Courting Saskatchewan

Michael Payne is head of the research and publications program, Historic
Sites and Archives Service, Alberta Community Development, and the
co-author of A Narrative History of Fort Dunvegan.

Why do we chose to live where we do? And how does home become home?
David Carpenter embraces those things that make Saskatchewan and
Saskatoon home to him, and in this book, he offers a series of anecdotes
and personal stories that explain their appeal to him.

The author’s list of Saskatchewan and Saskatoon’s attractions is an
impressive one. In fact, he finds virtues in every season, even
Saskatchewan’s notorious winters. (Properly viewed, winter is merely
an opportunity to test your moral fibre by sleeping in a snow house and
coping with six hours of daylight.) Perhaps predictably, most of his
stories revolve around friends and family and a real appreciation of
Saskatchewan’s landscape. Less predictably, Carpenter is eloquent
about fishing and hunting, defending both as true nature lovers’
pastimes. (He also makes an excellent case for avoiding fishing trips in
remote areas until well after nasal surgery.)

In the end, he offers no great metaphysical explanation of why home is
home, or indisputable reasons why Saskatoon is a great place to live.
Readers living in Vancouver will not suddenly see the error of their
ways, sell, and move to Saskatchewan. But if you live in Saskatchewan,
Carpenter provides some useful ammunition that you can use the next time
a friend from Victoria phones in February to tell you about the
daffodils blooming in the yard.