There is a new culture of recycling. For years people have been putting out used items in their garbage never thinking that anyone would bother to look through it and maybe pick up some items of interest. Today this practice is not only common but encouraged. Many towns and cities have special days for cleaning up the large items in your home or garage and setting them out for collection and eventually the landfill site. On these occasions people often drive around to look for treasures. It iIs remarkable to discover some of the great usable items to be found.
Many people will label specific things to show their value and to tell the finder that it is serviceable or needs repair. I for one have been a collector for longer than I would like to admit. Furniture, appliances, garden tools and numerous items are no longer needed or wanted and they can be recycled. I have found many good things which ended up being refinished and put to use. Most of the valuable items were given to friends and service organizations for fund raising or general use. Some of most prized possessions were castaways from someone but were perfect for me.
Here in Florida where homes have been foreclosed or abandoned there are whole households of furnishings thrown to the curb. Good pieces can and are salvaged for reuse. I recently saw a documentary about well to do ladies in New York who started a groug called the Dumpster divers. These bored ladies regularly looked through dumpsters near their homes and salvaged goods which were restored and sold to raise money for charity. This group encouraged others to do the same and now it has become fashionable to become a collector.
How foolish to see an item ready to fill our landfill sites when they could be made useful. So get your gloves and get ready to become a Green person and share in the joy of recycling. You might be surprised with the people you will meet at that pile of treasures on the side of the road.
Much of the fun here is in the reclaiming of goods and with a little paint or cleaning placing them back where they can be of use. I would encourage you to place good items out a little early so they may be salvaged by your neighbour or just a collector. In our city it is estimated that these programs of reuse have saved thousands of tons being placed in our landfill sites and gave years added to their continued ability to receive necessary garbage.
Years ago when I was a collector sometimes my grand children would like to come with me. They were excited to find things but were a little embarrassed if I wished to stop beside a house where their friends lived. Today this may still be true but I am sure there is a change in attitude and your rewards are worth the little embarrassing moments.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Our Eagles Have Landed
One of the first things Theresa and I do when we come back to our winter home is to seek out our Eagles. One particular pair has an interesting history as the female hit a power line and suffered a broken wing.It is almost impossible to fix a wing accident but the bird doctors,with the help of some pins and magic had her flying with her partner in short order.
`had three young ones but one was either pushed out of the nest or was killed but in any case the two grew and grew until they were as large as the parents.
We would see these birds every day and watched real tough love as the parents forced the fledglings literally out on a limb and left them there. Days went by and still the parents would not permit them to enter the nest. One tried its wings and flew about five feet to another branch. The stubborn one never moved.
After what seemed like an eternity we observed one flying just before we arrived there by the nest.I was a sight like no other as the young eagle flew high and tumbled and looked as if it was putting on a show for the public. Its landing back to the home tree was not as graceful as it plunged through branches and made a crash landing on the nest. The other one bolstered by the show decided to fly as well and for days we could see the four of them soaring through the blue sky.
That was five years ago and since that time the family increased by two each year except one when a single eaglet was matured.The family changed religion as well as the pair took up residence in the Catholic Parish lot and held up construction on a youth center. Our other pair are still missing but we will find them eventually. It is really amazing how these birds impact our community. People go out of their way to go to see these friends on the way to work or returning. There is even a camera on the nest so anyone can watch the intimate life of the Eagle. I will try to get the code of that camera.
Many people say that if they were another life besides a person it would be the dream to fly free and high like an eagle.
`had three young ones but one was either pushed out of the nest or was killed but in any case the two grew and grew until they were as large as the parents.
We would see these birds every day and watched real tough love as the parents forced the fledglings literally out on a limb and left them there. Days went by and still the parents would not permit them to enter the nest. One tried its wings and flew about five feet to another branch. The stubborn one never moved.
After what seemed like an eternity we observed one flying just before we arrived there by the nest.I was a sight like no other as the young eagle flew high and tumbled and looked as if it was putting on a show for the public. Its landing back to the home tree was not as graceful as it plunged through branches and made a crash landing on the nest. The other one bolstered by the show decided to fly as well and for days we could see the four of them soaring through the blue sky.
That was five years ago and since that time the family increased by two each year except one when a single eaglet was matured.The family changed religion as well as the pair took up residence in the Catholic Parish lot and held up construction on a youth center. Our other pair are still missing but we will find them eventually. It is really amazing how these birds impact our community. People go out of their way to go to see these friends on the way to work or returning. There is even a camera on the nest so anyone can watch the intimate life of the Eagle. I will try to get the code of that camera.
Many people say that if they were another life besides a person it would be the dream to fly free and high like an eagle.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Human Sadness Caused By Human Greed and Stupity
Five years ago Cape Coral was the fastest growing city in all of the USA. Nearly a thousand building permits were issued each month and people were hired to take care of the building boom.Office workers to process the paper, planning people to approve the plans presented and inspectors to check the many building code requirements caused turmoil at the city hall building department.
Workers came from every part of America and arrived to find work of every kind. Skilled labour was at a premium and builders had to settle for less than acceptable standards. City officials were swamped and tempers flared when plans were not approved in a timely fashion. Building lots that were regularly sold for $3000 sky rocketed to almost $100,000 in four years. Water lots sold for almost a million and more. It was a building boom like no other.
Companies were advertising for house to be sold like rent to own at low interest rates for three years and people snatched these deals like candy. We sat back and wondered at the traffic and the influx of foreign workers. It was estimated that there were 30,000 Mexican labourers in our area and they were great workers as well.
Commercial enterprises sprung up and as an example there three restaurants on Pine Island Road and in three years there were over thirty five. Everyone seemed busy and waiting lines at stores and eating establishments was routine.
Half ton trucks with ladders and small trailers were everywhere and radio stations and newspapers were blaming the snow birds for all the accidents. It was unreal. The boom ended with as much speed as the boom began. Overnight reports of bank problems, insurance companies and trust funds in difficulty and companies going out of business faster than you could count. The whole thing was a nightmare. For we who are here for the sun and the quiet winter season were unaffected. Our houses were worth less but we lost nothing and will not until we sell.
Now we sit by our pool, bike on near empty roads past many empty houses and enjoy the peace we came here for in the first place. The workers have gone, there are vacant stores and half built businesses and dreams shattered by our own greed and stupidity. I hope we learned something from all of this but I still see adds for cars reading, no money, no credit, no problem and so on.
Life here is good for us but we see much pain and suffering and I believe it will be years before there is a return to the American dream and great way of life.
