March 30,2020
7:17am
Oh what a beautiful Sunday we had!
After being cooped up in the house for more than 2 weeks,
a new found friend and almost distant cousin/Pangasinan neighbor ( Malasique native of the Mamaril clan) of Ruel
invited us to go on a road trip around the prairie lands of magnificent and
expansive Manitoba.
It was a rush-rush of bathing and getting ready.
At past one, we were on the road. Temperature was
bordering a few degrees below zero, and thus, the fluffy new neck scarves were
a must. White for Marina and I, pink for Marcelina.
Bebe sis prepared some pancakes for brunch which I had to for go in favor of the left over pizza of Saturday night.
We had one stop before heading for the highway to St.
Agathe, Coop Gas.
Our super eager tour guide exclaimed through text, pump
price of 69 cents is something he has not seen in their 30 years here in
Canada.
Indeed, these are extra ordinary times we live in.
Once you get into the highway 75 South heading towards
Emerson, you pass through vast and vast flat land with birch trees and
evergreens lining up the highway in endless procession. All holding countless
stories, witnessing the rise and fall of many passers by…
One sign I missed taking a photo of went this way: God?
Heaven knows! Knows
so.
Speed limit was 100, thus, my wish to halt the rental Kia
Rio was aborted mid thought.
Remo’s beautiful
house was located behind a wonderful French church…St. Agathe church looked
old, yet stately and well kept with a
dignified small cemetery behind it which looked similar and so familiar in movies watched through all the years
Marcelina dozed off to sleep as soon as we left the city
limits but was awakened to see lots of things along the way. She oohhed and
ahhed a lot to sightings of horses, cattle, several species of birds especially
the Canada Geese flying always in formation. I was so happy to see numerous BIG
RED BARNS of nursery story books.
The moment we left Bridgewater trails, I sighted and
counted more than 7 couples, at times with children in tow, walking their dogs
along our journey to nearby towns and
cities like Steinback, Dominion and town of St. Agathe, Niverville, St.Pierre Jolys, Vita, Sundown
and finally to Piney. The sun was decidedly scorching the snow into runny water and
March saw spring before its last days.
I am so eager to experience Autumn for the first time. I
long to see the play and blast of colors in nature screaming bright orange,
yellow and red.
Meantime, I remind myself to focus and enjoy every step
of the way.
Spring brings in new hope after the freezing below zero
readings.
Remo’s rented out farm
in Piney is 150 hectares of land devoted
to wheat, canola and beans. He and his wife Chun with their furry babies Mac and Jazz ( German Short Head Pointer) patiently saw us into snow boots
so we could see their very own, handmade Mongolian Yert.
A Yert is a round tent traditionally made of skin. Theirs
was made with tarp and had a sun roof. It had a wooden patio wrapping around it
with 2 sets of deck chairs positioned to make you admire the wonderful
surroundings. One of Remo’s DIY clay (alien eye) head greeted you from one of
it’s corners. Upon close inspection it was a wonderful work of clay art of some mystical aqua monster.
I was super awestruck that Remo and wife Chun built all the structures in their farm themselves. How I wish I could be as handy with wood work and carpentry. What projects could I launch perhaps?
Marina and
Marcelina tried on( Quebec proudly made) snow sandals made of birch and animal
skin. It looked like a bigger Pelota racket.
It made walking in almost 2 feet deep snow a breeze for
them while I had so many hearty laughs sinking into every other step I made. Surprisingly , my cotton army camouflage pants
didn’t get soaked.
On the way back to the cars, a quick breeze whiz pass by
us with a loud crack. Marina had visions of the Ice Age movie when the snow
cracked for more than 5 meters a few feet away from us.
It was nothing but sure gave me a fright.
We were just given a tidbit of geological lessons by Remo
on why the Red River that snakes through Winnipeg is a river that flows north
ward, not downward. It sits on the Agassiz glacial plate which tilted during an
earthquake 100 years ago ( thereabouts.)
I expressed my wish I wouldn’t be here to witness the
time it decides to tilt again.
We grabbed sandwiches from Tim Horton in Niverville before heading back home. We hoped to see deers along the way but didnt. Next time perhaps.
In the meantime, I end this blog with some photos and prayers that no matter what the situation we may face us in the days ahead, we always have the choice to remain CALM and KIND.
As Jesus showed us His might and strength in calming a raging storm, we rest to sleep each day with that assurance, that He will not abandon us when we call on Him for help.
Jesus, cover and heal us all from the Covid 19 virus. Mary, Our Mother, pray and intercede for us.
