PLEASE bookmark this page and check daily.
Older Blog: https://cuencaupdates.blogspot.com/
Please see my best artworks for sale at my websites:
http://souvenirphotostudio.neocities.org/
or https://pixels.com/profiles/al-bourassa
******
Earlier than planned, I sadly left the lovely room I had at the Poplar Tree in Stoughton, easily one of the best motels, ever! I went slowly towards Radville, watching for deer, moose, birds, etc. and enjoying the Saskatchewan sights. The signs for moose lie..... I have yet to see one there... But the pumpjacks are busy pumping oil and the Red-winged blackbirds and Orioles seemed to be everywhere, competing lightly with small crows.
I gassed up cheaply enough entering Weyburn and continued to my hometown of Radville, continuing to the cemetery. At first there was just the funeral home people, and me. My Niece Juliette was next and she helped me locate a lot of the family graves. Very soon, the family and cousins started streaming in. It was such a pleasure to see them after so many years...
There was a minister and a priest doing the prayers equally and then my sister-in-law Lana read the same amazing eulogy of our dear brother Germain as she had read the evening before. Even though the strong north wind made it tough to hear every word, it was a beautiful service prior to the interment.
Then everyone retired to the Radville Senior Citizen's Center and I realized to my chagrin that almost all of us qualified to be there....and we weresitting where our Dad and Uncles played a lot of cards. We had a lovely lunch with fresh buns and cold cuts and multiple desserts (keep passing those nanaimo bars please...)...
There is a small park next to the building with plum trees in bloom so we took a few group shots at the request of the family. RIP dear Germain.
Then I cruised out to our old farm which hasn't changed much since I helped Dad some 59 to 63 years ago. Then I cruised some buildings, like my Great Grandpa Victor's tiny house and our old home.
I checked into the only local hotel and am their only guest.... I paid for 3 nights. The room is small and the bathrooms are down a long hall but we will make it work.
I went up the street where a cousin, Eugene Fradette, has his Dad's arcade that is open to a wide group of guys that stop by to drink coffee regularly. The place was packed and I was related to almost everyone. We talked politics, sports and family connections and had a good time.
Then I left with cousin Roland Carles and we walked to his place and chatted with him and his wife, Darlene Debruyne, an old classmate of mine. There are always stories to tell...
I popped next door to my brother Normand's and found him and his wife Lana in his garage (Man Cave) where I truly envy his setup and all his tools. We yacked and laughed for another while before they finally accepted my offer to buy them supper at my hotel. That was a good decision, because the 3 meals were truly delicious.
My wi-fi here is weak so I am not sure if I will get this Blog away tonight, but I will try. Hugs to everyone.
I hope you enjoy the pictures, they take ages to upload some out of order, but........ That was the day’s excitement.
Al
******
© All my work is COPYRIGHT protected and may not be used in any way without purchase, or without my permission.
If you want to borrow a picture to share with family and friends, Facebook or whatever, at least PLEASE give me credit for the photo.
NOTE that you may click on any photo for an ENLARGED VIEW.
 |
| Highly Recommend the Poplar Tree Inn! |
 |
| Lots of oil being pumped down here! |
 |
| Ducks and a big fish???? |
 |
| Oil and Agriculture in action |
 |
| Gorgeous Orioles everywhere |
 |
| And the Red-winged Blackbirds.. |
This Oriole blends in well 
I always want to rescue old buildings 
They lie about this in the whole province! 
Oriole 
Red-winged Blackbird 
Always pronghorns near my hometown
The last 3 visits they were here 
The old hometown 
Our house in the late 60's 
It was a pre-built Muttart home 
Germain is being buried next to our parents 
The setup on a windy prairie day
Niece Kristina and her triplets 
Dad's first wife died young 
Our sister Jeanne 
Our sister Simonne 
July 1/67 is burned in our memory 
Big car crash that day claimed 3 cousins
 |
| The gathering |
 |
| A lovely service |
The beautiful hand-made urn
 |
| Deanna, Josh & Shailyn |
 |
| Family group |
 |
| Nice place for pics |
 |
| Josh and family |
 |
| Gorgeous buds nearby |
 |
| Zach is a pool shark |
 |
| Shailyn and her Mom |
 |
| A long day for Billy-Jo |
 |
| Our old farm |
 |
| Still remarkably the same |
 |
| The Verot farm next door abandoned for years |
 |
| Old CNR bridge SE of town |
 |
| It sits on Long Creek (Souris River) |
 |
| Holy Family Church is unchanged |
 |
| Great-Grandpa Victor's tiny house |
