Monday Mural

I'm linking up at Monday Mural hosted by Oakland Daily Photo.

July 2013 - Calgary Alberta

Blue Monday

I'm linking up at Blue Monday today.

July 2013 - Calgary Alberta

Random photos from the Agriculture displays at the Calgary Stampede.

Llama

Auctioneer

Stagecoach

Denim

Monday Mural

I'm linking up at Monday Mural hosted by Oakland Daily Photo.

July 2013 - Calgary Alberta

Another mural from the Calgary Stampede grounds.

Born in Arbroath, Scotland and educated in Dundee, James "Cappy" Smart emigrated from the tartaned land in 1881 at the age of 16, initially toiling as a mortician's apprentice in Winnipeg.

He arrived in Calgary two years later on Oct. 19, 1883, accompanied by his uncle Thomas Swan, and found a job in a sawmill owned by former Northwest Mounted Policeman Major James Walker (who later became Col. James Walker).

"When we got off the train east of the Elbow River, it was a raw, cold day and as far as we could see, Calgary was nothing but a village of tents," Cappy would later recall.

Tents and shacks were scattered along the hills and flatlands near the train station east of the Elbow River. Local businesses included the I.G. Baker Company (general store and freighters), The Hudson's Bay Co., a saddlery merchant, various grocers and confectioneries, the Calgary Hotel and a large saloon.

Cappy Smart first appeared on the volunteer rolls of the original bucket brigade in August 1885 as a ladderman, rising to the rank of hose captain by 1891. Prior to becoming a full-time firefighter, Cappy worked at many jobs, including lumber jacking, surveying and prospecting. He also operated Calgary's first undertaking and embalming service, selling the business in 1891.

Three Smart brothers served with the Calgary Fire Department: James "Cappy" Smart, John (a chemical wagon driver) and Julian (horse wagon driver) — but Cappy was the standout and became Chief on March 21, 1898.

The blunt-spoken Scot was a formidable leader and provided colourful inspiration to both his men and his adopted community.

Cappy was the man to contact if an event needed to be organized; seldom did anything happen in Calgary without his involvement or that of the fire department.

Cappy was the parade marshal for the Calgary Stampede for a record 35 years and also presided as the starter of the annual Calgary Herald Road Race. He was elected to executive positions in several professional organizations and was a driving force in the founding of the Dominion Fire Chiefs Association, later called the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs.

Data source

Shadow Shot Sunday

Shadow Shot Sunday

July 2013 - Calgary Alberta

Weekend Reflections

Posting at Weekend Reflections.

July 2013 - Calgary Alberta

A rainy day at the Calgary Stampede, but all that water created good reflections. The weather improved in the days after. Click on ths link for more photos from the Stampede.

Skywatch Friday

I'm linking up over here today.

July 2013 - Calgary Alberta

Midway at the Calgary Stampede, not my usual blue skies but it had finally stopped raining.

Monday Mural

I'm linking up at Monday Mural hosted by Oakland Daily Photo.


July 2013 - Calgary Alberta

A mural at the Calgary Stampede grounds.



Hot Time In the Old Town Tonight


Late last night when we were all in bed,
Mrs. O'Leary left her lantern in the shed.
Well, the cow kicked it over, and this is what they said:
"There'll be a hot time in the old town tonight!"
When you hear those bells go ding-a-ling,
All join 'round and sweetly you must sing.
And when the verse is through, in the chorus all join in:
"There'll be a hot time in the old town tonight!"
For dramatic effect, shout out "FIRE, FIRE, FIRE" at the end of the first verse.

Silly variant: Ten nights dark when bed we all were in,
Old Leary lady hung the shed her lantern in,
And when the kick cowed it over, she eyed her wink and said
"There'll be town hot in the time old tonight!"

Saturday Snapshot

 

Saturday Snapshots is hosted by West Metro Mommy. 

July 2013 - Calgary  Alberta

We decided to make a flying visit to Calgary to visit friends and to attend the Calgary Stampede. What fun this was even though we got the rainiest day. It absolutely poured when we arrived so much so that as we were taking shelter we were debating whether we would go to the Rodeo for which we already had out tickets. We decided to go to Nashville North for a beer and a burger and listen to the entertainment for a while to see if the rain would let up. Nashville North is a tent so we still had puddles to content with as the rain flowing in rivulets.

You can read the Stampede's blog here.

The rain abated and we decided to go to the Rodeo. Events had been delayed due to the event. Even though it had poured the stands were full as the opening ceremonies begain.

You can tell we were in for more rain!

And then the action begins. This was our first ever rodeo so it was a very interesting experience.
The Calgary Stampede Rodeo is the world’s richest tournament-style rodeo, featuring over $2 million in prize money. Contestants are divided into two pools. The top four money winners in each pool advance to Showdown Sunday. The remaining six competitors in each pool compete on Wild Card Saturday. The top two in each event advance to Showdown Sunday – Rodeo’s Richest Afternoon with over $1 million to be given away. It all leads up to a one shot, go-for-broke performance with winners taking home the Calgary Stampede Championship and $100,000.

Wordless Wednesday

 

I'm posting at Wordless Wednesday today.

 
Also posting at Signs, Signs.

July 2013 - Calgary Alberta

Monday at the Calgary Stampede

Our World Tuesday

Our World Tuesday

July 2013 - Calgary Alberta

52 Photos Project

This week's theme is I went for a walk and this is what I found...

At the Calgary Stampede!!


July 2013 - Calgary Alberta

Hell or High Water!

We're heading to Calgary tomorrow for five days! A "spur" of the moment idea after we cancelled our longer driving version of this trip. 

We will be visiting friends who just moved there and catching some of the Calgary Stampede's events. 

We were able to cash in some frequent flyers points as we wouldn't be going at the current airfare prices of over $800 each!!
Some events have been canceled due to the dreadful flooding which the area suffered.



The theme song is Hell or High Water You can listen to it here at the Stampede's official web site.
You can also buy a T-shirt at this site.
"Hell or High Water" is the result of a collaboration between a number of performers from this year's TransAlta Grandstand Show - and their efforts to boost morale and celebrate the spirit shown in the wake of the floods. Written by Marc Martel (who performed in Toronto's long running tribute to Queen, We Will Rock You which we saw THREE times), this anthem features backing vocals by The Young Canadians of the Calgary Stampede and was produced by Emmy Award-winning Dave Pierce, who is set to become Grandstand Show Producer next year.

From start to finish the entire song was completed in a mere 48 hours during a busy time of final preparations and rehearsals for the Grandstand Show.

Martel isn't the only artist using music as a remedy. Blake Reid, a country musician from Cremona, Alta., also wrote a song entitled Hell or High Water that's received some attention since he posted it online last week.