As a kid, like so many Albertans, we made a summer pilgrimage to the farm…which means Saskatchewan. I remember those drives. Listening to the 8 track player, being forced to put on our seatbelts when we crossed the border…stopping first in Swift Current to see our Grandmother and then moving on to Wolseley. Those trips became less frequent as we got older. We all got busy doing our own thing and…to be completely honest, I’m sure I’m not the only one who found the long drive in the Saskatchewan heat unbearable. Boring. So flat and uninteresting that when driving into a rainy patch you could see where it started and where it stopped.
Now that I’m…ahem…older, I have a greater appreciation for the beauty of Sasktachewan. Watching the native grasses roll in the wind was peaceful. The sun dancing on the blades offered a quiet beauty. Stepping back in time everytime you drive through another nameless small town. The run down, or even completely abandoned, old buildings that litter the countryside. And, a new hope on the horizon. Mixed in amongst the familiar pumpjacks of my youth, large wind turbines–highlighting the combination of old and new. A place where family has a special meaning. It means barbeques and horseshoe tournaments. Slow pitch and fireworks. It means stories–old and new–and, inevitably a tear or two. And laughter–lots of large, boisterous laughter rolling across the native grasses like the wind. What a treat.
My nephew…sitting on the back step of the Catholic church in town.
My niece and my almost niece(my cousin’s girl)…playing in the lilacs.
My beauty…that’s what I call her…
And some of that laughter still rolling endlessly across the prairie…
I must add that this was Bob’s idea(only because if I don’t he’ll add it himself I fear). I get extremely dizzy ever since I had kids. Weird how that is…but I gave it a go and got one image worth processing. I should have sat closer
Next time. A belated happy Canada day to you all…I hope you all took a moment to praise your ancestor’s good sense in coming here! I know I did.
by Dana
That last one made ME dizzy! Awesome!!
Dana, I think everything about that last shot is perfect…everything.
I laughed at your description of childhood field trips-for us it was in the back of the station wagon and GASP…we didn’t have seat belts!!!!!!
It’s funny how our perspective changes:)
Great photos as always.
Great Kim…now you are going to give Bob fuel for his fire. He is ALWAYS suggesting shots to me. I think I should just let him have my camera when I get my new one!!! This one I was so hesitant because I hate feeling dizzy and gross. At least I didn’t…ummm…lose my lunch! Ha! Thanks for the kind words
Absolutely love that last one – it’s perfect just the way it is!