Blog | laura bachynski

0 Off to Lloydminster on the Saskatchewan/Alberta Border

November 14, 2019
by Laura Bachynski
· Blog

Big Sky

Black cows

Frozen Grasses

Prairie Tower

Red Barn

Grain Elevator

Pretty Farmland

We MADE it !!!!!

WE HAVE NOW DRIVEN 11,500 KMS .

THE PRAYERS FOR OUR SAFETY HAVE BEEN FELT AS WE ( SO FAR) HAVE NEVER FACED ANY REAL DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS AND TODAY WAS NOT AN EXCEPTION : DRY ROADS AND SUNNY SKIES. ( THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HELPED US GET HERE)

I LOVE TO DRIVE AND WE ARE GOOD IN THE CAR TOGETHER . WE CAN MAKE OURSELVES LAUGH AT PRETTY MUCH ANYTHING SO THE TIME FLIES BY AND BEFORE YOU KNOW IT WE HAVE ARRIVED.

LLOYDMINSTER IS LOCATED DIRECTLY ON THE ALBERTA/SASKATCHEWAN BORDER. IT’S NOT A BIG PLACE BUT WE ONLY NEED A PLACE TO REST OUR HEADS BEFORE OUR VERY LAST SHOW TOMORROW ( OF THIS YEAR’S PART OF THE EASTERN MUSIC TOUR FOR SPIRITLINE) IN PARADISE HILL, SASKATCHEWAN. WE BETTER REMEMBER THE TIME CHANGE FORWARD FOR THE SHOW NEXT EVENING.

THE CLOSER WE GET TO HOME THE MORE EXCITED I AM ABOUT SLEEPING IN MY OWN BED AND SEEING OUR DEAR FRIENDS AGAIN. BUT THIS ADVENTURE HAS TOTALLY BEEN WORTH IT AND WE’LL NEVER FORGET IT OR THE INCREDIBLE PEOPLE WE HAVE HAD THE HONOUR OF MEETING.

0 Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan

November 13, 2019
by Laura Bachynski
· Blog

Moose Jaw day !

As seen upon entering town

A thing for vehicles high up

Look up …it’s a truck.

Old Theatre

Historic Town

Love these old bldgs

Good fortune.

WE DECIDED TO CHECK OUT THE HISTORIC TOWN OF MOOSE JAW. WE HEARD ABOUT A BIG MOOSE STATUE BUT YOU’LL HAVE TO WAIT FOR THAT PHOTO AS I AM SAVING ALL THE ‘WORLD’S BIGGEST’ STATUES FOR AN UPCOMING BLOG…. HA HA.

IT WAS A BLEAK DAY BUT A BIT WARMER THAN YESTERDAY AND THE ROADS WERE STILL CLEAR AS WE HEADED OVER TO THE TOWN. IT TOOK US ABOUT AN HOUR.

WE SPENT MOST OF OUR TIME THERE WALKING AROUND AND TAKING PHOTOS .

LUNCH WAS EATEN AT THE ‘UPTOWN CAFE’ WHICH WAS A DINER DRESSED UP TO LOOK LIKE AN ALPINE CHALET BUT DECORATED WITH CHINESE LANTERNS . WEIRD BUT IT HAD TASTY SANDWICHES.

AFTER ANOTHER WALK ABOUT IT WAS TIME TO HEAD BACK TO REGINA IN TIME FOR MUCH NEEDED MASSAGES. I CAN ALREADY FEEL MINE WORKING SO I AM VERY HAPPY.

WE THEN TOOK IN THE MOVIE ” JO JO RABBIT ” . WE BOTH LIKED THIS STYLIZED, DARK COMEDY. BUT BE WARNED THAT YOU WILL FEEL CONFUSED AT FIRST WITH THE THEME REVOLVING AROUND HITLER. NOT TO WORRY THOUGH BECAUSE THERE ARE MANY LESSONS TO BE LEARNED BY THIS 10 YEAR OLD, GERMAN BOY WHO IDOLIZES HEIR HITLER. I WAS BROUGHT TO TEARS TWICE BY THE END AND FEEL IT WAS QUITE POWERFUL IN ITS POSITIVE TEACHINGS DESPITE THE UNCOMFORTABLE START.

