her deeply for capturing Sage at his most natural.

Whew!  That was a long way to the top of the hill!

Sage overseeing his domain.

David Carter has written a booklet for children of all ages about Sage and will soon be available on his website here: https://djcarter.ca/

If you're in Medicine Hat you can often find David at the Farmer's Market on Saturdays at the Cypress Centre but...funerals at the cemetery take precedence over market appearances.  Proceeds from the sale of the booklet will go to support the SPCA and Saint Margaret's Church and Cemetery (a non-profit organisation).

Love your pet!  Hug indiscriminately.

Thomson Ranch Gate

A big chunky ranch gate near the entrance to the Centre Block of the Cypress Hills in Saskatchewan.

Photographed on June 12, 2020.

Rock Weather

Who needs a weather app when you can have one of these?

Simple and straightforward.

Photographed near Maple Creek, Saskatchewan on June 13, 2020.