The Backside of a Sunflower

Sunflowers are my absolute favourite flower, and I have always had a deep connection with the symbolism the flower holds.  When we think of sunflowers, our minds often conjure up images of their vibrant yellow petals, standing tall and proud, basking in the warm sunlight. However, there is more to these magnificent flowers than meets the eye. Hidden behind their cheerful facade lies the rough and strong backside holds a fascinating story of resilience and adaptability. Despite its rough texture, the stem is a testament to the sunflower's ability to withstand harsh weather conditions and stand tall against strong winds. These significant features of this remarkable flower is why I feel it has become the symbol of my 2023 year. Let me explain.

I entered the year on a high. 2022 brought so many amazing things for me. A record year for tornado captures, an active winter chase season, and many personal and professional gains that continued into early 2023. It seemed the blood, sweat and tears I’d put into my passions was finally paying off. It was easy for me to harness that energy and shine it on everyone who crossed my path, as well as give me the strength to keep pushing hard in life.

I’ve always made it my mission to spread light around me everywhere I go. A positive disposition with a friendly smile for anyone who comes around. Life is hard and always feels like the world can use more sunshine, more people cheering you on and allowing you to see what’s amazing about YOU.  It’s that face I step out of the house with every day, very rarely will I ever show the rough-edged stalk behind it.

It wasn’t long into 2023 that the storms started hitting hard, threatening to snap the stem that has held me high and allowed me to shine. Early June just as my happy time of the year, (chase season) was set to ramp up, a routine doctor appointment for my 15-year-old son brought all that to a halt. Blood tests revealed liver levels 4-5 times higher than normal. Following those results were a battery of tests, specialist appointments, and a scramble to keep his liver functioning. Nothing is worse for a parent than facing down the possible mortality of your child and being unable to fix the situation yourself.

Diagnosed with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Hypothyroidism as well as an ADHD diagnosis the summer was spent with specialists, ultrasounds, repeated bloodwork and figuring out the correct diet and medications to get it under control to ensure that his liver wouldn’t completely shut down, as well as ensuring he was in good mental health with everything coming his way. This is what took me mainly out of chasing the 2023 season. Not that it was much for Saskatchewan with only 1 confirmed tornado. With the battery of appointments and focus on getting him better it also made me unable to target set-ups further away as usual. The one set-up I managed to get out for in Alberta I didn’t target the right storm. While my storm was beautiful and severe with its golf ball hail stones, a destructive tornado touched down on another storm near Didsbury which meant I missed my only chance to capture a tornado this season. I felt defeated by my failure, even though logically I knew I shouldn’t.

Storm Chasing is my escape. It allows me to leave the stress of life behind if only for a few hours. Wind in my hair, wide open road and larger than life sky. The lightning illuminating the world in front of me and the thunder reverberating through my body is an atmosphere that heals me. Not having that escape with the slow drought-ridden atmosphere of the western prairies this year was tough and I clung to the few wins I could muster this summer. It helped that many of my friends a peers had amazing wins and cheering them on allowed me to celebrate things around me, which was much needed as I was struggling to find things to celebrate.

Weatherwise the drought continued to plague the prairies well into harvest with grasshoppers polishing off what little crops there were. But for me and my family the fall brought reprieve. We had finally got things under control for my son, his liver and thyroid levels returning to normal. While it’s something he will have to deal with his whole life, now I felt like I could draw in a big breath something I hadn’t done in months. That weight holding me down had lifted and was able to look forward to the upcoming winter season and focus back to building my business once again.  For a little while at least.

Thanksgiving weekend with some time to get some things done around the house and yard I took in the beautiful weather doing some yard work in preparation for winter's start. Getting my gutters cleared of the fall leaf debris was top of my list that day before they froze in from the upcoming forecasted snow. I climbed that ladder like I’d done thousands of times but just as I was about to step on the roof, I felt the world go out from under me as the ladder slipped out catching my leg and dragging me down with it. I fell 8.5 feet, landing back first on the ladder. My small frame buckled under the intense pain that slammed into me at the same time. I thought well at least I’m alive but thought for sure my hip was shattered from the impact. I lay there 40 min awaiting the arrival of the ambulance, my whole body shaking from the shock setting in. 24 hours later I was released from the hospital, suffering from 2 fractured vertebrae, slipped disk and loss of feeling to my lower right leg. I am grateful though I was able to stand on my own two feet and lived to tell the story.

