And here we are. It's January 13th, & New Years Eve for me! I choose to celebrate the Julian calendar New Years, Malanka, because I enjoy having the time to truly review & give thanks for my past year without the buzz of the "holiday" season. Tonight is my final blog post about my "Last Saskatchewan Summer", & will be my last tale of my "old" life. I thought an excellent way to commemorate this would be to give a "tip of the hat" to Saskatchewan's Natural History. This summer I visited the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, & what an amazing eye opening experience it was! Saskatchewan's natural history is as amazing as the history of the people who live there. The things I learned while at the RSM were definitely something to take notice of. The amazing animals that walked the land before Saskatchewan became the landscape we truly know today was eye opening. Learning at one point Saskatchewan was an inland sea & had one of the most interesting fish swimming in the waters that covered the province was one of the highlights of my time there. Just after that entrance, there was the chance to be able to touch one of the displays which made the inner child inside of me smile, on the outside. The amazing collection, & wealth of information was more than I could have asked for. To learn the details of Saskatchewan's development as an adult was worth the visit. I loved getting the chance to walk through Saskatchewan's history. Learning about the animal development, & then getting to experience displays that walked you through the people of Saskatchewan's land history was eye opening. The RSM really takes you for a walk through history, & you feel like you're transported through time. This walk through time then transitions to a walk through the ecosystems of Saskatchewan. Each display taking you through one unique habitat to another. You not only walk through time, but through places. One of the most inspiring aspects that I am glad I got a chance to see before they have been changed was the displays themselves. The amazing artwork that it took to create the murals, & displays, made my inner artist vibrate. A new life goal has been set for myself as I figured out one of the directions I would LOVE to take my work. It would be such an honor to be able to create displays like the one's displayed at the RSM. Displays that literally make you feel like you're in the ecosystem they are displaying to you is an under appreciated art form. In my Last Saskatchewan Summer I couldn't think of a better way to experience "Saskatchewan" before I got in my leaving truck. Through the amazing information & displays, I was transported to some of my favorite parts of Saskatchewan without leaving Regina. A chance I was unable to coordinate between work, farm, family time, & rodeo. I am thankful that there are spots in Regina that can introduce & immerse people into parts of Saskatchewan if they are unable to make it outside Regina's city limits. Though the ending is a lot more thought provoking than I expected to find, as a question of our future is posed. I walked through it & thought of my own consumerism, my own footprint. Am I doing enough? Am I treading lightly? What does the future hold for these beautiful landscapes that I love & devote my life to protecting? A question of "what would my future be", well I couldn't think of a better way to end this post. 2016 truly starts for me in the morning & I have no idea what this next year will bring. I am excited at the prospect of the brand new adventure. I am excited to start telling the tale of my "new life" here in the Northern Prairies. This past year I didn't do a lot of planning as a lot of my life was out of my control it seemed in 2015. I guess life wanted to tell me to relax, & teach me to be flexible. I am going to take some of those lessons forward in 2016. I do know however, I want to make the most of this next adventure. It's a wide open world out there, & as John Muir has been quoted "The world is big and I want to have a good look at it before it gets dark.” .... well I would say I want to do the same. So good-bye 2015, & my beloved Saskatchewan. It has been an eye opening adventure, & it is time for this girl to move on to the next one. But don't worry Saskatchewan, my future will involve many planned visits to make sure I stay centered, focused, & most of all.. reminded that the world is a wide open place & the sky isn't a limit, but instead it is home. ** All copyright to displays to the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, & their creators. My photos are only there to give a glimpse of the displays & to help encourage visits. Please take the time to visit, & donate, to keep this provincial treasure open & doing their excellent work (including research work).
