A cooling-off period following some of the hottest weather we've seen for some time, was welcome. The recent wind and rainstorms have lodged quite a few fields as they are very heavy stands of crop. It really complicates the job of combining when it's lying every which way, though the newer pickups do a good job.
Driving through western parts of the province surely does make one realize we live in one of the best parts of the world, even with our problems. It is so green everywhere. Some summers by August the lawns and pastures are brown, but not so this year. There's lush green grass in the pastures and the cattle will be well fitted going into winter. The calves will be heavier for fall sales, too.
There have been severe localized storms pass through here and there, and some damage has been done, but not wide-spread storms. In southern Saskatchewan and in Montana the crops are turning yellow as they ripen, so the combines will soon be busy there. I've seen the odd yellow leaf too, which is a sad feeling when you know what comes next. The highways are busier than ever and that Highway 2 in central Alberta takes the cake for traffic. The price of gas doesn't slow it down. We saw it priced all the way from $1.10 to $1.41 and never figured out what it was in the United States.
Access seems to have ironed out most of the problems with their "improved system" though they still list stations that are not available.
For the first time ever the Meadow Lake Stampede was cancelled after just one race Sunday night, which went to prove it was too muddy and dangerous to carry on. It was slated to run July 23 - 27, hosted by the Lions Club, but the decision was made by them and the CPCA officials, to cancel.
In southern Alberta we have watched the progress being made of erecting a huge grid of power towers from Taber country northward and now I see it is as far north as between Camrose and Wainwright. It is interesting to see these go up. There is no doubt it is keeping the province hopping to supply enough power for their ever-growing demand of people and industry.
Linda Ard spent a few days in Leduc last week where she visited with her niece Donna and Albert Lambert and the Kiwi cousins from New Zealand, before they left for home Aug. 3.
On my way home from Leduc, Alta. last Wednesday I stopped in Kinsella. There is no café any more, so I went to the hotel. This doesn't usually open until 1 p.m. but the door was open. Here I found Jim Morrison and his wife, formerly of the Morrison's Garage in North Battleford. They had been to Days Beach over the long weekend and are now making their home in the Kinsella Hotel. They are in the process of renovating the living quarters and rooms.
The Honeywood Heritage Nursery at Parkside hosted its "Lilies in Bloom" event July 20, attracting some 500 visitors from around the province. Plants and trees were sold and tours of the gardens arranged.
Neilburg seems to be expanding as every time I drive through there are more and bigger buildings gone up and lots of action around.
There is a $10 fee for launching your boat in Jackfish Lake at Meota, but this is a season pass, not a day-pass, available at the concession stand at the beach.
The Active Walking health education program continues at the Meota Community Complex each Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12. Stretch and tone exercises at 10 a.m. Exercises begin again Oct. 6. Remember the HealthLine number is 811.
How were the sunflower seeds getting in my son's bird bath? Well he watched and saw the crows picking them off the ground, taking then to the birdbath and cracking them on the cement and eating them.
The cemetery clean-up "bee" was held Aug. 4, with a good turn out of workers. The lunch this time was taken out by Linda Ard. Again it is looking very nice, many thanks to all the folks who participated.
There are gorgeous flowers in every town this summer, but those in Camrose, Leduc and, Millet, Alta. are super beautiful. Those wave petunias hang over the sides of their pots and touch the ground or if hanging, they meet under the pots. This makes it hard to just "drive through" when you want to stop and look awhile. Every year they just get better and better.
The Meota Lakeshore Lions are hosting a "pasta night" at the Community Complex Saturday, Aug. 16. Doors open at 5 p.m., supper at 6 p.m. and entertainment starts at 7:30 p.m. Following supper there will be silent auctions and entertainment. Tickets are $20 and available from Lawrie Ward at 306-892-2517. Come and support these hard working people who are helping build and maintain our community.
The community noon luncheon is Friday, Aug. 15 at the community hall. Again workers from the community are raising money to keep building our community and making it a better place to live.
The farmers' market has picked up pace with more produce offered as well as baking and crafts.
Swimming lessons are on this week, I'll try to get down and see what's going down at the beach.
The concrete has been poured for the floor at the fire hall, so once the walls go up and the roof is on, then inside work can go ahead this winter. It's sad to see the rafters lying out in the weather and getting twisted, they will take longer to put up when they aren't true any more.
Winner at Monday night contract bridge was Linda Ard and second was Vernon Iverson.
The funeral for the late Holly Grant, wife of Fred Grant, farmer at Sandwith, is being held in the Sandwith Community hall on Friday, Aug. 15 at 2 p.m. Every time we lose another pioneer you feel a void in the family and community. Our condolences to all.
