Grain Elevators were the link between the farmers of western Canada prairie and the railroad that carried away the grains to towns, ports, and ultimately consumers. We consume grains every day in many forms and in many products without knowing how they are grown or come into our homes. Bread is only one of such products, wheat flour is used in many other consumables from Chinese style seasoning to powder detergents.

Old and abandoned elevators are part of the landscape around Calgary and a group of volunteers, in the town of Nanton are working hard to save the elevators that sit by Highway 2 and goes through Alberta to Montana. Their goal is to create and develop a discovery center to preserve and promote the history and culture of farming, grain elevators and the associated rail roads.

I spent a full day with the board of that organization. As a humble member, I was invited to participate in a strategic planning session facilitated by a great pedagogue who enlighten me on what goes on in the board room of corporations.

I learned a lot, not only about strategic planning, but also about wildlife, rail roads, farming, snow, horses, Canadian constitution, the Crown, and many other topics too numerous to recall. This was a full fledged experience. that gave me more than an insight on the kindness, hospitality, generosity, of the people of Nanton. And of course, I ate too much…

If you are in the area, go check the town. The hotel downtown has live music most nights, the food is great and the people are fun. The antique shops are full of treasures while the landscape towards the foothills is magical…

Even though the temperature was quite cool (-22C, -8F), we went to visit Heritage Park with some friends. It was really interesting to see all those buildings that have been transplanted from different parts of Alberta to recreate an historical experience.

If you go there, I encourage you to stop by the bakery and taste a couple of sausage rolls. They were delicious and quite unique.

This afternoon, we drove to Bragg Creek, a small town south west of Calgary. It is a very pleasant community hidden among tall evergreen trees. I took some pictures and I must say that I wish that I could have pressed the shutter button through my glove. The temperature was -23C (-10F) and even without wind, you can feel your fingers getting cold (and red) after only a few minutes.

I know that some individuals—who I will not name here—wishes me to freeze to death in Calgary especially when they live in a warm climate such as Houston.

But, let it be known that winter is not here quite yet and I am exorcising the dreaded season by posting some photos on my Flickr account. Photos were taken in October in Southern Alberta at an elevation greater than 1000m. I will insist on the fact thet there is no  snow on those photos.

This morning, I called some of my friends and neighbors in Houston and I was glad to hear that Ike moved over Houston without too much damage, at least in the area where I used to live.

However, I must exclusively report that Ike has affected Calgary in unsuspected ways and I have unaltered photographic proof to illustrate my discovery.

This morning, Melissa and I traveled to the South East of Calgary and we came across a building stuck in the ground reminding me of the scene in the Wizard of Oz right after Dorothy arrives in Munchkinland and in which the ruby-slippered Wicked Witch of the East get smashed by Dorothy’s house.

I am convinced that Houston is now missing a church and that this church can be found in Calgary.

It appears that some people try to discredit my findings and have been too far in claiming that “Device to Root Out Evil, a work in steel, aluminum and glass by New York artist Dennis Oppenheim, looks like an upside-down New England church with its steeple planted in the ground.”

You will certainly agree with me and I need your help to locate the site in Houston where this church comes from. Please report your findings in the comments to this post.