Workers came from every part of America and arrived to find work of every kind. Skilled labour was at a premium and builders had to settle for less than acceptable standards. City officials were swamped and tempers flared when plans were not approved in a timely fashion. Building lots that were regularly sold for $3000 sky rocketed to almost $100,000 in four years. Water lots sold for almost a million and more. It was a building boom like no other.
Companies were advertising for house to be sold like rent to own at low interest rates for three years and people snatched these deals like candy. We sat back and wondered at the traffic and the influx of foreign workers. It was estimated that there were 30,000 Mexican labourers in our area and they were great workers as well.
Commercial enterprises sprung up and as an example there three restaurants on Pine Island Road and in three years there were over thirty five. Everyone seemed busy and waiting lines at stores and eating establishments was routine.
Half ton trucks with ladders and small trailers were everywhere and radio stations and newspapers were blaming the snow birds for all the accidents. It was unreal. The boom ended with as much speed as the boom began. Overnight reports of bank problems, insurance companies and trust funds in difficulty and companies going out of business faster than you could count. The whole thing was a nightmare. For we who are here for the sun and the quiet winter season were unaffected. Our houses were worth less but we lost nothing and will not until we sell.
Now we sit by our pool, bike on near empty roads past many empty houses and enjoy the peace we came here for in the first place. The workers have gone, there are vacant stores and half built businesses and dreams shattered by our own greed and stupidity. I hope we learned something from all of this but I still see adds for cars reading, no money, no credit, no problem and so on.
Life here is good for us but we see much pain and suffering and I believe it will be years before there is a return to the American dream and great way of life.
Too Hot
I never thought I would complain about the heat but here I go. We arrived here to record cold on the 17th and saw temperatures about the high forties. Immediately after the weather changed and we are experiencing record highs every day. Nobody has ever seen the daytime temps in the low nineties at this time of the year. The humidity is also high so we are living in a green house with temperatures feeling like over 100.
After only 9 days the garden is great with carrots, beets, lettuce and beans all up and running. The tomatoes were three inches when I purchased them and they are almost a foot high now. People and vegetables have a different heat tolerance. Our pool is a friendly oasis and without it we would be suffering even more.
It looks like we will be having another week of this extreme weather and then normal again.We are a funny bunch and hard to please so a few weeks from now I might be saying how cool it is. Personally I accept whatever is served but the ladies have a different thermostat than I. Granny Doris likes to be out of doors but recently she has been house bound and that is not good. So much for the weather as we do live in paradise and we would never trade it for the cool north during the winter.
After only 9 days the garden is great with carrots, beets, lettuce and beans all up and running. The tomatoes were three inches when I purchased them and they are almost a foot high now. People and vegetables have a different heat tolerance. Our pool is a friendly oasis and without it we would be suffering even more.
It looks like we will be having another week of this extreme weather and then normal again.We are a funny bunch and hard to please so a few weeks from now I might be saying how cool it is. Personally I accept whatever is served but the ladies have a different thermostat than I. Granny Doris likes to be out of doors but recently she has been house bound and that is not good. So much for the weather as we do live in paradise and we would never trade it for the cool north during the winter.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Market Square
Every Saturday without fail Theresa and I rise early and have coffee and me - tea and off we go to the market armed with our cloth bags and a long list of needed veggies. Cape Coral has a great farmers market in the center of the city. About 8 acres in size and parking in the immediate area for 1000 cars or trucks makes it a friendly destination.Theresa always goes right for the fresh flowers and usually picks carnations. We have counted over 60 blooms on a bunch and sometimes we get two to fill the house with colour if we are having company. Meanwhile I check out the entertainment which is usually a country and western singer and mostly very talented.
Radishes, sweet potatoes, lettuce and every known vegetable is displayed and you pay the farmer or family direct. The citrus section is particularly inviting as you are in the citrus belt of Florida. I try mostly all the fruit and experiment with new exciting varieties unknown to me. Trees are for sale and flowers to plant and special deals on palm trees complete with a helping hand to deliver and install.
Baked goods flourish with an ethnic slant and German breads sell out quickly. Fundraisers abound and there is always a little Brownie or Cub wanting you to buy a cookie or make a donation. The rib man has his huge stove, wood fired, all set to provide your evening meal and many folks are at your service enticing you to break that diet with goodies of all sorts.
We meet friends and neighbours, dozens of dogs and surprises every week. We love our market and make it a must visit when folks come visiting in the winter months. It makes me feel connected to the rural community and supports my strong feelings about the farmers and their families struggling to stay on their land.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Mocking Birds
The state bird of Florida is the Mocking Bird.This robin sized bird is found everywhere in the state. We have a few families living in our yard area and they make life interesting for we bird watchers.These birds can imitate sounds and noises and other birds and are able to carry on for hours.
Frequently they will land on our window ledges and because we have tinted windows they will fight themselves in the window. They eat flying bugs and Will be seen flying in eratic directions until they catch their prey. Little creatures like geckos are a favourite and many are seen without tails because the birds grab them by the tail and it breaks away and the gecko escapes. We have hundreds of these little creatures around and they are a good friend.
Geckos eat small flies, aphids, mosquito's and fleas and are great at helping to keep our pool area free from pesky critters.The day before yesterday I was greeted by a 5 foot black rat snake. I lifted a piece of wood and it was asleep, all coiled up. My first thought was to take it in to show Teresa but she told me it would not be a good idea. It was beautiful with coal black skin and yellow eyes. The tongue was about 5 inches long and it was happy to be released outside our yard and made a straight bee line for the cover of the pine tree when I released it.
Last year I had two visits from a miniature rattler. These little fellows are only 18 inches long and are pesky but their bite is not very dangerous. Twice I had visits from Tarantulas living in our bananas. One had a ball of babies and they ran in all directions when I uncovered them by accident. I released these as well in the trees outside our yard.
The best find was the family of black widow spiders in my water system. I captured one and took it home to Oakville and gave it to my grandson to take to school to show the kids. Teacher had no sense of discovery and was not pleased. We finally put the spider down but what a chance to see nature at its best. How many kids actually have a chance to see a black widow spider? Well I got in a little trouble but all ended well.
Well now that you have met some of our friends from the neighbourhood you can see why we love it here in Cape Coral. I still think the Mocking Bird is the winner and they keep reminding us that we only share the yard we live in.
Frequently they will land on our window ledges and because we have tinted windows they will fight themselves in the window. They eat flying bugs and Will be seen flying in eratic directions until they catch their prey. Little creatures like geckos are a favourite and many are seen without tails because the birds grab them by the tail and it breaks away and the gecko escapes. We have hundreds of these little creatures around and they are a good friend.