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This summer I was lucky enough to get the chance to spend time with some of my favorite people at a couple of my favorite events of the summer. My summer employment was flexible enough to allow me to get to these events, & I am very grateful for it. My Last Saskatchewan Summer would not have been complete without the experiences the Eastside Heritage Horse Show, or the Twin Valley Bullarama & Rodeo. The horse show, as previous years, was a great time. It was great to be able to catch up with everyone & the weather seemed to hold pretty good compared to the year before. The turn out was great, & it was awesome to see everyone do so well with all their horses. There was excellent talent there, & it was great to catch all the events. It was also great to meet some new people as the horse show this year was co-hosted with the Good Spirit Riding Club. It truly seemed like a great event & I encourage anyone that loves horse shows to go check it out. The Sabre Quarter horse ranch was an excellent host, & everything seemed to run smoothly (with excellent effort from some amazing volunteers). Then a few more weeks passed in the summer, & I found the end of summer coming way to quickly. However, that summer was going to end with a BANG! Instead of packing I found myself rushing out after my last official day of work for the summer to Lee's rodeo grounds to take up my spot next to the arena. The Twin Valley Bullarama & Rodeo, is one of my favorite parts of summer. But shh, don't tell Range Boss... I may already be trying to figure out my holiday-days at work to find myself back there for 2016. I got to enjoy one of my favorite events this year that I haven't seen since I was out in British Columbia... the Wild Horse Race. The teams did a good job putting on a great show as they managed to get the horse saddled & rode. The one teams facial expressions that I caught on my camera will go down as some of my favorite rodeo pictures to date. The smoke was in the air again as the fires in Northern Saskatchewan kept burning. The smoke, the dust & the people sure made for some excellent photographs that day. The determination in the riders of every age was great to catch on lens, & the supportive crowd was great to be surrounded by. The time I spent with all the great people I met through the Twin Valley Riding Club will be something I miss the most. Those times will hold some of my greatest memories, & finding a new club to fill the void that now exists in my daily life where Twin Valley existed will be challenging. I have hope that I will find a new one, but I also don't plan on ever truly giving up that spot in my life. So we shall see how the next year pans out as I begin to network, & make new connections. I will admit I have been slow, but now that 2016 is here, & I am looking at how fast summer is approaching... well, maybe things will change. It is amazing what can happen in just one day, & what going to one event (like an Equine Extravaganza) can do to change a person's life. I am optimistic for the moment that will happen for me in my new place, & can't wait to share the life that comes along with that change. My New Years Eve is tomorrow, & 2016 will be full here come Thursday... I can't wait to see what the New Year has in store for me!
So it is a Monday night & as my New Years pulls closer I find myself going over memories from the summer. There is one specific one that sticks out in my head tonight, on this Memories Monday. It was when my family & I decided to go back to Riding Mountain National Park this past summer. On a whim, & a quick change in our family vacation plans we found ourselves in a new direction & packed up to enjoy an oTentik. *Side Note: if you ever have the chance to camp in one of them, please do it. You will not be sorry!* This spur of the moment trip that got planned, when we realized our original family vacation for the summer wouldn't work out, was a lesson in taking a moment to remember. That is because while planning the trip we realize that it was 18 years since we had last visited the park. My mother & I pulled out the old photo album & began to share memories of that amazing first "big & full" family vacation. As we went through the old photographs we thought back to the old memories & noted which spots we would have to stop again in. Upon entering the park from the original direction we first visited it in it was like a case of extreme deja vu. However, for me, that would be replaced with a sense of accomplishment & pleasant realizations on how far I had I come in those past 18 years. As we toured through the park I tried to bring up all the old memories I could of who I was, what I felt back then while being in the park, & what all that meant to me now. It was a very pleasant, & accomplished, feeling to realize that I was now visiting this park while also being a Parks Canada employee. As I explored all the different parts of the park I began to think more, & it was one of the most eye opening trips of a lifetime. Sometimes the best thing a person can do is take a break & find somewhere they can walk in the shoes of their own at