School on a Day Like Today ... 100 Yrs Ago!!

It's not that cold outside at -12C but it is certainly foggy and dreary!  Looking at the old Heart Lake School that was established 100 years ago in 1912, I can only imagine how 'tough' the children were that attended this school!  Composed of one room, built out of boards, and standing alone out on the prairie ... exposed to the elements!  Heated school buses certainly did not usher the children to and from the school!  It amazes me that such history still stands on our prairies and on days like today you can almost step back in time!

Poor Lil' Red Poll ...

My Red Poll's have returned but this poor lil' dude took a wrong turn and flew into my window!  He was okay ... a bit stunned but I scooped him up and set him over by my trees and bird feeders.  It took him a few moments to shake off his headache but returned to the skies shortly there after!  

November's Full Moon

A busy day requiring my camera to 'hang low!'  However, between hockey practice and Scouts, I managed to hang my camera quickly out of the car window on our way to town for a quick snap of the rising full moon!   November is coming to a close much too soon!

Jasper's Nose ...

Jasper's nose knows ... when it's feeding time!  Mr. Mischief himself certainly likes to give me a hand!  He's quite the character, so I don't mind his company!

That Chore ....

I can't think of a worse chore on the farm, than cleaning out flat bottom grain bins full of barley sprouts!  Lucky for me, I have the most superb Husband that volunteers himself for such jobs!  I've truly offered my assistance but being the gentleman that he is, he always declines and tackles the beast himself!  Now, that's a good man!!!

Thanks Sweetie!  I love you!  

The Foggy Abyss

Engulfing the landscape, I love the mystery in a fog.  I love how it seems to hang on with claw like grips in coulees and valleys yet rolls over roads and dry flat lake bottoms. I'm amazed how it can be so thick and within a breath be gone!  It certainly seems like an abyss at times!

Prairie Power Lines

For some reason I can handle these power poles and power lines stretched across the prairie landscape but I really dislike the monstrous metal towers that are replacing these!  

Snow Covered

I love waking up and looking out at snow covered trees!  Despite the cold, there is just something about that 'white blanket' that pleases the visual senses ... the landscape always looks so peaceful!  So, on this peaceful looking day, I know many friends south of the border are celebrating their American Thanksgiving and with that I would just like to wish all of you a very happy Thanksgiving!  I hope you enjoyed a wonderful and blessed day surrounded by friends and family!  Cheers!

A Winter's Night

Somehow between trying to get stuff done at home, chores, an after school birthday party for my oldest and another child ... the day slipped away and so did the sunlight.  Although, I must admit, we never did see the sun today.  It was another overcast, grey day with some snow flurries.  However, I did manage to head outside after the kids were in bed and played a bit!  Everything is covered in a thick hoar frost and dusting of fluffy snow.

No Blue Sky ...

Overcast, grey and the return of colder temperatures!  That's the part I dislike about our winter's ... the yo-yo effect on the thermometer!  It was +4 C yesterday and back down to -14 C tonight!  It would be a lot easier to acclimatize if the weather man would just pick a nice average winter temperature and stick with it!

Bovines

Ah ... perfect bovine noses!  

That Evening Sky

Cloudy or clear, there is something to be said about that prairie sky!  I will forever love the unobstructed horizons that permit you to see forever!  

Foiled Star Trails ...

I had hoped to take some shots of the Leonid Meteor shower last night, along with some star trails but that was foiled by clouds and a bit of ice fog.  My plan was to attempt it all over again tonight!  That was foiled once again!   Needless to say, at least it was a fairly warm night and my trustee flashlight and hounds kept me company!

Following the Feed

These last few days have certainly been hectic ... so hectic that I've even forgot my camera a couple of times (trust me that doesn't happen very often).  Well, the weekend is here and I am hoping to recharge not only my batteries but my camera's as well.  In the meantime ... you have to look at some of our heifers following the tractor during feeding time!

The Ending of a Day

A hectic week and a stressful day but the sun will rise tomorrow! 

You Can Never Get Tired of Aurora Borealis!

The boys and I were treated to a show of Northern Lights not only on our way to town tonight but on our way home as well!  Yes, they were very active this evening and it was enjoyable sitting outside with my boys and taking the sights in as a family!  You can never get enough of the Northern Lights!

Just a Monday ...

... A very wintery looking Monday!  So before the sun and warmer temperature (... it was -26 C yesterday morning!) melted the hoar frost, I quickly ran out and took a couple of quick photos.  I was hoping to get out and take more exciting images but somehow that didn't happen today!   Oh well, have a great week everyone!  

Lest We Forget

To the Men and Women who fought and are still fighting ... 'THANK YOU!'

I will never forget and I will ensure that my children learn, understand and never forget as well.  

Shorter Days and the Setting Sun

Our days are indeed getting significantly shorter ... and colder but I love the warmth of a setting sun!  Have a great weekend everyone!

Feeding Time

With the heifers all home and the snow flying, 'feeding time' is back in the daily routine! The boys said "Mom, why don't you feed the cows when were not home?"  My response was "because I love your company!"  Truth is ... they are a great help, I love that they are outside and learning the rope's and I do love their company!  Ever since both boys were babies, I've bundled them up and taken them in the tractor with me to chore.  I guess old habits die hard.  The only problem, my boys keep growing and it's getting a little 'tight' in the cab of the tractor!

Nobody Is Home

Well, our very weathered bird house out at the end of our lane, is certainly empty these days.  It's resident Tree Swallows left a few months ago and likely a good thing since 'Winter' has certainly creeped in before 'Fall' really had a chance to take hold, let alone leave!  Alberta has been hit with 'Old Man Winter' once again and judging by the snow flying outside my window tonight and listening to the wind, perhaps I should have followed the Tree Swallows south!  

Leaves and Snow

We had another dull, grey day that has ended with snow falling and a heavy snowfall warning.  I'm not sure how much snow we will have by morning but I am certain that it will at least be enough to cover the last of the fallen leaves.

Sweet Warbles

Having spotted the beautiful red plumage of the male Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator) against the snowy backdrop in my garden the other day (no, I didn't have my camera ... tsk, tsk), I've been keeping a watchful eye, in the hopes of spotting him once again BUT with my camera this time!!!  So far no luck!  However, the 'ladies' are not shy and singing with their sweet warbles they indulged in the seeds from our lilac trees this afternoon.

Blue Grama

Bouteloua gracilis

The Chinook Winds arrived, the temperatures soared, the snow melted and the prairie landscape is golden once again!  The skeletal remains of the native Blue grama grass danced and swayed in the sunshine this afternoon but for how long is yet to be determined.  The forecast is showing a return of the 'white stuff!'  

Sunshine ... Glorious Sunshine!

FINALLY, that warm, glorious sunshine returned to the prairies!  It didn't take long under those warm, sunny rays, for the icy-frost to melt away, my horses were out and about soaking up some vitamin D and we moved the heifers home this afternoon.  All in all, a pretty sweet November day!