Geckos eat small flies, aphids, mosquito's and fleas and are great at helping to keep our pool area free from pesky critters.The day before yesterday I was greeted by a 5 foot black rat snake. I lifted a piece of wood and it was asleep, all coiled up. My first thought was to take it in to show Teresa but she told me it would not be a good idea. It was beautiful with coal black skin and yellow eyes. The tongue was about 5 inches long and it was happy to be released outside our yard and made a straight bee line for the cover of the pine tree when I released it.
Last year I had two visits from a miniature rattler. These little fellows are only 18 inches long and are pesky but their bite is not very dangerous. Twice I had visits from Tarantulas living in our bananas. One had a ball of babies and they ran in all directions when I uncovered them by accident. I released these as well in the trees outside our yard.
The best find was the family of black widow spiders in my water system. I captured one and took it home to Oakville and gave it to my grandson to take to school to show the kids. Teacher had no sense of discovery and was not pleased. We finally put the spider down but what a chance to see nature at its best. How many kids actually have a chance to see a black widow spider? Well I got in a little trouble but all ended well.
Well now that you have met some of our friends from the neighbourhood you can see why we love it here in Cape Coral. I still think the Mocking Bird is the winner and they keep reminding us that we only share the yard we live in.
Monday, October 26, 2009
A New Beginning
A week and a day later I am finally able to get to the important things in life like writing my blog. After a phone call to my friend John I realized that some people actually read these little outpourings of the soul. My routine in Florida is much different than in Canada and takes some getting used to. Early to rise and write will be my main objective.
My daughter has taken on the task of trying to organize my body of writing so I may complete my stories in some semblance of order.Since I simply let my hands do the walking on the keyboard it takes some discipline to make sense out of the fractured thoughts that make up my memories.
Bloggers who share their work have given me hope that when I complete my stories they will be a body of memories that my friends and family will be able to read and have a chuckle or two as well. I never realized how empowering writing can be and sharing satisfies a need I never realized existed within my makeup. The next five months will be truly a test to see if I can actually complete my mission.
My daughter has taken on the task of trying to organize my body of writing so I may complete my stories in some semblance of order.Since I simply let my hands do the walking on the keyboard it takes some discipline to make sense out of the fractured thoughts that make up my memories.
Bloggers who share their work have given me hope that when I complete my stories they will be a body of memories that my friends and family will be able to read and have a chuckle or two as well. I never realized how empowering writing can be and sharing satisfies a need I never realized existed within my makeup. The next five months will be truly a test to see if I can actually complete my mission.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Almost Settled
Some say a rest is a good thing but I really missed my blog writing. Theresa and I had a good trip south with 92 year old Doris in the back seat looking for the nearest rest stop. We travelled 1650 kms the first day and stopped in Atlanta for a few hours of rest. We cruised at 115 km for 16 hours and there was not a complaint. Snow greeted us when we crossed the border at Buffalo but when we reached Cleveland the snow was rain, and all was well.
We arrived at our southern home at 3.30 pm the next day and was greeted to a shuttered home with no running water and a tired crew. The ladies unloaded the van while I took off shutters and did the man thing. I found all the trees happy and healthy and the grass well cut so I felt that the folks keeping our place did a good job.
We were excited to settle in and now the work begins. Trimming the trees, checking the fruit trees for bugs, killing fire ants and dusting and moving furniture out on the patio. I am tired thinking of it but it really was not too bad at all.
I shall show pics on my next blog so I will keep in touch.
We arrived at our southern home at 3.30 pm the next day and was greeted to a shuttered home with no running water and a tired crew. The ladies unloaded the van while I took off shutters and did the man thing. I found all the trees happy and healthy and the grass well cut so I felt that the folks keeping our place did a good job.
We were excited to settle in and now the work begins. Trimming the trees, checking the fruit trees for bugs, killing fire ants and dusting and moving furniture out on the patio. I am tired thinking of it but it really was not too bad at all.
I shall show pics on my next blog so I will keep in touch.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Due South
Tonight I am packing the last things we need for our journey south. Theresa has many, many nice clothes and shoes to match. I have a dodge grand caravan and I measure the space with the load and I have just enough space for my golf clubs, fishing tackle and tools. We should leave at 3.30 am if all goes well. Anyway we made the packing pretty well and left a space for Doris so all is well.
The months we had here were great and in two months we will return for Xmas. I will miss my family and friends but the sun Will make it easy to relax and forget the snow and dull weather. Bye for a day or two and good blogging.
The months we had here were great and in two months we will return for Xmas. I will miss my family and friends but the sun Will make it easy to relax and forget the snow and dull weather. Bye for a day or two and good blogging.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Time and Space
There was a time when I dreaded leaving home and going south for the winter. Today I prepare to leave without that feeling of being isolated from my family and friends. The communications among our family are such that with a touch of the finger you are able to talk to your loved ones and for a long time if you wish. Telephone companies have plans that enable people to talk anytime as long as you wish for a small cost. Gone are the days when a long distant call would cost a fortune for just a few minutes. I called from Amsterdam one time and talked to my family for a short time and it was $55.
Facebook, blogs and email make the effort of keeping in touch as easy as sitting and keying in a message. My grand children have cameras on their computers and can talk like you are in the same room. All this being said it does not replace that hug or kiss when greeting your family.In our clan we see each other quite often except for some who live a distance away.
We encourage our family to visit us in the sunny south but that is not always possible. Over the years we have had the privilege of having them come for a visit and it really makes our stay so much better.
Facebook, blogs and email make the effort of keeping in touch as easy as sitting and keying in a message. My grand children have cameras on their computers and can talk like you are in the same room. All this being said it does not replace that hug or kiss when greeting your family.In our clan we see each other quite often except for some who live a distance away.
We encourage our family to visit us in the sunny south but that is not always possible. Over the years we have had the privilege of having them come for a visit and it really makes our stay so much better.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Last day of Golf in the North.
This am at 6.45 am I got up to play golf and as I opened the front door to get the Toronto Star I was met with real cold air. It felt like -3. I returned to the kitchen to heaten up the kettle to make my green tea and looked out the window and saw frost on the neighbours roof. What am I thinking of ?
I check my cold clothes and select a layering thing with a sweat shirt, a golf shirt and a wind resistant outer cover just in case.I ate my cereal and drank my two cups of green tea and realized that my ride was due in a few minutes. My golf bag felt heavier, my feet moved slower and I felt a coolness in the air. I managed to get the bag to the curb and returned to the warmness of the front hallway. I was greeted by my wife who declared that I was crazy to go this day as it might give me a cold or something thus hurting our chances of leaving for Florida in three days.
Common sense does not apply to golfers so I went out and stood by my clubs waiting for my ride. I quickly threw my clubs into the small trunk of this mini van and climbed in the back seat. The two already picked up confirmed that we were crazy but the talk quickly turned to the shots we made last week. They were better today than last week but we never correct as we probably do a little apple polishing ourselves.