The last few months of 2023 have been focused on healing. Not only physically but mentally. In November I had a lump removed and while still awaiting pathology on it I’m optimistic it's non-cancerous. My back may never be fully healed but working through physio to get it the best it can be. While I still lose feeling to my foot still, there has been much improvement from where I was a few months ago. Winter has yet to really arrive here in Saskatchewan. No snow even heading into the New Year and Fall like temps. Maybe it eventually will see winter shine and I can play with the snowflakes again soon. Even with the uncertainty of where life will take me or what it has in store choose to focus on what amazing things 2024 can bring me. Like a sunflower, my stem's strength enables me to thrive as it provides stability and prevents me from toppling over. While rough along the edges it gives me the resilience and determination to survive, even in the face of adversity. Entwined in the stem are the amazing people I have around me who support me in ways that they will never quite know and allow those beautiful golden petals to spread out and shine.

I normally do not share what's behind the beauty, smile, and positivity I choose to face the world with, but what makes the sunflower and amazing thing is what allows it to bloom for us. The backside of a sunflower may not receive the same attention as its vibrant petals, but it is an integral part of the flower's beauty and strength. Its rough texture and resilience in the face of adversity serve as a powerful metaphor for our own lives. Let us draw inspiration from the sunflower's backside, embracing our own rough edges and finding strength within ourselves. Just like the sunflower, we can stand tall, face the sun, and bloom beautifully, no matter what challenges come our way.

Prairie Innovation-Snow Planes

Huge piles of snow, bitter cold and winds that can tear through sturdy buildings.  The climate here in Saskatchewan can be unforgiving at times especially in the winter months. For people living in the prairies, we are no stranger to this and have a way of figuring out how to live comfortably in our climate using some inventive thinking. This was especially the case back before the modern luxuries we enjoy today like heated seats and command start for our vehicles.

One invention to come out of our Prairie winters was something called the snow plane. Two of North America’s biggest snow plane manufactures came from Saskatchewan, and it was Patented right here in the province. Fudge snow plane from Moosomin in 1929, and the Lorch snow plane from Spy Hill in 1935. They were widely used across the Canadian Prairies, northern United States and even Soviet Russia. Both are on display at the Western Development Museum in Moose Jaw.

Fudge Snow Plane at Western Development Museum in Moose Jaw Saskatchewan

Lorch Snow Plane- Western Development Museum in Moose Jaw

Don’t let the name plane fool you, this machine has no wings and does not fly. It’s more akin to a snow hovercraft than a plane. An enclosed body on skis with a rear mount engine boasting a plane propeller to push you on your merry way across the snow packed prairies. It became an essential part of prairie winters starting in the 1930’s and 40’s as an alternative to Horse drawn cutter sleighs. There weren’t many cars or trucks in those days, fewer roads, and even fewer snow-plowed roads. Snow planes offered up a way for doctors to make cross-country house calls, including baby deliveries, as well as getting RCMP and utility companies around the heavy snowfall on the prairies.

Karl Lorch with his first snow plane-Village of Spy Hill

Later they became more widely used as farmer's who could afford them bought one or built their own. There are probably as many if not more snow planes built on farms and backyard shops, than manufacturing plants. People used vehicle engines, plane parts, and sleigh parts to build these machines, some of which could go as fast as 80km/h or more. These machines were not heated, and most did not have brakes, or seatbelts. The body or shell was usually made with Canvas or wood to keep the wind out. The possible danger factor did not stop piles of kids clamouring in to get to school, or families heading in for supply runs, or leisure rides.