TOMORROW WE HEAD OFF TO LLOYDMINSTER AND OUR LAST SHOW OF THIS PART OF OUR CANADIAN TOUR. I CAN’T BELIEVE IT . OUR SHOW WILL BE IN A PLACE CALLED PARADISE HILL. ARE WE REALLY GOING TO BE SLEEPING IN OUR OWN BED THIS WEEKEND?

4 Regina : Madonna House Concert

November 12, 2019
by Laura Bachynski
· Blog

Terry, David, Dakota

Tea Break

“Christ in the Breadline”

The breadline

SpiritLine performs for mens’ lunch

Our Lady of Combermere in the Chapel

Huge pots for meals

A delightful dinner

Tables set for concert

WE HAD A GREAT DAY WITH THE MADONNA HOUSE FOLKS IN REGINA TODAY.

I HAD A SURPRISE SEEING OUR FRIEND, DAVID, THERE AS WE PREVIOUSLY BECAME FRIENDS BACK HOME IN OUR MARIAN CENTRE IN EDMONTON ! HE IS NOW PART OF THE COMMUNITY IN REGINA SO IT WAS GREAT TO RECONNECT WITH HIM.

CHARLIE, THE DIRECTOR OF THE REGINA MARIAN CENTRE MADE US FEEL WELCOME AND SOON WE PERFORMED A NOON HOUR CONCERT FOR THE MEN WHO ARRIVED TO HAVE LUNCH ON THIS COLD NOVEMBER 11TH.

THEY SEEMED TO ENJOY OUR MUSIC AND I THINK CHARLIE DESCRIBED IT AS ‘COMFORTABLE’ FOR THE GROUP. BUT I HAD THE BEST COMPLIMENT WHEN ONE OF THE TOUGHEST LOOKING MEN CAME UP TO US AFTER AND ASKED US IF WE WOULD LIKE TO JOIN HIM OUTSIDE TO SMOKE SOME WEED. ” IT’S LEGAL NOW !” HE SAID . SO I FEEL LIKE WE WERE COOL ENOUGH TO BE ASKED…HA HA.

WE WERE THANKED BY ALMOST ALL THE MEN AS THEY FINISHED THEIR MEALS AND RETURNED TO THE COLD. AND SUCH A COLD DAY….

TERRY AND I ENJOYED MEETING THE VOLUNTEERS AT THEIR TEA BREAK . LATER, TERRY AND I HAD A COUPLE OF HOURS TO OURSELVES ( WE LEFT TO HAVE LUNCH AND I HAD A WEE NAP WHEN WE GOT BACK TO OUR HOTEL. )

WE RETURNED TO JOIN THE STAFF AT A PRIVATE MASS IN THEIR CHAPEL AT 4 PM. .IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL EXPERIENCE AND ANOTHER SURPRISE AWAITED US AS THE PRIEST THAT LED THE MASS HAD BEEN OUR DEACON IN EDMONTON. IT WAS NICE TO SEE FR. CHIN AGAIN.

WE ALL HAD AN EARLY DINNER AFTER THAT AND BOY, WAS IT GOOD. WE ENJOYED SOME COMFORT FOOD : COTTAGE PIE AND COLESLAW FOR DINNER AND WARM APPLE CRISP FOR DESSERT.

OUR SECOND CONCERT STARTED AT 7:15 PM. AND WE ENDED UP HAVING ABOUT 50 PEOPLE ATTEND AND IT SEEMED LIKE IT WAS A GOOD NIGHT FOR EVERYONE. TERRY’S SONG HONOURING OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN THE MILITARY , ” THE MAPLE LEAF HAS FALLEN ” , WAS THE PERFECT ONE FOR NOVEMBER 11TH ( TODAY) . AS USUAL A FEW PEOPLE WANTED TO SPEAK WITH HIM AFTER ABOUT HOW MUCH THEY ENJOYED HIS ” CO-OP ” SONG .

