The River Valley

The South Saskatchewan River Valley directly north of Prelate, Saskatchewan.

The "carpet of green" on the hillsides are wild junipers that smell like gin, fresh and aromatic.

Photographed on July 14, 2020.

Maple Tree School Sign

One of my "most photographed" school signs.

I've always liked the blue cattle-guard around the school sign, and in this case it contrasts brilliantly with the big yellow field in the background.

Photographed near Hilda, Alberta on July 14, 2020.

Winner Township School #1

Winner Township School #1 sits across the road from Bethel Cemetery in Williams County, North Dakota.

The intersecting roof lines create a covered entryway above a five-panel door.

The metal roof caps and finials are all still in place.  Notice how the roof slopes up at the base of the chimney...a nice touch.

I've seen this ball-shaped design of roof finial on a few dozen schools in nearby counties.  Simple and attractive.

These windows face east...

...and these face north.  At one time there was an addition opposite the entrance but all that remains of it is an outline on the wall.  What purpose this addition served remains a mystery.

I love this tiny round window below the roof peak on the west side...a touch of elegance.

When this school closed a somewhat larger school opened a few miles away.  You can see that one here:  Winner Township School #2

When I shot the photos of this school I was almost certain that it was another school entirely with a different name.  But some months later, while researching another road trip, I found documents online from the State Historical Society of North Dakota that listed all the pioneer schools in the state.  It turned out that I had mixed up the names and locations of two seemingly unrelated schools.    It's always a good idea to check and double check.  In this case a triple check didn't hurt.

Photographed near Appam, North Dakota on December 19, 2018.

Our Lady of Grace

A frosty winter day at Our Lady of Grace Cemetery near Castor, Alberta.

I couldn't resist taking some photos of the trees covered in heavy hoar frost.

A vast array of headstones large and small in a winter wonderland.

There is a driving trail through the cemetery.

A new addition to many of the larger prairie cemeteries is a columbarium as seen here just where the trail curves.

Photographed on February 25, 2020.

Sunbathing

On my way home from Saint Margaret's today I saw this guy sunbathing on Eagle Butte Road.

Photographed near Bullshead Reservoir, Alberta on July 12, 2020.

Family Pet Cemetery

For over twenty-five years I've been taking care of the trees at a ranch yard about twenty miles west of Medicine Hat, Alberta.  I was there early yesterday morning and the light was "just right" to take some photos of the family pet cemetery.

It was kind and generous as well as ardent and thoughtful for the family to create this beautiful little cemetery for the pets that helped make their lives better.

I am contented to say that I knew them all in their time.

Photographed on July 11, 2020.

Bison Yearlings

A dozen or so bison yearlings near Admiral, Saskatchewan.

They don't look nearly as menacing at this age as they will do in a few years.

Photographed on June 12, 2020.

Elim Lutheran

A tiny church with a well populated cemetery not too far away from Tiny, Saskatchewan.

My best guess is that the church would seat about fifteen souls.

Even though it's small it has a distinct entryway and belltower.

A wooden bench behind the church for a rest.

The grounds are well maintained and the headstones are mostly upright and in good condition.

Many of the headstones are recently new...folks remembering their ancestors.

My favourite photo of the church...simple and stark.

A brass plaque at the entrance to the grounds.

Elim Lutheran Church and Cemetery was photographed on December 12, 2019.

Poppies and Phlox

It's a wet and windy Wednesday so here are some poppies and phlox surrounded by hollyhock leaves to brighten up the day.

Photographed in Eastend, Saskatchewan on June 13, 2020.

Jet

Coming...

...and going.

Remember these?  Jets!

I spend much of my time outside and always enjoy seeing the vapour trails of jets off to exotic and faraway places.  Not so much anymore though...it's now a rare occasion.

I had been considering a trip to L'viv, Ukraine for this fall but that won't be happening, at least not anytime soon.  Maybe I'll have to settle for Vancouver (always a great place to visit in my opinion!).

The world has gone crazy so all one can do is to try to make the best of each and every day.

Photographed above Saint Demetrios Cemetery near Gorlitz, Saskatchewan.