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Glorious summer! The weather is starting to feel a little like summer and to be in the great outdoors is enthralling. Canadians love to stop and snap photos of wildlife when driving. Seems like we have a deep connection to nature that unites us. There are various federal and provincial programs protecting wildlife and plant species. The main goal is for Canadians to conserved the wildlife and its habitat.
In my part of the country we see bear, moose, deer, beaver, muskrats, raccoons, coyotes, rabbits, garter snakes and the list goes on. Large birds swoop down to catch a gopher or mouse and then soar off into the skies. We are fortunate to have sand hill cranes in a slough west of our farmyard for the last 21 years. Unfortunately, I have never been able to get close enough to capture a good photo.
Two of my relatives have recently passed away. Uncle Paul Gregoire, who had moved from Harwood Manor North Battleford to Diamond House in Warman last August passed away June 8 at the age of 96. No funeral is planned at this time because of COVID-19. Second cousin Camel Haegebeart of rural North Battleford also passed away three weeks ago at the age of 81.
Get well wishes to my neighbour Jenny Konopelski, who is in Royal University Hospital recovering from surgery and will have to take it easy for the summer. For a mother of four young children, this will be a challenge.
The Northern Horizons Journey of Creativity weekend has been cancelled this year. This self-drive tour of art studios and workshops in the region including Belbutte, Glenbush, Medstead, Glaslyn, Livelong and Turtle Lake areas has been offered for the past 17 years. Call Dorothy Schmidt at Shady lane Art Studio 306-342-4580 or email [email protected] to see if some of the venues have merchandise for sale.
In the past, 10 to 12 artisans participated, offering interesting wares. Some of the back roads were a real adventure, but the routes to the various venues were always well marked.
One outdoor activity that is certainly raking in business is golf courses. They opened May 15 with some restrictions. This past winter was longer and the snow had not fully melted until early May, so the pandemic didn’t really play a big part in the delay of opening. Many who have never enjoyed the sport are taking it up, just to be moving around outside and getting exercise.
Hopefully everyone is supporting local businesses. The big box stores have survived the pandemic, but the small, locally owned shops are needing customers, so you and I should be shopping in those places.