We arrived at Century Pines and I found I was the only one in shorts and I received a few comments , none complimentary but rather questioning my sanity. Our game was great and the weather and temperature was never mentioned as we played for four and a half hours on the course. This day I was lucky and split the pot. Eight players and $2 each gave us a total of $8. What a win and since it was my last until May I have bragging rights for the winter.
I was delivered home and had a hard time getting out of the van and carrying my clubs to the garage without limping was a chore. God , golf is a great sport.
I check my cold clothes and select a layering thing with a sweat shirt, a golf shirt and a wind resistant outer cover just in case.I ate my cereal and drank my two cups of green tea and realized that my ride was due in a few minutes. My golf bag felt heavier, my feet moved slower and I felt a coolness in the air. I managed to get the bag to the curb and returned to the warmness of the front hallway. I was greeted by my wife who declared that I was crazy to go this day as it might give me a cold or something thus hurting our chances of leaving for Florida in three days.
Common sense does not apply to golfers so I went out and stood by my clubs waiting for my ride. I quickly threw my clubs into the small trunk of this mini van and climbed in the back seat. The two already picked up confirmed that we were crazy but the talk quickly turned to the shots we made last week. They were better today than last week but we never correct as we probably do a little apple polishing ourselves.
We arrived at Century Pines and I found I was the only one in shorts and I received a few comments , none complimentary but rather questioning my sanity. Our game was great and the weather and temperature was never mentioned as we played for four and a half hours on the course. This day I was lucky and split the pot. Eight players and $2 each gave us a total of $8. What a win and since it was my last until May I have bragging rights for the winter.
I was delivered home and had a hard time getting out of the van and carrying my clubs to the garage without limping was a chore. God , golf is a great sport.
Monday, October 12, 2009
The Day After
Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year and brings families and friends together one last time before Christmas. Many people in the world this year are suffering from mother natures wrath with floods, earth quakes and mudslides. We do have much to be thankful for living in this great country with few climate related tragedies.As I prepare for departure to the south I clean up little chores. One thing I love to do is to empty the remaining food for the bird feeders and the peanuts for the chip monks and squirrels.It is amusing and entertaining to see just how many peanuts a chip monk can stuff in that double sided pouch. They are so fast in delivering their burden to the secret hiding place and returning for another load.
The black squirrels eat most of their new found bounty or bury it close to guard against sharing. The birds generally will sit together and share the seeds except for the blue jays who dominate the scene. It is a competitive out there for wild animals and birds.
Cutting down the last flowers and vegetables leaves a scene of preparedness as the ground is ready for next years planting. This year is considered an excellent crop year in our area.I collect the seeds and carefully bottle and label each one for next year.It is amazing how much you save by doing this and you know you have proven stock. Drying the bulbs and replanting is fun but somehow we forget how they multiply and sharing is a necessity. This year we ended up with over 600 daffodil bulbs. We planted 100 three years ago.
One chore I could do without is wrapping the cedars and Alberta spruce. Burlap cut to size and carefully placed around the trees reminds me of a dressmaker unfurling cloth around a model to create a masterpiece. When I complete my work it is not a masterpiece and never looks very good.
The last wheelbarrow of compost is spread over the garden and lawn and it is retired for the winter. The tools are stored and lights and ornaments taken in and cleaned and placed where they have been every year. I close the storage shed and garage door until Christmas. Oh yes I take out the snow shovel and snow scoop and place it close at hand for our return at Christmas. Another season is complete and we begin the cycle all over again.
Life is wonderful.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Thanksgiving
In simpler times, 1948 to be exact, Thanksgiving had a very loud message. In Cape Breton the coal miners were on strike, my oldest sister was in teachers college, and come Sunday you had to take stock to see what you should be thankful for. As usual our family hustled around trying find clothes, shoes and anything else needed for the special church service. This was a hectic time in our house with 10 people getting ready.
Mom made her usual inspection of we young ones and a second look at our shoes and so on. Gifts for the poor were to be taken and dropped in the large boxes at the entrance to the church.We never thought that we were included when poor was discussed. We always had food and mom made our clothes and knitted our socks and mittens. This particular morning I was wearing a white shirt which Mom made from a hand me down, and it had stitching around the collar in brown thread. I loved that shirt and always felt good when I wore it.
We walked up the lane with the normal bantering among the girls and boys. I splashed my sister by accident but received a good word from Mom to behave. I never understand that expression because to my memory I always behaved, sometimes badly - but sometimes good. We arrived at church and waved to our friends and took our two rows of pews at the right front of our church.
The service was great with special music and old Rev. O'Brien clearing his throat and praying for the poor, the sick and everyone who had a problem began what was to be a special service. The strike was discussed and the message I got was help our neighbour who is in need. We left the church and wanted to run home to our big dinner.
Mom and Dad prepared the meal. Our own chickens, turnip and potatoes from the garden and fresh picked cranberries from - where else - Cranberry Bog, Dad's birthplace. Gravy was Mom's specialty and her pumpkin pie, apple pie and bread pudding was a hit. We missed our sister that Sunday and talked about her and the problems with the strike and how it effected our life in Sydney Mines.
On our last day of school before Thanksgiving the Red Cross gave all the students a special treat. Every morning we were given a half pint of milk and a jam sandwich. That Friday we received chocolate milk, jam and peanut butter sandwich and a small tub of ice cream. We were thrilled and thankful.
Those memories are still strong in my mind and when we celebrate our family special today I harken back to the simpler times when we appreciated very little, very much. Today we will enjoy our family and eat good food, prepared in a special way and feel joyful for what we have received. Our family always takes time to speak of the past and remember others are not as fortunate as we, and to think of our family who are missing from our table.
Mom made her usual inspection of we young ones and a second look at our shoes and so on. Gifts for the poor were to be taken and dropped in the large boxes at the entrance to the church.We never thought that we were included when poor was discussed. We always had food and mom made our clothes and knitted our socks and mittens. This particular morning I was wearing a white shirt which Mom made from a hand me down, and it had stitching around the collar in brown thread. I loved that shirt and always felt good when I wore it.
We walked up the lane with the normal bantering among the girls and boys. I splashed my sister by accident but received a good word from Mom to behave. I never understand that expression because to my memory I always behaved, sometimes badly - but sometimes good. We arrived at church and waved to our friends and took our two rows of pews at the right front of our church.
The service was great with special music and old Rev. O'Brien clearing his throat and praying for the poor, the sick and everyone who had a problem began what was to be a special service. The strike was discussed and the message I got was help our neighbour who is in need. We left the church and wanted to run home to our big dinner.