I WAS THANKED BY SEVERAL PEOPLE FOR BRINGING THE CONCERT TO MADONNA HOUSE AND IT WAS NICE TO HEAR THAT THEY COULD HEAR ‘EVERY WORD’ AND THEY LOVED IT. I’M SO GLAD THAT WE HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO DO OUR 27TH CONCERT HERE. WE MET SUCH WONDERFUL , INTERESTING PEOPLE .

ONLY ONE MORE CONCERT BEFORE WE HEAD HOME. I CAN’T BELIEVE WE HAVE BEEN ON THE ROAD FOR TWO MONTHS. WE HAVE A ‘ DAY TO PLAY’ IN REGINA TOMORROW AND WE ARE GOING TO GET MASSAGES . OUR BODIES ARE SORE BUT OUR SPIRITS ARE LIGHT.

2 Driving to Regina, Saskatchewan

November 11, 2019
by Laura Bachynski
· Blog

Prairie View

As seen in Brandon, Manitoba

” Lady of the Lake ” Restaurant

Teacup truck

Old church

Altar view

Old pews

Pews and windows

Desks and window

Looking right

Prairie View

Snow prairie

My journal

TYPICAL DAY FOR OUR ROAD TRIP :

AFTER BREAKFAST WE RELOAD THE VAN. STOP AT A TIM’S OR McDONALD’S FOR TRAVEL COFFEE. CONFIRM GPS BEARINGS. PRAY ROSARY TOGETHER WHILE WE DRIVE. CHAT FOR AWHILE. LISTEN TO OUR CURRENT AUDIOBOOK. ( ONTO A GRISHAM BOOK NOW…” THE GUARDIANS ” ) . POSSIBLY STOP FOR PHOTOS. DEFINITELY STOP FOR WASHROOM BREAKS.

TODAY : LUNCH IN BRANDON, MANITOBA. A WONDERFUL FIND CALLED ‘ THE LADY OF THE LAKE ‘ WHERE WE ENJOYED A VERY GOOD LUNCH ( QUICHE FOR ME WITH TOMATO/PESTO SOUP) AND A BIT OF A CHRISTMAS SHOPPING EXPERIENCE IN THE ATTACHED STORE.

BACK ON THE ROAD AND WE HAD A FEW INTERESTING STOPS FOR OLD CAR PHOTOS FOR FUTURE PAINTINGS FOR MY ‘ WAYS TO GET THERE ‘ ART SHOW.

BUT MY FAVOURITE PHOTO STOP WAS IN SASKATCHEWAN WHERE WE SAW THIS OLD CHURCH IN THE DISTANCE AND DECIDED TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY TO EXPLORE BEFORE THE SUN SET. IT WAS SO COOL AND I REALLY LIKE THE SHOTS WE GOT TODAY. IT WAS OBVIOUSLY AN OLD SCHOOLHOUSE AS WELL AS A CHURCH AND I ALSO LOVE THE TRUCK OUTSIDE TOO.

WE WERE BLESSED TO HAVE PRETTY DRY ROADS TODAY AND ALTHOUGH IT REMAINED VERY COLD AND WINDY THE SNOW DIDN’T REALLY COME IN UNTIL IT GOT DARK AND WE WERE ALMOST THERE.

WE ARE FINALLY HERE IN OUR TYPICAL HOLIDAY INN WHERE MY ROUTINE IS TO WRITE THIS BLOG AND THEN WRITE IN MY LOVELY JOURNAL AS WELL. TERRY’S MUM GAVE ME THIS FOR MY BIRTHDAY THIS PAST MAY AND IT HAS BEEN A WELCOME COMPANION TO HELP ME REMEMBER THE DETAILS OF THIS ADVENTURE.

TOMORROW WE PLAY TWO CONCERTS FOR MADONNA HOUSE , REGINA.

0 Winnipeg, Part 2

November 10, 2019
by Laura Bachynski
· Blog

Snack time !

Huge Boxing Gloves

King Street

Known for being the windiest street in Canada

Old paint advertising

Neat old building

Beautiful tiled mural

St. Mary’s for mass

Terry at Joe Black’s

Ready to perform

A FEW MORE BUILDING PHOTOS TO SHARE WITH YOU. I REALLY THINK WINNIPEG IS BEAUTIFUL. AND THAT IS EXPERIENCING IT DURING THIS COLD, DREARY LOOKING DAY!

