We are expecting a very unwelcome snowstorm, starting this afternoon. I need to get a few more overseas Christmas cards and letters written, so that I can hopefully get out to post them before any snow needs clearing off my car. Will have to finish off my descriptions later. (later, evening, maybe six or so inches of snow so far.)

Luckily, the snow didn't start until I was back home from running an errand or two. I also called in at the home of a man who has been making simple wooden Christmas trees. He has not been able to work (carpentry) after having surgery in September on his shoulder (rotator cuff issue, which I can relate to). So, he decided to make Christmas trees, using Spruce, to sell, for people to decorate in any way they choose. He even made the newspaper and TV, which was great. A lot of people in his community have been buying these trees and placing them outside in their front garden to bring some Christmas cheer to all the neighbours. A few people have come forward to help him with his creations, which was nice to see. A real entrepreneur, especially in a time of his own need, and in a year unlike any other. I have a lot of respect for you, Derek. You have certainly brought your community together and given so much pleasure! Great inspiration.

calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/calgary-woodworkers-hom...

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/derek-mcgillis-christmas-t...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fdFYOXaPWs

The first time I ever saw this beautiful old house/barn was on 18 July 2016, when my daughter and I did a very long drive from Calgary to the Drumheller area. Ever since then, I have wanted to go back and see it again, and yesterday, 20 December 2020, I finally found it once again. Earlier this year, I was just a road or two away from it. I had been sure I knew exactly where it stood, but learned that I really didn't. It has been updated to celebrate graduation time for 2020 - a very different kind of year and celebration for so many young people, thanks to the ongoing pandemic that has so far lasted almost a year. Well done, to all students who have been able to continue their education, whether online or in person, or a mix of both. Well done to all the parents out there, who have somehow managed to keep going, despite the enormous challenges of 2020. I don't know how you did it! Good luck in 2021, as the pandemic continues, but now with a lot more hope.

This is what I wrote about this colourful structure when I posted a photo back in 2016:

"As well as birds and beautiful scenery, we saw several old barns, including this old house/barn. Each year, the farmer allows the graduating class from the local high school to decorate this old building in any way they wish. A fun idea and it certainly adds a splash of colour. I was absolutely fascinated to read a little bit of history from someone who was a contact of mine on Flickr two or three years ago. Her Grandmother was apparently born in this house/barn. It was later converted to a granary and now, of course, has become the canvas for local students."

Yesterday, this barn was my main destination, and that is pretty much all I saw. Funny how days can be so different. I can see so many things one day, yet another outing to a different area on a different day results in maybe only a couple of dozen photos. No sign of any Snowy Owls this day.

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We are expecting a very unwelcome snowstorm, starting this afternoon. I need to get a few more overseas Christmas cards and letters written, so that I can hopefully get out to post them before any snow needs clearing off my car. Will have to finish off my descriptions later. (later, evening, maybe six or so inches of snow so far.)

Luckily, the snow didn't start until I was back home from running an errand or two. I also called in at the home of a man who has been making simple wooden Christmas trees. He has not been able to work (carpentry) after having surgery in September on his shoulder (rotator cuff issue, which I can relate to). So, he decided to make Christmas trees, using Spruce, to sell, for people to decorate in any way they choose. He even made the newspaper and TV, which was great. A lot of people in his community have been buying these trees and placing them outside in their front garden to bring some Christmas cheer to all the neighbours. A few people have come forward to help him with his creations, which was nice to see. A real entrepreneur, especially in a time of his own need, and in a year unlike any other. I have a lot of respect for you, Derek. You have certainly brought your community together and given so much pleasure! Great inspiration.

calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/calgary-woodworkers-hom...

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/derek-mcgillis-christmas-t...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fdFYOXaPWs

The first time I ever saw this beautiful old house/barn was on 18 July 2016, when my daughter and I did a very long drive from Calgary to the Drumheller area. Ever since then, I have wanted to go back and see it again, and yesterday, 20 December 2020, I finally found it once again. Earlier this year, I was just a road or two away from it. I had been sure I knew exactly where it stood, but learned that I really didn't. It has been updated to celebrate graduation time for 2020 - a very different kind of year and celebration for so many young people, thanks to the ongoing pandemic that has so far lasted almost a year. Well done, to all students who have been able to continue their education, whether online or in person, or a mix of both. Well done to all the parents out there, who have somehow managed to keep going, despite the enormous challenges of 2020. I don't know how you did it! Good luck in 2021, as the pandemic continues, but now with a lot more hope.

This is what I wrote about this colourful structure when I posted a photo back in 2016:

"As well as birds and beautiful scenery, we saw several old barns, including this old house/barn. Each year, the farmer allows the graduating class from the local high school to decorate this old building in any way they wish. A fun idea and it certainly adds a splash of colour. I was absolutely fascinated to read a little bit of history from someone who was a contact of mine on Flickr two or three years ago. Her Grandmother was apparently born in this house/barn. It was later converted to a granary and now, of course, has become the canvas for local students."

Yesterday, this barn was my main destination, and that is pretty much all I saw. Funny how days can be so different. I can see so many things one day, yet another outing to a different area on a different day results in maybe only a couple of dozen photos. No sign of any Snowy Owls this day.

© All Rights Reserved

Tuesday, 22 December 2020: temperature is -5C (windchill -13C) just before noon. Sunrise is at 8:38 am, and sunset is at 4:32 pm. Overnight, our world turned to white - again, but this time with more snow than I have seen for a long time. Still snowing very lightly.