Mom and Dad prepared the meal. Our own chickens, turnip and potatoes from the garden and fresh picked cranberries from - where else - Cranberry Bog, Dad's birthplace. Gravy was Mom's specialty and her pumpkin pie, apple pie and bread pudding was a hit. We missed our sister that Sunday and talked about her and the problems with the strike and how it effected our life in Sydney Mines.
On our last day of school before Thanksgiving the Red Cross gave all the students a special treat. Every morning we were given a half pint of milk and a jam sandwich. That Friday we received chocolate milk, jam and peanut butter sandwich and a small tub of ice cream. We were thrilled and thankful.
Those memories are still strong in my mind and when we celebrate our family special today I harken back to the simpler times when we appreciated very little, very much. Today we will enjoy our family and eat good food, prepared in a special way and feel joyful for what we have received. Our family always takes time to speak of the past and remember others are not as fortunate as we, and to think of our family who are missing from our table.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Inuit Circle Of Wellness
While working in the Arctic one of my job related goals was to mesh the many agencies that worked independently into a cohesive unit where services could be rendered to needy people. In a quick analysis of services I discovered that some people were having treatment from as many as five agencies at one time. We had a substantial budget for all these independent units but the Inuit were not well served.
After a meeting with the elders and group officials we determined that one wellness committee would serve the people better. After clearing the idea with the government's social services minister I was given a green light to proceed. All the agencies were happy about bringing the groups together under on roof with one clear mandate.
The women in the community were frustrated with the lack of communication between the protective services (RCMP), the courts and the wellness objectives. We held a Circle meeting. It was a voluntary coming together with 21 women, 1 RCMP, a lay minister and myself. The group pretty well was a microcosm of the women in the hamlet.
Traditional prayers were said and one old elder (61) began to tell her story of abuse, neglect and indifference to the conditions of the women who lived here in the hamlet. The women sat quietly listening to this respected person and there were sighs of agreement and tears as they all felt in tune with the speaker. As she finished one after the other told their stories.
There is a rule that what is said in a circle will not be repeated nor judged. I was so moved with the stories that I was determined to make a change.We the listeners were all changed that night and the RCMP corporal had his eyes opened and were filled with tears when he heard about the lack of sensitivity experienced by these women.
These women had alcohol abuse, drug addiction in some cases, been physically and mentally abused and nearly all have suffered from generic rape. Our small committee decided to hire a coordinator of wellness and to get to work. With a budget (substantial), a donated building and a determined group headed up not by the coordinator but the women themselves work started at once. This was only one of my responsibilities but I was able to contact the most wonderful lady who was a retired social worker.
I will call her Mary but she was something else. Five foot tall,tough as nails and a background in aboriginal settings she was the perfect one. She came in like a hurricane and never stopped nor looked back once she had her task outlined. Everyone respected her and kept well out of the way when she was on a mission. She did her job and when her 6 month contract was completed we had a special circle for her.
Instead of 21 women in need having a circle the meeting was held in the recreation hall and nearly every women in the hamlet was there as well as all of council and many men. People spoke to her and recognized her value because when she left she did not leave a void but rather a infrastructure to carry the project forward.
I invited the minister to come and she did with others from the government in Yellowknife. Our hamlet was better for the effort and I as a person looked at the Inuit and their elders in a far more compassionate way. I loved these circles and saw their value but it was only the beginning.Times have changed and life is better for women in the Arctic but there are still issues to to be looked at and work to be done.
When I left the Arctic the minister attended our annual meeting of the hamlets and gave me a small token. I still treasure it . It is a medallion with an Inukshuk stamped on it. The inscription read, The difference you make today counts in all our tomorrows.
After a meeting with the elders and group officials we determined that one wellness committee would serve the people better. After clearing the idea with the government's social services minister I was given a green light to proceed. All the agencies were happy about bringing the groups together under on roof with one clear mandate.
The women in the community were frustrated with the lack of communication between the protective services (RCMP), the courts and the wellness objectives. We held a Circle meeting. It was a voluntary coming together with 21 women, 1 RCMP, a lay minister and myself. The group pretty well was a microcosm of the women in the hamlet.
Traditional prayers were said and one old elder (61) began to tell her story of abuse, neglect and indifference to the conditions of the women who lived here in the hamlet. The women sat quietly listening to this respected person and there were sighs of agreement and tears as they all felt in tune with the speaker. As she finished one after the other told their stories.
There is a rule that what is said in a circle will not be repeated nor judged. I was so moved with the stories that I was determined to make a change.We the listeners were all changed that night and the RCMP corporal had his eyes opened and were filled with tears when he heard about the lack of sensitivity experienced by these women.
These women had alcohol abuse, drug addiction in some cases, been physically and mentally abused and nearly all have suffered from generic rape. Our small committee decided to hire a coordinator of wellness and to get to work. With a budget (substantial), a donated building and a determined group headed up not by the coordinator but the women themselves work started at once. This was only one of my responsibilities but I was able to contact the most wonderful lady who was a retired social worker.
I will call her Mary but she was something else. Five foot tall,tough as nails and a background in aboriginal settings she was the perfect one. She came in like a hurricane and never stopped nor looked back once she had her task outlined. Everyone respected her and kept well out of the way when she was on a mission. She did her job and when her 6 month contract was completed we had a special circle for her.
Instead of 21 women in need having a circle the meeting was held in the recreation hall and nearly every women in the hamlet was there as well as all of council and many men. People spoke to her and recognized her value because when she left she did not leave a void but rather a infrastructure to carry the project forward.
I invited the minister to come and she did with others from the government in Yellowknife. Our hamlet was better for the effort and I as a person looked at the Inuit and their elders in a far more compassionate way. I loved these circles and saw their value but it was only the beginning.Times have changed and life is better for women in the Arctic but there are still issues to to be looked at and work to be done.
When I left the Arctic the minister attended our annual meeting of the hamlets and gave me a small token. I still treasure it . It is a medallion with an Inukshuk stamped on it. The inscription read, The difference you make today counts in all our tomorrows.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
The Joy Of Eating Lobster
As children eating lobster was not a treat. Cape Breton lobsters were plentiful and cheap. My father tells me of hand netting for lobster off the pilot boat wharf in Cranberry. The idea was to throw a hand net out with dead perch or other fish tied to the net. Wait a short while and give the net a jerk to upset the lobsters and pull it in very fast. The lobsters when upset would grasp the net and hold on until the net came to the surface. You had to be quick as the lobsters would let go as soon as they break the surface.
