Oh Canada......

"Oh, Canada....".  That was the response of my brother, John David, when I eventually told him that I had extended my stay in Canada.  He also said, "I'm sooooo surprised."  I'm not so sure what he exactly meant by that!

So, the saga continues....in amongst a time period that no one seems to really remember exactly,  I returned to Waukesha, Wisconsin.  After having a quick yet thorough breakdown over considering what I was preparing to do, I "pulled up my big girl pants" (quote courtesy of Jan Krueger) and started making decisions.  What would I sell, what would I possibly keep, what would I donate, and what would get thrown away.  And of course this was during the same time as I entered many tearful heart to hearts with very special people and friends regarding my upcoming departure.  Somehow, with their help and with their help only, I have found my way back to the farm.

This is one of many bluffs you see in the central western part of Wisconsin.  This really doesn't do it justice because there are gazillions of them.

And here it is.  Me driving out of Wisconsin.  No more apartment, no real belongings to speak of...just me, my dog, and my car.  Oh look.  I was speeding.  Not only that there is a date!  I headed back to Canada on October 8th, spent the night just outside Fargo, N.D., (Devil's Lake - it's a growing lake that is slowly sucking in everything around it!  Really.  I heard it on the news that night in my motel room.  OH, my motel room...nevermind!  It was a bed.).  So I made it back to Saskatoon on the 9th around 6 or 7pm.  Whew!  Look how that just all unraveled itself before us?

I spent time in Saskatoon when I first arrived here.   I ran out to the farm for Thanksgiving, and a Sunday ham dinner, but now I have come back to spend time.  And just like when I came here for the very first time, the second time is no less awe inspiring.  It's now full blown fall in Saskatchewan!  And so much is happening...

The bird migration has been incredible.  There is no picture (that my camera can take) that would ever do this justice.  The entire sky can be filled at any given moment with hundreds of flocks of geese, ducks, or cranes.  Whole fields will look like they are covered in snow as the snow geese land to feed.  It's so amazing.  And the sand hill cranes!  These are all cranes not geese.  And just one little itsy bitsy piece of what has been stopping by.

Dwayne and Alton have been SO busy!  They are building a huge deck for some folks around here and at the same time cleaning birds for the hunters who come in from all around Canada and the States.  They work with a gentleman who works as a hunting guide.  The hunters stay in a lodge type place and eat and drink and hunt.  Although I find these birds to be much more beautiful alive, I really try to understand the thrill of the hunt, and I realize  the boys have created a very lucrative side job for themselves.  These two boys are not afraid of work I'll tell you.

So, I am back.  Stay tuned as I prepare to take you through my first CANADIAN winter!