a different time in life. You stop to take notice of things you didn't the time before. Admittedly I was too young to appreciate what an amazing & unique place the park was. I didn't understand the importance of the geology or history it now held (being the last national park to be decorated by the gate displayed in the first photo). As we toured around the east part of the park exploring the history, & taking in a road side view from the escarpment, I took in the views in a way I never would have understood in my young age. I am glad I got the chance to re-experience this spot & take notice of something I missed the time before. That moment of awe was repeated later as we toured around the park with the help of our great guide during one of the driving/walking tours of the park. The little spots we were taken to in the park & the details about the ecosystem & history of park development were appreciated in a whole new way. The hike, & drive, with guide was excellent in itself. However now being a graduate of a Wildlife & Fisheries Management program, along with the beginning of a working career in grassland (along with watershed) conservation, it gave me a whole new set of eyes. Now I understood the importance of the history found in the fun bison song that explained the expansion of the native wild bison herd in the park. Along with understanding the incredible uniqueness & importance of protecting the ecologically diverse spot that the park is founded on. I was able to pick out the amazing native wildlife flowers that were growing in every spot we visited, & I was often left behind the group as I tried to grab photos of these treasures. Riding Mountain National Park is an excellent spot to go capture photographs of some of the unique & beautiful wildflowers that grow within Canada. The park is full to the brim with moments that you can get the chance to see the many amazing parts of nature that make Canada unique. Some of these have to do with the things on the smaller size, but it also includes the large ones as well. Keep your eyes out while camping you might just notice a Black Bear, or while driving/walking through the park you may notice Moose, or Deer. The park is home to hundreds, & even thousands, of the amazing animals that make Canada their home. Of those animals, that also includes the amazing Bison. These amazing animals are healthy & strong at Riding Mountain National Park, & other Parks Canada sites in Canada. They have to be one of my favorite wild animals, & the reason for that is simple. Every ecosystem needs that one "superstar" animal to help promote awareness for it. The prairies, & more importantly the grasses, have the bison to speak for them. Though there is two types of bison out there, the wood & plains, & I have a passion for both species. Each one speaks specially to the ecosystems they are attached to, & speak for conservation of the grasslands they feed on. Every chance I get to be able to spot true, wild descendants, of our native bison populations I jump at immediately. Though I have nothing against our domesticated stock (I actually am quite in love with them), it is amazing to see where they started from. Including getting the chance to be able to watch & analyze how much has, & has not, changed. I will admit I owe my family a lot on this trip & that they allowed me the chance I got to see the beautiful creatures. I forced my family up early in the morning so we could get out there to see them before the descended into the trees to take cover from the heat of the day. As we made our way into the viewing platform of course I made notice of the sign that discussed bison conservation. Though it is something of a good conservation tale that we have been able to bring bison numbers back from the brink. That good tale is only half of the real story. You see, their habitat is not as lucky. The habitat that supported many of these great creatures over vast miles is very small in amounts in our current world. Looking at grassland ecosystems as a whole only 25% of them remain. If one actually looked at every grassland eco-type as they looked at specific tree habitats in the forest, then there are ecosystems that have 5% or less left. It is a great to know that Parks Canada is taking a step foreword in the protection of these unique habitats & the animals that exist within them. I am truly thankful for all those that put the effort in to study, & assess these cultural gems (furred & otherwise). This trip truly reminded me why I have taken the path in life I have chosen. How I ended up in university in a Wildlife & Fisheries Management program rather than an agriculture centered related field of study. I can only hope that if I had the chance to run into the young girl I was the first time I visited that park that she would look back at me proud of where this life path has taken me. I can say I can't wait until the next time I get to explore this amazing park, & that I look forward to accomplishing my "bucket list" goal of visiting every National Park in Canada. I am excited to see what other wonders await me at the other Parks within Canada, & what inspiration will hit me there.