Wilf Connors snow plane outside his farm house

Hearing about the arrival of one of these machines at the Kindersley & District Plains Museum, I jumped at the chance to see it first-hand one of these home-built contraptions for myself. The Connor family from the Smiley area donated their home-built snow plane to be put on display, and it arrived on site November 24th

Floyd Connor posing with his fathers snow plane

This snow plane was built by Wilf Connor and his brother-in-Law Ken Clark on Ken’s farm. Both had previous versions of snow planes, but they decided to build their own and “get it right this time” Talking with Floyd Connor son of Wilf he remembers how Rural snow plows of the day could not tackle the sometime 15 foot snow drifts that would form across roadways along shelter belts. At this time horse drawn sleds were being phased out in the prairies and snow machines were not around yet. It was also at time when farming practices often left very little by way of stubble and weeds in the fields, to hold back the the blowing snow from the howling winds. Floyd remembers impressive winter storms that legends are made of. Without the snow planes, getting around could be near impossible in the prairie winters

Connor kids atop a giant snow drift on the prairies

Wilf ushered many of the area’s kids to school in this machine and they would cram in with blankets to stay warm. What a leap that must have been, going from an open, horse-drawn sleigh to an enclosed cockpit with a giant propeller on the rear end. The memories shared by family bring a smile to your face. Floyd recounts how farmers needed something productive to do during the long winter months. His dad would come home smiling from working at the shop until the wonderous new black and yellow snow plane sat outside their house. Wilf would have the foot pedal pushed right to the floor and a little grin that showed just how pleased he was with his success. Trudy recounts how her mother Ruth was maybe less impressed at times especially when she had gotten baby Trudy successfully down for a nap and the loud snow plane would go ripping by the window, thwarting her efforts. The snow plane itself has fond memories and a bonding experience for the family. As Trudy tells it “When the drifts were like concrete, we were air-born sometimes. What a wild ride! And for brakes, you ask? Dad just stuck his foot out the door. Crazy! But so fun! “

Trudy, Wilf, Floyd and Wayne standing with the snow plane

After this machine had sat for quite a few years the family decided to get it up and running again. It arrived at its new home at Kindersley Museum fully functioning and when offered a ride I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to experience what riding in one of these machines was really like.  Floyd warned me, “it drives like lightning sounds like Thunder” which made the storm chaser in me giggle.

Curtis Kornelson and his son Deegan after delivering the snow plane to the Museum

Started by whipping the propellor to fire up the engine, the wind storms the exhaust and propellor caused would knock your hat off, so you didn’t want to stand too close to its back end. Inside the canvas wrapped frame it was loud but surprisingly sheltered from the wind. Sitting in the worn seats ripping around the grounds of the museum connected me a bit to the many great memories this artifact holds, not just for the Connor family but for many raised in the prairies during that time. After the rides were done, we warmed up with coffee with member of the museum board and was treated to an array of stories of snow planes and growing during that time. I could tell what a perfect addition this would be to the museum. The excitement of this donation was palpable in the room.

Snow planes were phased out in the 60’s as better means like snow machines became common use instead, and plows became better equipped to handle the prairie winter roads cleared. I couldn’t help but wondering though while flying across the snow how much fun it would be to have one of these machines for covering our crazy winter storms here in the prairies now. But I think we will leave this prairie gem at that museum instead.

Prairie Oddities-Ponteix’s Mo

Saskatchewan has this unique way about it, often hard to put into words. Its landscape is vast and diverse. From the thick forests and lakes in the north, rolling hills and open farm land in the central areas, to the badlands, grasslands, and hills carved out centuries ago in the south.  It offers up a vast array of things to see. I put on thousands of miles exploring this province and one of my favourite things that seems to be universal across the province is our love of town icons or mascots.  Roadside attractions, that allow a good stopping point to stretch your legs and have some fun and laughs. Just about every town has one that tells a unique story of the area in an ever so fun way. 

