Dragon

As I passed by Dan McCharles Park today I noticed there was a new resident: a dragon.

This is a chainsaw sculpture by Marina Cole and was completed in the past few weeks.

The raw material for the sculpture was the remains of a Dragon Spruce tree that was damaged by wind earlier this year.

Notice the little hook at the front angle on the wing. 

Note the "bearded old man" at the base.

Photographed in Medicine Hat, Alberta on September 17, 2020.

In the Valley

A Charolais bull taking it easy near one of the bridges along Seven Bridges Road in the Qu'Appelle Valley.

He seems to be having a quiet and relaxing morning.

Photographed near Lumsden, Saskatchewan on August 3, 2020.

Autumn Joy

One of the last flowers of the season to bloom and appropriately named "Autumn Joy."

Photographed at Linda and Lawrence's yard in Medicine Hat, Alberta on August 15, 2020.

Cudworth Train Station

The restored train station in Cudworth, Saskatchewan is now a museum.

The roof is covered in cedar shakes.

That appears to be a vintage "Rexall" sign.

The Wheatland Express Excursion Train was parked at the train station on this occasion.

Photographed on August 4, 2020.

Barn near Deer Valley

A huge old barn near Deer Valley, Saskatchewan.

It has certainly seen better days.

A number of support beams help to keep it upright.

Photographed on August 3, 2020.

Sunflowers

A field of sunflowers near Hilda, Alberta.

Sunflowers = Happy!

A showy display at half a mile wide by a full mile long.

Photographed on August 11, 2017.

Gotta Go!

Mom and Twin #1 had already hopped the fence and were off onto the grassy hillside.  A minute later, Twin #2 realized the situation and was quickly over the fence too.

Photographed at Daisy and Jesse's yard in Medicine Hat, Alberta on August 19, 2020.

Mystery Solved!

Larry, a blog reader from Minnesota, has identified the "Mystery" School in the previous post.  It was named Creekside School and built 1914.  Thank you Larry!

Photographed on November 25, 2018.

"Mystery" School

A "mystery" country school in Forthun Township, North Dakota.

The State Historical Society of North Dakota has done an excellent job of documenting their past but there seems to be no record of this school ever existing.  It's a mystery!

The building sits less than five miles south of the Saskatchewan/North Dakota border.

Forthun Township is thirty-six square miles of flat prairie farm land with a population of ten people, give or take.

Photographed on November 25, 2018.

Inside Saint Nicholas

An inside view of Saint Nicholas Church in the Qu'Appelle Valley.  Simple and spartan, charming and warm.

Look up...

The open beam rafters are the dominant indoor feature.

A plain plywood altar covered in deep green velvet.

A small and time-worn hand woven tapestry wall hanging above the pump organ.

This little country church is a "must see."

Photographed near Kennell, Saskatchewan on March 17, 2020.