WE HAD A NICE MASS AT ST. MARY’S CATHEDRAL BEFORE HEADING OFF TO SET UP FOR OUR MANITOBA CONCERT AT JOE BLACK’S COFFEE HOUSE.

I WAS HAPPILY SURPRISED AT HOW PACKED IT WAS ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THIS LARGE COFFEE HOUSE IS NOT IN THE DOWNTOWN CORE.

WE HAD A RESPONSIVE AUDIENCE WHO ALTHOUGH WERE MOSTLY ENGAGED IN THEIR OWN CONVERSATIONS STILL SEEMED TO HEAR MOST OF THE SONGS AND WHO LOVED TERRY’S SIGNATURE SONG ! ( IT SOLD HIM A COUPLE OF C.D.’S !)

TOMORROW WE LEAVE EARLY FOR REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN…. WISH US LUCK !

0 Winnipeg , part one

November 10, 2019
by Laura Bachynski
· Blog

At the Forks

The huge art/food market at The Forks

Lots to see at The Forks

Behind The Forks Market

Incredible Museum of Human Rights

CPRail Bldg

The ‘ Ledge ‘

TERRY AND I SPENT THE DAY EXPLORING DOWNTOWN WINNIPEG . I HAD NEVER BEEN THERE AND WAS CURIOUS ABOUT THIS CITY THAT IS KNOWN FOR HAVING VERY HOT SUMMERS AND VERY COLD WINTERS.

I WAS VERY TAKEN BY THE BEAUTY OF THE ARCHITECTURE HERE AND THE LARGE ARTS COMMUNITY.

WE DROVE AROUND AT FIRST JUST CHECKING OUT THE LAY OF THE LAND AND CAME UPON ‘ THE FORKS ART MARKET’ WHICH WAS HOPPING WITH PEOPLE AND A NICE PLACE TO BE INSIDE ON A COLD, DARK DAY.

WE DID A WEE BIT OF CHRISTMAS SHOPPING ( SNOW AND COLD WILL HELP PUT ME IN THE MOOD FOR THAT) BEFORE WE LEFT THERE TO EXPLORE MORE OF THE CITY.

WE HAD A WONDERFUL ( ALTHOUGH EXPENSIVE) LUNCH AT ” KING AND BANNATYNE” WHERE WE ENJOYED FRESH SANDWICHES AND SOUPS.

I ENJOYED TAKING PHOTOS OF THE MANY WONDERFUL BUILDINGS, OLD JUXTAPOSED WITH THE NEW , LOTS OF MURALS AND REALLY OLD PAINTED ADVERTISEMENTS ON OLD BRICK EVERYWHERE.

TO BE CONTINUED….

0 5 States through to Manitoba, Canada

November 9, 2019
by Laura Bachynski
· Blog

The day started out sunny !

Acres and acres of cornfields

Our first sign of Canada

Our 5th U.S. State

Finally : The border crossing

” Fowl ” weather

Ugh.

Laura in Manitoba

THANK GOD WE HAD ANOTHER DAY OF DRIVING ON DRY ROADS BECAUSE ONCE WE FINALLY MADE IT TO MANITOBA……

WE HAD A SLIGHTLY SHORTER ROAD TRIP TODAY AND WE ENJOYED LISTENING TO OUR AUDIOBOOK ( SPOONBENDERS ) AND WATCHING MILES AND MILES OF ROLLING LANDS COVERED IN CORNFIELDS . IT WAS REALLY QUITE PRETTY.

WE HAD ANOTHER BOX RESTAURANT LUNCH AND IF I NEVER HAD TO EAT IN ONE AGAIN I WOULD NOT BE UPSET.

I WOKE UP THIS MORNING WITH AN UNUSUAL AMOUNT OF BODY PAIN SO I FIGURE I MUST BE JUST DARN TIRED . HOME IS CALLING TO US STRONGLY NOW.