This method was used by kids and produced some real great lobster because there was no size limit. Stories of lobster reaching nearly twenty lbs. was not uncommon. Commercial fishermen had to use the restrictive 4 inch head to permit only smaller lobsters to be caught. Sometimes large lobsters would be found outside the trap but tangled in the netting.
Our family as others at the time would eat lobster whenever as our dad would buy them by the dozen, usually $2 a dozen. The girls in particular would not like eating them because they were messy creatures and hard to manage. The proper way to eat lobster is to lay out newspater, place the lobster there and make the proper cuts to get to the flesh and enjoy. Large bibs will help but be prepared to get thod delicious squirts of lobster juice. It is best to wear a bathing suit,as we often did and take a swim immediately after consumpion.
Today lobsters are a valuable commodity costing up to $12 a pound except this year when demand dropped and you could buy them for as low as $4.50.
This summer when Theresa and I travelled to the Maritimes my mother in law gave us $50 to have a feed of lobster. This was a late promised gift for our anniversary. Little did she know that the price would be so low and we were able to have our fill of freshly cooked lobster two times for this amount. We would pick out the lobsters we wished to be cooked and wait until the man performed his magic and we would eat them there on the shore or outside table. They always taste so much better right out of the pot and Theresa who always says she will have a little of mine ate her share for sure.
We both said at the time they were the very best and that is how I always feel when you treat yourself once or twice a year.Now days three 2 lb. lobsters will suffice but in earlier days we would eat many more. Maybe the price has something to do with our appetite.
Whatever the cost I always think of the fishermen who risk their lives producing this delicacy for us. Nearly every person in Cape Breton knows or is a relative of a lost fisherman. You can't put a price on a lost life.
This method was used by kids and produced some real great lobster because there was no size limit. Stories of lobster reaching nearly twenty lbs. was not uncommon. Commercial fishermen had to use the restrictive 4 inch head to permit only smaller lobsters to be caught. Sometimes large lobsters would be found outside the trap but tangled in the netting.
Our family as others at the time would eat lobster whenever as our dad would buy them by the dozen, usually $2 a dozen. The girls in particular would not like eating them because they were messy creatures and hard to manage. The proper way to eat lobster is to lay out newspater, place the lobster there and make the proper cuts to get to the flesh and enjoy. Large bibs will help but be prepared to get thod delicious squirts of lobster juice. It is best to wear a bathing suit,as we often did and take a swim immediately after consumpion.
Today lobsters are a valuable commodity costing up to $12 a pound except this year when demand dropped and you could buy them for as low as $4.50.
This summer when Theresa and I travelled to the Maritimes my mother in law gave us $50 to have a feed of lobster. This was a late promised gift for our anniversary. Little did she know that the price would be so low and we were able to have our fill of freshly cooked lobster two times for this amount. We would pick out the lobsters we wished to be cooked and wait until the man performed his magic and we would eat them there on the shore or outside table. They always taste so much better right out of the pot and Theresa who always says she will have a little of mine ate her share for sure.
We both said at the time they were the very best and that is how I always feel when you treat yourself once or twice a year.Now days three 2 lb. lobsters will suffice but in earlier days we would eat many more. Maybe the price has something to do with our appetite.
Whatever the cost I always think of the fishermen who risk their lives producing this delicacy for us. Nearly every person in Cape Breton knows or is a relative of a lost fisherman. You can't put a price on a lost life.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Banking Our House For Winter
Years ago when I was young and living in Cape Breton a yearly ritual was banking the house for winter. Our houses did not have basements as we have today but were built on heavy sills made of wood. There were often openings to the outside world under some houses which did not have a cellar. A cellar consisted of a dug out area under the house used for storing winter potatoes and other vegetables.
Our house was built by my Dad and friends and was a project in the making. My father never stopped improving our house and digging the basement after the house was built was back breaking work. The earth had to be carted out with a wheel barrow or shovelled out through an opening.
Dad wanted a proper basement so every year he would build a permanent wall out of bricks or concrete blocks. The work seemed to take forever but he per served and finally we had a basement with a coal furnace and storage bins for our garden produce . Dad even had some tools there and would do some wood work and repairs for the house.
Until this was done every year we would put up a board wall about a foot high all around the house and fill the space between the wall and the house with sawdust or shavings from the mill.This protected the house from the north-west winds which swept our town during the winter months. It seemed like someone sounded the signal an everyone was busy doing the same thing. Neighbours helped each other and horse drawn loads of saw dust made the task easier. Some people still used earth to bank their house but this rotted the bottom cedar shakes and caused future damage.
I never thought this task as work as it was a necessary ritual and I am glad it is a memory rather than a task to be completed this week.
Our house was built by my Dad and friends and was a project in the making. My father never stopped improving our house and digging the basement after the house was built was back breaking work. The earth had to be carted out with a wheel barrow or shovelled out through an opening.
Dad wanted a proper basement so every year he would build a permanent wall out of bricks or concrete blocks. The work seemed to take forever but he per served and finally we had a basement with a coal furnace and storage bins for our garden produce . Dad even had some tools there and would do some wood work and repairs for the house.
Until this was done every year we would put up a board wall about a foot high all around the house and fill the space between the wall and the house with sawdust or shavings from the mill.This protected the house from the north-west winds which swept our town during the winter months. It seemed like someone sounded the signal an everyone was busy doing the same thing. Neighbours helped each other and horse drawn loads of saw dust made the task easier. Some people still used earth to bank their house but this rotted the bottom cedar shakes and caused future damage.
I never thought this task as work as it was a necessary ritual and I am glad it is a memory rather than a task to be completed this week.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Sunny Monday
The sun was shining early this morning as I peered through our front window. After so many dreary days in a row we were ready for some sunshine in our life. The full moon lit up our bedroom last eve and gave us a hope for a bright new day. What a difference the weather makes in our lives.This being the last few days before going South I was busy with the beets and carrots which had to be pulled and prepared. The beet greens are a special treat for us and I try to get my family to enjoy this nutritious and tasty vegetable. Fall is so encouraging for people who observe the seasons. The fall is the time of plenty and as I drive through our countryside I see a year marked by bountiful crops ( the best in years) and rich harvests.
Our own little neighborhood is a blaze of colour and everyone is busy with the leaves and garden preparations for next spring. Our daffodils split so many times during the last three years I have no place to plant all the new bulbs. My friends in the valley have great gardens and take pride in their grounds and I become jealous of the amount of land to plant and look after. I am running out of places to grow new stuff and I am told every year to downsize but how can I not plant those irises the neighbour threw out or the chestnuts that fell from our tree?
Once you have your hands in the earth and see the wonders of nature growing before your eyes you are hooked. It becomes a way of life, a passion which is passed on to your children so they too might experience the magic of planting a seed and growing a carrot.