As I close this blog I must strongly urge you if you haven't visited a Parks Canada National Park or Historic Site that you add it to a "must do" to your summer adventure list. I am thankful everyday for the forethought of the people who conserve these spaces & tend to them for future generations to enjoy. Each one protects at least one unique Canadian gem, & each gem deserves to be seen. Also, if you enjoyed the wildlife photos seen in this blog, & would like to try your hand at some, please first do some reading to ensure the safety of yourself & the animals your photographing. A great place to start would be here (Parks Canada specific rules), here (National Geographic), here & here. As always I found myself hanging on the edges of the rodeo arena as much as I could. Unfortunately, it meant only two photographing opportunities. Due to work commitments & trying to fit in every possible thing I wished to accomplish I found my summer days running out before I could catch up. On the bright side I spent them at two of my favorite rodeos. To kick off my summer season I found myself at Pilot Butte Rodeo. I can always count on a great time there, & was glad to find myself in those windy stands. As always it provided a challenging day as Mother Nature couldn't decide if she wanted to storm, or be sunny. Thankfully for me she only wanted to be a little windy, & push tons of clouds across the sky. It meant that I could catch all the action without being chased out by the rain. The animals were in good spirits, & the constants did a excellent job showing off their best in the wind. It was an excellent way to spend an afternoon with my "partner in crime". I was able to catch a glimpse of Randy Lewis (Lewis Images) doing his thing and as always I found myself imagining what it would be like to have rodeo photography be a bigger part of my life. Then later in the year I couldn't miss Whitewood rodeo, & so I rushed from my work shift to get my butt down to the Whitewood rodeo grounds. I don't know if it is because the rodeo is in August or not, but I find myself making Whitewood rodeo the top of my list of favorites. I always have a great time, & there is something about the timing of the whole rodeo. Nothing beats watching a rodeo in the golden hour; just wish I had a camera/lens capable of capturing better photographs in the low light so I could capture the bulls. Even though my Last Saskatchewan Summer only featured two rodeo photographing opportunities, there was a lot of great times that were had. I do wish I could have had a chance to photograph more, but I guess it just means I got a new region, & associations, to explore. However, I just might have to organize my holidays back to Saskatchewan around the rodeo schedule. I guess we shall see what the new year brings when it comes around, but either way I am excited at the prospect of it.
It's the beginning of January, & with it has come the cold temperatures. So I thought it was time to share some images that should hopefully make you as "warm & fuzzy" on the inside as they made me. Of course my Last Saskatchewan Summer included some much needed time out on the farm. I was lucky enough to be able to explore not only my own, but also had a few people welcome on to their farm. I learnt a lot this summer as I explored different places than my own, & different from this previous years. From seeding right to harvest there was a blossoming of color that painted every subject I looked at this summer. I was able to get out to experience a branding day yet again this year. This time at a brand new location & where I got witness an actual fire brand placed. The calves as always were cute & there were many moments that will fill my memories for sure. The landscape I got to experience it in was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. It could not have been a better place to experience a branding in my Last Saskatchewan Summer. The family was very welcoming & I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. To be honest I would love to head back to that property to explore it more, & to capture more of the beauty that I saw in the amazing place. The summer went from one burning smell to another one entirely. With the fires burning in the forest to the North, Southern Saskatchewan was covered in a smokey haze. As the canola bloomed it created a very interesting look on the landscape. It was haunting in it's beauty. Made a person all to aware that there is more to Saskatchewan than the open fields & pastures. It reminded me of the Saskatchewan North; the trees, & the people. The smoke subsided though, & beautiful unfiltered summer colors blossomed through. Fields, pastures, flowers, & gardens bloomed with flowers of color that tempted a person to think that perhaps just this summer will stick around at least just a little bit longer. I enjoyed taking in these landscapes as I traveled back & forth from one destination to another. Of course I had to take up my seat next to our yearly oat crop & soak up the sun, barefoot & all. My ShadowDuring this exploring at the farm however, you will notice I had a new little friend. At the beginning of July my life was changed in a great way as I welcomed my Shadow into my life. I am now the happy owner of one full of energy, smart, pile of love of a dog. A mix of breeds my little farm dog became my walking partner, & I soon found a lover of alfalfa, & plants, as well. The little lady girl at the farm found herself with a new, & fast growing, playmate to explore the farm with. He was a happy addition, & one I am glad to have chewing away on one of his toys, ready for adventure, while I write this. As always the the colors did change, & soon I found myself enjoying the onset of harvest colors as August found it's way into my life. I am so glad I got to enjoy my favorite month in some of my favorite places. Watching the harvest come & begin (& end on our farm) made me ready for a change. However, I will forever miss seeing the simple beauty that is to be found in the month of August in Saskatchewan. Perhaps, I will need to request from Range Boss some time during August so I can still enjoy it no matter how short. So closes Part 3 of my Last Saskatchewan Summer, & I come closer to starting to tell tales of my new life in the Northern Prairie. I am excited to know, that as I leave these Saskatchewan prairie scenes behind I will fill my life with new ones to experience in this upcoming year. I am excited to see what this summer holds as the region I have settled into is home to the largest agricultural region in British Columbia (with close to 2.5 million acres in production). I am sure to enjoy all that agriculture has to offer, however in a nifty Northern package. I am excited to see if I will love August as much as I loved it back at home, or if a new month will claim my heart. So many new adventures to be had alongside the comforting scenes of "home" (i.e. agriculture). Agriculture will always be my "culture", & I am glad I get to see the many sides to it as I do. I am truly lucky to be able to experience things most people are removed from (sometimes by generations). It is my blessing, & my passion.