Yesterday, 21 December 2020, a snowstorm arrived, starting in the early evening. I rushed to get a few more very late Christmas cards and letters written so that I could hopefully get out to post them before any snow needed clearing off my car.

Luckily, the snow didn't start until I was back home from running an errand or two. I also called in at the home of a man who has been making simple wooden Christmas trees. He has not been able to work (carpentry) after having surgery in September on his shoulder (rotator cuff issue, which I can relate to). So, he decided to make Christmas trees, using Spruce, to sell, for people to decorate in any way they choose. He even made the newspaper and TV, which was great. A lot of people in his community have been buying these trees and placing them outside in their front garden to bring some Christmas cheer to all the neighbours. A few people have come forward to help him with his creations, which was nice to see. A real entrepreneur, especially in a time of his own need, and in a year unlike any other. I have a lot of respect for you, Derek. You have certainly brought your community together and given so much pleasure! Great inspiration.

calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/calgary-woodworkers-hom...

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/derek-mcgillis-christmas-t...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fdFYOXaPWs

The first time I ever saw this beautiful old house/barn was on 18 July 2016, when my daughter and I did a very long drive from Calgary to the Drumheller area. Ever since then, I have wanted to go back and see it again, and yesterday, 20 December 2020, I finally found it once again. Earlier this year, I was just a road or two away from it. I had been sure I knew exactly where it stood, but learned that I really didn't. It has been updated to celebrate graduation time for 2020 - a very different kind of year and celebration for so many young people, thanks to the ongoing pandemic that has so far lasted almost a year. Well done, to all students who have been able to continue their education, whether online or in person, or a mix of both. Well done to all the parents out there, who have somehow managed to keep going, despite the enormous challenges of 2020. I don't know how you did it! Good luck in 2021, as the pandemic continues, but now with a lot more hope.

This is what I wrote about this colourful structure when I posted a photo back in 2016:

"As well as birds and beautiful scenery, we saw several old barns, including this old house/barn. Each year, the farmer allows the graduating class from the local high school to decorate this old building in any way they wish. A fun idea and it certainly adds a splash of colour. I was absolutely fascinated to read a little bit of history from someone who was a contact of mine on Flickr two or three years ago. Her Grandmother was apparently born in this house/barn. It was later converted to a granary and now, of course, has become the canvas for local students."

Yesterday, this barn was my main destination, and that is pretty much all I saw. Funny how days can be so different. I can see so many things one day, yet another outing to a different area on a different day results in maybe only a couple of dozen photos. No sign of any Snowy Owls this day.

© All Rights Reserved

Tuesday, 22 December 2020: temperature is -5C (windchill -13C) just before noon. Sunrise is at 8:38 am, and sunset is at 4:32 pm. Overnight, our world turned to white - again, but this time with more snow than I have seen for a long time. Still snowing very lightly.

Yesterday, 21 December 2020, a snowstorm arrived, starting in the early evening. I rushed to get a few more very late Christmas cards and letters written so that I could hopefully get out to post them before any snow needed clearing off my car.

Luckily, the snow didn't start until I was back home from running an errand or two. I also called in at the home of a man who has been making simple wooden Christmas trees. He has not been able to work (carpentry) after having surgery in September on his shoulder (rotator cuff issue, which I can relate to). So, he decided to make Christmas trees, using Spruce, to sell, for people to decorate in any way they choose. He even made the newspaper and TV, which was great. A lot of people in his community have been buying these trees and placing them outside in their front garden to bring some Christmas cheer to all the neighbours. A few people have come forward to help him with his creations, which was nice to see. A real entrepreneur, especially in a time of his own need, and in a year unlike any other. I have a lot of respect for you, Derek. You have certainly brought your community together and given so much pleasure! Great inspiration. I will post a photo tomorrow.

calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/calgary-woodworkers-hom...

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/derek-mcgillis-christmas-t...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fdFYOXaPWs

The first time I ever saw this beautiful old house/barn was on 18 July 2016, when my daughter and I did a very long drive from Calgary to the Drumheller area. Ever since then, I have wanted to go back and see it again, and yesterday, 20 December 2020, I finally found it once again. Earlier this year, I was just a road or two away from it. I had been sure I knew exactly where it stood, but learned that I really didn't. It has been updated to celebrate graduation time for 2020 - a very different kind of year and celebration for so many young people, thanks to the ongoing pandemic that has so far lasted almost a year. Well done, to all students who have been able to continue their education, whether online or in person, or a mix of both. Well done to all the parents out there, who have somehow managed to keep going, despite the enormous challenges of 2020. I don't know how you did it! Good luck in 2021, as the pandemic continues, but now with a lot more hope. Apparently, 20-40 cm fell in Calgary.

This is what I wrote about this colourful structure when I posted a photo back in 2016:

"As well as birds and beautiful scenery, we saw several old barns, including this old house/barn. Each year, the farmer allows the graduating class from the local high school to decorate this old building in any way they wish. A fun idea and it certainly adds a splash of colour. I was absolutely fascinated to read a little bit of history from someone who was a contact of mine on Flickr two or three years ago. Her Grandmother was apparently born in this house/barn. It was later converted to a granary and now, of course, has become the canvas for local students."

Yesterday, this barn was my main destination, and that is pretty much all I saw. Funny how days can be so different. I can see so many things one day, yet another outing to a different area on a different day results in maybe only a couple of dozen photos. No sign of any Snowy Owls this day.

Tags:   Alberta Canada NE of Calgary scenery rural rural scene building old weathered barn shed house Grad 2020 art artwork students graduates decorated with farmer's permission

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