Floyd McNeill* farmed near the banks of the Moose Jaw River, one of those prairie rivers consisting of a deep, wide valley with a little creek meandering its way along a narrow channel on the bottom. Being near the river bank, there were stones scattered through the fields, some small enough that a man could … Continue reading Weeds and stones in our writing
Saskatchewan
Summer in sunny Saskatchewan
I hope everybody had a chuckle over the mistake in my last post. Two millimetres a year would come to two hundred millimetres in a century, or twenty centimetres, not two metres. If you look at the post now, you will see that I have corrected the error. Warm weather was late in arriving this … Continue reading Summer in sunny Saskatchewan
Meditations on spring in Saskatchewan
For months our yard looked barren. Spring came, the snow melted, yet the weather remained cool and we waited week after week for signs of a change. The grass was brown; the trees were dry sticks. Very hesitantly, signs of new life began to appear. Last week warm weather arrived in full force, temperatures as … Continue reading Meditations on spring in Saskatchewan
Start somewhere progress report
Well, I haven’t got as far with the weight loss project as I had hoped. After 30 days I was down six pounds. But hey, that’s still six pounds that I don’t have to carry around anymore. I am doing OK with the eating less part, not so well with the part of moving more. … Continue reading Start somewhere progress report
Getting the right message out
As you may have noticed, I haven’t posted anything for a few days. Part of the reason is that we had an overcast weekend with rain and snow and the dish on our roof lost contact with the satellite. We live on a rural acreage in Saskatchewan where this is the only high-speed internet available. … Continue reading Getting the right message out
Spring fever
In books, spring always seems to come in a rush. Homesteaders on the prairies, or trappers in the northern bush, endure a long harsh winter, their food and their firewood have almost run out and the snow is so deep they can't get out to replenish their supplies.. Then one day they notice something different … Continue reading Spring fever
Twelve Foot Falls
We were driving through Wisconsin, on our way from Ontario to Saskatchewan and planning to stop at friends for supper and night. There was a little sign beside the road saying “Twelve Foot Falls” with an arrow indicating the direction. On a spur of the moment impulse I pulled off onto the side road. For … Continue reading Twelve Foot Falls
My day so far
9:00 check weather - forecast of 10 -15 cm snow, winds 40 gusting to 60 km/h 9:30 wife leaves for city just as snow begins to fall 9:35 start work - day’s plan is to catch up on filing 9:45 cat #3 wants out - open door, watch as he assesses the situation and turns … Continue reading My day so far
US disasters vs Canadian winters
Seventeen years ago at Easter time we drove down to Arkansas where our daughter was teaching. Deborah, a friend of our daughter, travelled with us. There in the deep south we saw mounds of dirt here and there in the fields. We asked one of the local ladies what they were and she told us … Continue reading US disasters vs Canadian winters
How silently, how silently
How silently, how silently, The wondrous gift is giv'n! So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of His heav'n. No ear can hear His coming, But in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive Him still, The dear Christ enters in. (O Little Town of Bethlehem, 3rd verse, written by Phillips Brooks) … Continue reading How silently, how silently