HIGHWAY 29 TO WINNIPEG LOOKED LIKE WE HAD ENTERED THE APOCALYPSE…HA HA. INTERMINABLE MILES OF NOTHING TO LOOK AT…NOT EVEN A FARM HOUSE… FOR MILES AND THE SKY JUST DULL GREY.

WHEN WE NEARED THE BORDER INSPECTION WE PRAYED AGAIN THAT WE WOULD NOT BE PULLED OVER AND ASKED TO UNLOAD ALL OF OUR SOUND EQUIPMENT AND SUITCASES. PRAYERS ANSWERED AS THE VERY NICE, CANADIAN GIRL ASKED US , ” HOW WAS YOUR TRIP ?” AND WAVED US ON THROUGH. PHEW ! WE WERE IN THE NEXUS LINE TOO WHICH ONLY OPENED UP AS WE APPROACHED SO THAT MADE IT EVEN QUICKER.

AND HONESTLY, THE MINUTE WE CROSSED THE BORDER THE WEATHER STARTED TO GET MORE AND MORE SNOWY, THE SKIES DARKENED, AND WE COULD NO LONGER DENY IT : WE ARE STUCK WITH WINTER FOR THE NEXT 5 MONTHS OR SO. DOUBLE UGH !!!!! NO MORE PRETTY AUTUMN SCENES AND SWEATER WEATHER …BUT I WILL LIVE ON THE SWEET( PER)FUMES OF THE BEST FALL I HAVE EXPERIENCED IN YEARS.

WINNIPEG APPEARS TO BE A REALLY ATTRACTIVE CITY AS WE ENTER IT AND I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO EXPLORING IT TOMORROW BEFORE OUR CONCERT.

0 Road Trip to Minnesota

November 8, 2019
by Laura Bachynski
· Blog

Gorgeous farm

Sunny Day!

Road Trip in the U.S.

Unusual landscape in Wisconsin

Ice water

Evening draws close

Closer

Holiday inn Decor

ANOTHER LONG DAY ( 8 HOURS TODAY ) . IT FEELS GOOD TO KICK MY FEET UP ON THE BED AND WRITE FOR A BIT.

I WAS NERVOUS TO OPEN THE BLINDS AFTER THE ICY SLEET THAT CAME IN LAST NIGHT. BUT TO MY DELIGHT OUR PRAYERS WERE ANSWERED WITH BLUE SKIES AND DRY ROADS. IT WAS -10 BUT WE WERE COZY IN THE CAR AND IT FELT FAIRLY SAFE TO DRIVE. THE DRIVERS IN ALL 4 STATES HAVE BEEN CRAZY FOR WEAVING IN AND OUT AND SPEEDING BUT I AM IN DEFENSIVE DRIVING MODE ALL THE TIME. TERRY IS OUR NAVIGATOR AND THAT SUITS ME FINE AS I LOVE TO DRIVE AND I FEEL INSTANTLY NAUSEOUS IF I LOOK DOWN AT A PHONE IN A MOVING CAR.

WE TOOK A FEW PHOTOS FROM OUR MOVING VEHICLE WHICH TURNED OUT PRETTY WELL CONSIDERING. WE DIDN’T WANT TO STOP TOO MUCH AS WE KNEW IT WAS GOING TO MAKE THE DAY SEEM THAT MUCH LONGER.

TERRY IS CONGESTED WITH EITHER A PRESSURE HEADACHE OR A NEW COLD SO THAT IS ROUGH.

BUT : WE WILL BE HOME ONE WEEK TOMORROW. ONE LAST LONG DAY OF DRIVING UP TO WINNIPEG. PHEW.

0 Road trip through the States

November 7, 2019
by Laura Bachynski
· Blog

On our way to Winnipeg

Crossing into Detroit

Lunchtime!

BIG treats at Cracker Barrel

Oh noooooooo!

IT WAS A CRISP FALL DAY THIS MORNING WHEN WE TOOK OUR LEAVE OF MY PARENTS’ HOME AND HEADED OFF TO THE STATES TO GET AROUND THE GREAT LAKES.