As we all settle back into our routine after the holiday season I am sure you, like myself, are finding yourself back at work. I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to tell you all about the amazing experience I had this summer. I got a call on a beautiful May Friday morning while I was moving my things to Regina, & not entirely sure where my summer was headed, that would change my direction entirely. I found myself employed with what will surely be remembered as the "Job of a Lifetime" for me. I started work with Parks Canada at the Motherwell Homestead National Historic Site. It was absolutely one of the BEST ways I could have spent my time in my "Last Saskatchewan Summer".
As a lover of animals, there is absolutely no better job then getting to take care of animals & baby animals at that! I got a summer full of taking care of cattle, goats, horses, sheep, pigs, chickens, a turkey, & of course the amazing Toby. Being the descendant of a Saskatchewan homesteader family one of the best experiences I got was learning how tough & resourceful, first hand in some ways, my fore-mothers had been. I have been blessed to have lived, & grown up, working the very homestead land my family had but I had never worked it like I worked at the Motherwell. Learning how to do it not only in 1912 ways, but in 1912 dress well that was a whole new eye opening experience. It truly gives one an appreciation for not only the new ways we have to do things, but also makes you wonder why we changed some? I truly to this day as I clean new stalls, wish I had the very handy wheelbarrows that I got to use at the Motherwell. Sure, the modern ones are "lighter" & have better wheels, but I truly miss being able to take the sides off the wheelbarrow that makes unloading & loading so much simpler.
I took a vow to myself that if I ever got in a position where I could do it, I would try to reverse the idea that farming is a subservient occupation - William Richard Motherwell
It was pretty neat to learn about William Richard Motherwell, his wife Catherine (Gillespie) & his daughter, as I dug around the house, listened to more experienced staff & went through some of the older books. I will say this, I am glad to know that even back in 1912 there were still young lady's who would rather be in the barn than washing dishes. It was very interesting to learn about how much Agriculture had evolved in the province of Saskatchewan, & whose hands were a part of that evolution. It was also really neat to talk to descendants of workers of Motherwell family that came to visit, & hear the stories they were told about the family. The type of people the Motherwell's were remembered to be, & how working for the Motherwell's influenced their family. One of my favorite, not nature or agriculture related, parts of the Motherwell site can be found in the house. On a wall you will find beautifully crafted First Nations bead work clothing that was gifted to the Motherwell's. The story behind that I would love to tell, but I think it would be better for you to explore the site & learn about them. SPOILER it has a good ending, & depending how you look at history a rather unique one.
The site has so many amazing spots & so many amazing stories to be told. Even working out in the garden & helping out with the aspects of "homesteader" life that I was more knowledgeable on I still learned many life skills. If you truly want to learn what it is like to live a homesteader life, well toss your tablet with the latest 10 Things list on how to be a "urban homesteader" & take up a summer at the Motherwell. The beautifully big garden, that also demonstrated summer fallow conditions, was a challenge as it was beautiful. Making sure everything had appropriate water during the dry days, & enough weeding to keep the weeds at bay... well my hands could have been lost out there (& some days they were). As an avid gardener I truly found it a treat that I could weed away stress while at work.