Once I played a trick on a son in law who came from Toronto and thought vegetables came from the grocery store. We planted some onions, the kind you use as green eating onions. He helped me and asked how long they would take to grow. That night I put three or four large cooking onions in the row with the seeds. My son in law was amazed the next day when he discovered the growth level in the Ottawa Valley. He picked one of the onions and with utter amazement came in to show us the miracle. The joke was on him but sadly it is too often true these days when most of our population lives in cities and know next to nothing about growing food.
I have to check the beets boiling on the stove because last year I really made a mess when they boiled over. This day is already better because the sun is shining brightly and I am working with my harvest.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Miss Pembroke
The Miss Pembroke was a WWII motor boat that was built in 1942 in Midland, Ontario; double planked mahogany construction on black oak keel and riveted with copper. No steel was used in this 47 foot launch as it was often used in mine fields. After the war this boat was used as a cargo and passenger vessel on the lakes system of the Trent Canal. Later it was the boat used at the lift lock cruise line in Peterborough, Ontario.I purchased it along with its sister vessel and took them to the Ottawa River in Pembroke. A family boat but also a community boat. During the years it plied the Ottawa my ships log recorded thousands of names. Many of the people who came aboard were seeing the river for the first time and never realized the beauty of the natural surroundings in our beautiful valley.
Our family became a closer unit because of this boat. No one was denied a trip on this old friend and our children would invite as many as they wished to come along. All the family became good sailors and my son became a registered captain at age 16. Our trips lasted from a few hours to days. The passengers numbered from one to 50. We were registered for 55.
To mention the good times we had would be impossible and to assign the value to us as a family, priceless. I can safely say that many of our happiest moments as a family were on or because of this boat. We had many important people take a trip on this boat but the ones who meant the most were our family and friends. Looking through pictures of our trips is a microcosm of our lives in those days.
The boat saw better days and when it was time to let her go I donated her to the City to be used as a tourist booth. They changed the name and put vinyl siding over the mahogany and I don't care to see it. There is no plaque to show what it was and that probably is good as you could never describe what the Miss Pembroke was to me .
Doing Nothing
People mistakenly say in so many ways that we are wasting our lives, time and energy. We describe people as lazy, good for nothing or idle when they are not busy or productive. I happen to believe that time used in quiet reflection is very useful and productive. As a teacher I have observed children day dreaming and at the time I intervened in the process and woke the child from their pleasure.
At my age I often find myself reflecting on the past and reliving the special moments in my life. I have the most wonderful momentary flashes that cause me to have the pleasure once real and now in my mind all over again. Probably this re visit to our past will give our bodies the same stimuli that it did at the original happening. A dream where you remember a special time with your mother or family finds you waking up in a frame of mind akin to a real visit from same.
I know I am not alone in having times where you are not asleep nor totally awake and the feeling is one in which you have a conscious connection with your sub conscious. This exercise often gives you the opportunity to discover much of your creative side and you can benefit from your revelations.
Sunday mornings when it is dull weather and you have no pressing chores we should not feel guilty with using some time for reflection and contemplation. Call it day dreaming or whatever but if used properly it can help you solve life's difficulties. Case in point. You have to make some family decisions that could be messy,you work it out in your mind and you are able to outline many alternatives without the interaction of the people involved. This works and how many times did you go to bed with a problem on your mind and wake up refreshed with the problem not a problem at all as you have sifted it out during your sleep.
So connect with your sub conscious and enjoy your own company by doing nothing constructively.
At my age I often find myself reflecting on the past and reliving the special moments in my life. I have the most wonderful momentary flashes that cause me to have the pleasure once real and now in my mind all over again. Probably this re visit to our past will give our bodies the same stimuli that it did at the original happening. A dream where you remember a special time with your mother or family finds you waking up in a frame of mind akin to a real visit from same.
I know I am not alone in having times where you are not asleep nor totally awake and the feeling is one in which you have a conscious connection with your sub conscious. This exercise often gives you the opportunity to discover much of your creative side and you can benefit from your revelations.
Sunday mornings when it is dull weather and you have no pressing chores we should not feel guilty with using some time for reflection and contemplation. Call it day dreaming or whatever but if used properly it can help you solve life's difficulties. Case in point. You have to make some family decisions that could be messy,you work it out in your mind and you are able to outline many alternatives without the interaction of the people involved. This works and how many times did you go to bed with a problem on your mind and wake up refreshed with the problem not a problem at all as you have sifted it out during your sleep.
So connect with your sub conscious and enjoy your own company by doing nothing constructively.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
The Hunt
Morning came with the sound of boiling water and a “good morning” from my friend. He was dressed and ready to go. We ate more bannock and more tea. We stuffed some dried meat in a pack sack and got our gear in order. Field glasses were used but at this time of year days are short and they had limited results. We left our camp hoping no wolves or bears were in the area who wished a meal of our food. The only animals we saw were Arctic hare and foxes. A couple of muskoxen were pawing at the tundra trying to uncover some tender morsels of Arctic Willow for breakfast.
We left camp and approached a rise. Ikey motioned me to get close to the ground as he spotted something. Sure enough there were a dozen caribou walking slowly towards the shoreline. There was a clear pathway tramped down by the numerous hoof prints of passing caribou. Their nostrils belched steam as if they had been chased for a while. I key pointed out the culprit which was a lone Arctic Wolf looking for a meal. We also saw that he was using only three legs. An accident perhaps or a old wound but surely something that separated him from the pack.
I was experiencing the time of my life and the coldness that was pressing on me in my immobile position was a small nuisance. Ikey looked the situation over and decided to let these animals get to the ice and safety. Caribou that have been run have a bitter taste and this was not what we came for. Ikey did claim the wolf with a clean shot. On examination the wolf had been in a trap and would not have been able to survive the winter. The animal was skinned in minutes and he showed me how and why it was done that way. He also showed me the proper way to fold the hide to keep its value at the auction.
We travelled slowly in land to a flat area which appeared to be covered by thousands of caribou but actually I counted about a hundred. Eight herds of female caribou with a dominant male were moving in our direction. We dismounted our ATV and moved to a spot behind some large rocks and waited. I had 6 tags and of course Ikey did not need tags. We planned to wait until the animals were passing and to avoid shooting the dominant herd leader.
It was over in minutes and I had 4 and Ikey 7 prime animals. My next lesson was cleaning and skinning the animals. I had experience with deer and moose but caribou were so easy. We had a clean patch of snow on which to take care of the meat. We kept everything - hearts, liver and Ikey used more. We quartered the animals and wrapped them in the hides. This meat would be shared with the elders and other needy people in the hamlet.
