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.
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