As the summer came to a close with fields ready to harvest, I think I may have just learned in the my last couple weeks how to pitch loose hay correctly.... I think. The people at the Motherwell Site were absolute pleasure to work with & I was finding myself very sad at the prospect of the fact this may be my only summer to get to work there. However, I don't think I cheered more to myself to see poppies bloom than the ones that bloomed on time for the Symphony Under the Sky event that was held at the end of summer. I have seen poppies come to bloom before, but these ones were extra special as they were ones blooming from seed from the actual Flanders Field. It was so neat to be connected to so much history in such an unique way that summer.
Hands down, this summer was one of the best experiences of my life. I highly suggest if you ever get the chance to work for Parks Canada to certainly JUMP at the opportunity. It is truly an unique experience, & you get to experience more than you thought you could in a summer. There are more stories, & favorite moments/spots, than can be shared in just one blog about my summer. I had an amazing time, & will be back often. Every time I look at historical photographs, or watch television/movies that depict the time period I am connected with a unique bond of knowledge that I'm forever thankful for. It will be the summer job I will NEVER forget, & with people who I am thankful to still have in my life. I hope this entices you to visit the site (I have added a map at the bottom of the page), & if you do find yourself there I hope you enjoy your time there as much as I did.
As Christmas season is upon us & I get ready to visit with my Saskatchewan family, my thoughts drift back to my "Last Saskatchewan Summer". As I moved away & now carry a very blue licence I can't help but think back to the amazing landscapes I left behind this year as this year winds down. I was blessed to have such an amazing summer to be my "Last Saskatchewan Summer". I take solace in knowing that it will in fact not be my last summer in Saskatchewan, & looking at these photos just makes me eager to start planning my vacation time (Sorry, Range Boss). I started out this summer/spring, with my usual walk for wildlife. If you recall from my previous, & sporadic, posts on my walk this year was all about the birds. I saw so many birds every time I stepped out of my house, & I took extra notice of these beautiful creatures. See, most of the time like most Saskatchewan residents I take them for granted. I am not what you would call a "bird person", so I don't tend to go out of my way to see them. However, with the knowledge that I wouldn't be spending another summer day in and day out, everyday, back in this feather filled province I seemed to pick them out. In Saskatchewan, we are blessed to have a home filled with not only a high number in variety of our feather friends, but also in sheer population numbers. This was something during my time at university that I took notice of, as I found during my homework of "bird watching" the numbers in British Columbia's north bird population to be a terribly disappointing while away at school. The numbers we get to see fill our prairie skies are something to always be thankful of. This summer I found myself living within Regina's city limits & like a good Regina resident I spent a lot of time wandering the edges of the Wascana (both lake & creek). Wascana Park, & trails, were amazing spots to run away to from the city streets. The beauty found in the valley, along the water, & hidden beside the paved in city trails was a place my mind could go to to rest. The sunsets, the animals, & all the plant life I found living in these areas were a treat. Definitely one of Regina's best assets is the beauty that is held within the Wascana. Of course, like every summer I made sure to make some time for my fishing rod. Not nearly enough, but I still found myself pole in hand on a lake's edge. From the beautiful Last Mountain, to Buffalo Pound, I enjoyed taking in some new fishing spots. The sunset over the beautiful lakes is always a great sight to behold, & the moment is made even sweeter when you notice a fish fin waving in the distance. However, being able to visit one of these fishing spots on horse back was just the cherry on top. This summer was not a summer to forget, & delivered in Saskatchewan beauty like none-other. The stormy skies that took too long to get there for the summer were well worth the wait. The stormy skies colored the Saskatchewan skyscape with an amazing assortment of colors & clouds. There was Northern Lights, & flowers bursting to bloom all summer long. Everything I could have asked for as I sat down to enjoy the Saskatchewan landscape. So much color, & so much vivid life. I am very excited to share even more of my views from the summer. This little snippet, shows only the beauty I was able to capture in my walks, drives, & quick fishing ventures into the province for