This past summer while exploring the south end of our province I came across one such gem in the small town of Ponteix, Saskatchewan, located near Grasslands National Park. The Plesiosaur named Mo caught my attention right away and how could it not, with it standing 8 feet 10-inch-tall overlooking the entrance to town. Even in the dark, Mo stands out like the icon it is.

Mo on his perch on Highway 13

The statue, while large, actually is about half the size of what the original reptile was. Standing next to it puts into perspective what massive magnificent creatures used to roam here 70 million years ago on the very soil I explore now. With its toothy little grin it’s a must stop for a quick photo with this icon.  He’s always more than happy to pose.

The fossilized remains of the Plesiosaur were found 6 km's N.E. of Ponteix, by Bob St. Cyr, a high school student at the time in 1992. It took a few years to uncover all that remained of this massive 8 meter long sea creature.  Not only is it the first of its kind to be found in Saskatchewan, it also marked a discovery of a new species and genus previously undiscovered. The species was named Erminonatator Ponteixiensis, which means the last swimmer from Pontiex. It’s one of these things that is unique to Saskatchewan because this reptile has only ever been found in Saskatchewan.

Mo was recently relocated from his original home to within town limits near the Co-op gas station where a park is being built for a beautiful new home for this great piece of Saskatchewan history. He loves visitors and while he’s not keen on giving rides on his back, he is more than happy to give his toothy grin for photos

When you see him let him know Jenny sent you and feel free to use the hashtag #LostInSk to share your experience with me or any other interesting things in your travels.

Mo at his new home in town

Prairie Gems - Merid & Magna

Here in Saskatchewan, history is laid out in front of us, painted under our big living sky’s. Every back road you drive on there is a story to be found. I guess that’s the reason exploring Saskatchewan is so intriguing to me. The landscape speckled with old, churches, houses, barns and schools. Each of them tell us the story of our past you can almost hear whispered on the wind.

There is so many hidden gems, but my favourite are those that can be found in my own back yard. The most amazing part is seeing history come back to life, to be enjoyed again and filling those buildings with laughter and memories. I came across one of these amazing gems recently between Alsask and Marengo in the old hamlet of Merid.

A quaint B&B and event venue Merid & Magna is nestled among some rolling hills off the main highway 7. With spectacular views of the Saskatchewan prairies. That would be selling point right there for me, but what makes this place unique and intriguing is that its two old school houses repurposed into beautiful rooms with high ceilings that offer up some history as well as an extremely cozy atmosphere where you can immerse yourself in the true soul of the Saskatchewan prairies.

Merid School

Merid B&B

On the property sits the old Merid school, originally constructed in 1912. This one room school house has one of the most unique designs that I have seen on the prairies, with these amazing windows facing south that would have basked the children in the warm prairie sun. The school operate until 1953 and eventually the building was used as a community center until the 1980’s. A cairn and flagpole were added to the site in 1980 to commemorate both Merid and the school. It is the last remaining building of the Merid Hamlet.

The second Building on the property is Magna Bonum School that was constructed in 1911 in the RM of Milton Located North of Marengo. In the 1960’s it was moved into Marengo as an extra classroom and later was in use as a Hall. In 2016 the owners of this beautiful B&B saved this amazing piece of history from being lost and torn down. Which in itself makes this particular building a treasure

Magna Bonum School

Magna B&B

Kathy & Keith Warrington completed renovations in 2021 after seven years of off and on restorations preserving a small piece of our history in a glorious manner. They managed to bring modern comfort with a sense of history into spaces it is hard not to feel at home in. Simply an amazing place for a get away, bringing family and friends together or any event for that matter. As the owners say - There is something about being “in the middle of nowhere” that seems to be the key to building memories, feeling profound peace and being able to breathe.

The restorations of these amazing pieces of history are done in meticulous detail. places need to be seen to be truly enjoyed for the treasures they are. They make you feel at home and welcome in every way as well as bringing a sense of peace enjoying the beauty of “The Middle Of Nowhere” I know that these building’s will continue to be filled with laughter and memories for years to come.

To enjoy these gems yourself visit https://www.meridandmagna.com/