ALTHOUGH IT WAS CLOUDY ..AT LEAST THE ROADS WERE DRY AND THE ( FAST) TRAFFIC MOVED RIGHT ALONG ALL DAY. I JOKED THAT WE HAD TO GO TO A ” CRACKER BARREL ” RESTAURANT FOR LUNCH BECAUSE I WENT THERE YEARS AGO AND IT WAS SOOOO GOOD. RIGHT AT NOON I TOLD TERRY THAT I WAS ACTUALLY HUNGRY FOR LUNCH AND WOULD YOU BELIEVE I LOOKED UP AND THERE IT WAS…( CUE ANGELIC HARPS) …THE FAMED FOOD ESTABLISHMENT. AND YOU KNOW WHAT ? IT IS STILL SOOOO GOOD.

WE SPLIT A FRIED CHICKEN, GREEN BEANS, BISCUIT AND SALAD PLATE AND IT WAS DELICIOUS. THEN WE DID A TINY BIT OF DAMAGE ( READ: SHOPPING) AT THE ATTACHED STORE AND THEN OFF WE WENT AGAIN.

OH….THE PHOTO I ATTACHED OF THE CANDY IS MISLEADING. FOR REFERENCE …THE CHOCOLATE BARS ARE THE SIZE OF THE FRONT OF A MICROWAVE! THEY MAKEM’ BIG IN THE STATES !

IT TOOK US 10 HOURS TO DRIVE THROUGH MICHEGAN, ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN AND FOR ABOUT THE LAST HALF AN HOUR THE WEATHER WENT FROM 15 DEGREES TO -1 AND THE SLEET/SNOW CAME ON FAST . UGH!

THANK GOODNESS OUR HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS HAS UNDERGROUND PARKING AND A HOT TUB TOO. WE’VE ALREADY TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF BOTH.

IF YOU ARE A PRAYIN ‘ TYPE PERSON…PLEASE PRAY THAT OUR LONG DRIVE TOMORROW WILL BE SAFE. THANKS SO MUCH.

2 Parting Shots, Windsor, Ontario

November 6, 2019
by Laura Bachynski
· Blog

My parents’ beautiful front yard

The iconic Dairy Freeze

My favourite one

AMAZING decorations

In our room

My parents

My sisters

Yours truly

Too much, almost too pretty to eat

More decor at Annabelle’s

An old grain mill

I HAD A WONDERFUL AFTERNOON WITH MY PARENTS AND TWO OF MY SISTERS.

I CANNOT RESIST DRIVING OUT TO KINGSVILLE AND ENJOYING THE MEAL AT ANNABELLE’S TEA HOUSE. ALTHOUGH I ONLY GO THERE ( USUALLY) ONCE A YEAR, I AM SUCH A REGULAR CUSTOMER THAT ONE OF THE SERVERS, SARAH, KNOWS ME NOW…HA HA.

AS YOU CAN SEE THE DECOR IS INCREDIBLE AND WHEN I GO THERE IN THE SUMMER IT IS JUST AS AMAZING TO LOOK AT.

THE FOOD IS THE BIG DRAW FOR FOLKS THOUGH AND THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME ( I AM EMBARRASSED TO ADMIT) THAT I FELT THAT THE ‘BRITISH SAMPLER’ WAS TOO MUCH FOOD. BUT TALK ABOUT FRESH FRESH FRESH AND DELICIOUS.

ON THE WAY HOME WE STOPPED TO TAKE A FEW MORE PHOTOS .

SO : TODAY IS THE DAY I HAVE TO SAY GOOD-BYE TO MY PARENTS. SIGH. THEY HAVE BEEN SO LOVELY , KIND, AND GIVING. LAST NIGHT WE DROVE OVER TO BID ADIEU TO TERRY’S FOLKS TOO. OH MAN, WE ARE SO BLESSED TO BE IN THEIR COMPANY AND WE WILL MISS THEM SO MUCH.

MUST GO….

TIME TO HEAD TO DETROIT AND THROUGH THE STATES TO GET AROUND THE GREAT LAKES. ( IT WOULD HAVE ADDED SEVEN HOURS TO OUR DRIVE IF WE WOULD HAVE CHOSEN TO GO EAST/NORTH AROUND THEM) .

BACK ON THE ROAD….

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