the summer. There is much more to my "Last Saskatchewan Summer" & this is only the beginning of the story... setting the stage if you will. As I step into this new year, & to share my new life, I first will recount the world I left behind. Giving thanks for its beautiful bounty, & the honor the life that gave me the solid base I needed to take the next step I am taking. I will always be proud of my "Made in Saskatchewan" roots, & this last summer was a perfect climax to the amazing life that I found in my birth province. This August I had the pleasure of capturing some of the most beautiful summer skies. Seeing the clouds, rainbows, & varying colors I got to experience the true idea of Saskatchewan's "Living Skies". The landscapes I experienced were paintings brought to life. The colors that filled the skies, & were reflected onto the landscape were colors I could only wish to replicate in my paint palette. In this month I also got to experience some beautiful natural phenomenon’s of the astral type; the Perseids metero shower, & the super moon! This opened up the night skies to a show that that is best scene from a landscape that gives you an unobstructed view. Thank goodness for Saskatchewan’s back roads which lead a person to just such a landscape. I unfortunately was not able to capture as many meteor’s as hoped, but I did get to see the moon looking her best in that night sky. I will forever be thankful for Saskatchewan's livings skies, & miles of back roads to enjoy it from. I am very blessed to live in this province, & can't wait to spend many more days capturing the beauty of the "living skies".
Walking in the valley bottom of the Qu'Appelle valley this past summer was one of my greatest past times. Seeing the change in habitat grabbed my attention & wouldn't let it go. Watching the fields come to life right next to trees along the valley was a delight to my eyes. The wildflowers that came into bloom in the valley were sparkle of delight on the landscape. As they came into bloom it was interesting to watch all the different flowers, & styles of the flowers. Some are simple in their beauty, like the rose, & others are interesting in their beauty, like the Bergamot. All the sights & sounds of the summer were the things that woke me up on the inside. It was my inspiration, & I turned that inspiriation into many hours daydreaming this summer. I can only hope that these daydreams will turn into something more...
My Monday's this past summer were spent on the hill of Sabre Quarter Horse Ranch. Upon this hill within the series of hills of the Qu'Appelle Valley I learned each day how to push myself harder. I learned the humbling beauty of developing partnerships with amazing animals. I got to enjoy taking in the sights, & sounds that come with the open pastures & horse barns. One evening after my lesson time I decided to head out on foot to get a little closer to the grounds I have come to appreciate dearly. While out walking I found many beautiful blooming native plants in this last flowering, as September was around the corner. I found tons of purple decorating the landscape as it does at this time of year as blazing stars and asters come into their "wildflower season". I also saw spots of yellow as goldenrod joined it's friend the aster in this final blooming, along with the coneflowers slowly losing their petals as they finished their season. Wondering the tops of the hills of the Qu'Appelle Valley from the Sabre Ranch vantage point at sunset was a beautiful experience. My mind drifted from the pleasant thrill of finding the thriving native wildflowers, to my day dreams of futures to come. I drank in the beauty of the valley, & let the wind wash over my worn out body. I let myself be awe of the natural beauty that was to beheld among the rocks. I wondered as I sat on them how they found their way there, & was thankful for their placement as it gave the perfect perch to take in the views. As the sun ducked low underneath the clouds I made my way back to my truck. Between the yellow washed skyscape a little speckle of red caught my eye. I stopped, turned left, & there in a tree near by I found evidence that fall was truly coming. The first sign of the leaves turning was the evidence in front of eyes. What was once green was now red. I smiled to myself, & continued onto my truck. While I made that drive back to town along my "detour" route I took extra note of the fields that passed by my truck. As the sun dipped lower washing them in yellow, orange, purple, & pink hues I knew what I was seeing. My favorite season of the year had come... Harvest was here! The crops were ready to come off. The combines, & swathers, would soon speckle the landscape to get the crop off before the cold. As the sun set on that day, the crops were setting themselves. The crops were ready to be harvested. Fall in Saskatchewan was truly upon us, in all its amazing colors! Always Keep Dreaming |
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