We went back to get our sleds and when we returned the foxes were already having a feast of the leftovers. The spiritual bird of the Inuit, the raven was in numbers as well. Nothing was lost or wasted. This was the way of the Inuit for centuries and I was privileged to take part. I repeated this harvest every year I was in the Arctic.
When we began to gather the animals, Ikey stopped me until he took snow and put it in his mouth, and then in the mouth of the nearest caribou. He said thanks to the spirits for the food they had provided to his family; very spiritual and meaningful in the context of the moment. He repeated this with each of the animals. He invited me to do the same for my bounty and I did, but the spirituality was not there at that time. As other occasions befell me I became more in tune with nature and the opportunity to experience the circle of life up there in the High Arctic.
We stayed overnight and cooked the hearts and liver - at least some of them - and talked of the hunt, how good life was, and our thoughts of sharing the meat and the stories of the Caribou Hunt. I am ever grateful for the time and experiences I had up there and with my friend Ikey.
We left camp and approached a rise. Ikey motioned me to get close to the ground as he spotted something. Sure enough there were a dozen caribou walking slowly towards the shoreline. There was a clear pathway tramped down by the numerous hoof prints of passing caribou. Their nostrils belched steam as if they had been chased for a while. I key pointed out the culprit which was a lone Arctic Wolf looking for a meal. We also saw that he was using only three legs. An accident perhaps or a old wound but surely something that separated him from the pack.
I was experiencing the time of my life and the coldness that was pressing on me in my immobile position was a small nuisance. Ikey looked the situation over and decided to let these animals get to the ice and safety. Caribou that have been run have a bitter taste and this was not what we came for. Ikey did claim the wolf with a clean shot. On examination the wolf had been in a trap and would not have been able to survive the winter. The animal was skinned in minutes and he showed me how and why it was done that way. He also showed me the proper way to fold the hide to keep its value at the auction.
We travelled slowly in land to a flat area which appeared to be covered by thousands of caribou but actually I counted about a hundred. Eight herds of female caribou with a dominant male were moving in our direction. We dismounted our ATV and moved to a spot behind some large rocks and waited. I had 6 tags and of course Ikey did not need tags. We planned to wait until the animals were passing and to avoid shooting the dominant herd leader.
It was over in minutes and I had 4 and Ikey 7 prime animals. My next lesson was cleaning and skinning the animals. I had experience with deer and moose but caribou were so easy. We had a clean patch of snow on which to take care of the meat. We kept everything - hearts, liver and Ikey used more. We quartered the animals and wrapped them in the hides. This meat would be shared with the elders and other needy people in the hamlet.
We went back to get our sleds and when we returned the foxes were already having a feast of the leftovers. The spiritual bird of the Inuit, the raven was in numbers as well. Nothing was lost or wasted. This was the way of the Inuit for centuries and I was privileged to take part. I repeated this harvest every year I was in the Arctic.
When we began to gather the animals, Ikey stopped me until he took snow and put it in his mouth, and then in the mouth of the nearest caribou. He said thanks to the spirits for the food they had provided to his family; very spiritual and meaningful in the context of the moment. He repeated this with each of the animals. He invited me to do the same for my bounty and I did, but the spirituality was not there at that time. As other occasions befell me I became more in tune with nature and the opportunity to experience the circle of life up there in the High Arctic.
We stayed overnight and cooked the hearts and liver - at least some of them - and talked of the hunt, how good life was, and our thoughts of sharing the meat and the stories of the Caribou Hunt. I am ever grateful for the time and experiences I had up there and with my friend Ikey.
Friday, October 2, 2009
The Race To The Crossing
Friday seemed to have 48 hours as work dragged on and Ikey and I looked at the clock. Since I was the boss I had to show a good example about keeping proper hours. This was a real problem up there during hunting and fishing season. At 2.30 pm I motioned to Ikey to leave and I left one of the girls in charge of the phone. We raced home and changed and prepared to meet at the road to the airport. I never realized how cold it was with the 30 km wind.I gave Buck enough muskoxen bones for three days and left with Buck jumping against the chain as he wanted to come.
The wind picked up as I met Ikey at the arranged place and with few words he said we were going to the crossing. This was a favourite hunting place as it was the jumping off point for the caribou heading to the mainland across the North West Passage. It was 60+ miles away and we planned to travel on the new ice. Winds that swept through our area during the ice freezing time caused large pressure ridges to form. Few of these ridges could be crossed and detours were required to make progress.
Without another word Ikey sped off and I tried to follow. He quickly left me in snow dust and I had a fear that I would never be able to keep up. He had skills way beyond mine and pulling a kamatuk with with over a 1000lbs was difficult and dangerous. I was getting the hang of it when I saw Ikey stopped ahead. I pulled up and learned a lesson I never forgot. Never, never step off your snow machine until your sled is stopped. The momentum of the sled carried it past my snow machine when I stopped because it does not have brakes. Many people suffered broken from this lack of knowledge.
After Ikey gave me a stern warning he advised me that we were going inland as progress was too slow on the ice. Some bare stony land had to be traversed and he told me to keep going at all cost because if you stopped on bare ground the snow machine could not pull the sled. Stopping was to be made on a downward slope on snow. I followed again with the increased tension of another challenge. We made progress and the sparks literally flew when we crossed a stoney section about a half mile long.
After what seemed like forever we stopped at a rise in the land and prepared to set up camp. Actually it took nearly 5 hours to travel that distance which I covered in the summer by atv in 3 hrs.
Making camp in the Arctic was a skill developed over centuries by the Inuit. Ikey gave short orders and our White tent was up. Snow was packed on the windward side and a tarp was thrown over the tent. First rule was to work but not sweat. Sweating can cause severe chills when you stop and could have more serious repercussions. The primer stove was set up first and snow thawed for tea. Meanwhile the hides were placed on the floor and sleeping bags unfolded to warm up.Snow machines covered and sleds secured next to the tent for easy retrieval of supplies. It took 30 minutes to make camp.
Our guns were taken inside and cleaned again making sure the barrel was plugged with a wick to stop any buildup of ice or snow. Can goods are useless in the arctic as they freeze.Only can jam is used and our diet was mipku (dried meat and bannock and tea). We talked for a while and Ikey started up his short wave radio to talk to some other hunters to get info on the location of the caribou. He spoke in Inuinaktun, a dialect used by the local Inuit, and as he spoke I knew he had good news and I also he told his friend he had a white novice with him and he laughed with his friends about this matter.
Ikey actually gave me my Inuit name which was elenok meaning friend. We talked for a bit and all of a sudden I heard him snore. He was asleep. A big day ahead.
The wind picked up as I met Ikey at the arranged place and with few words he said we were going to the crossing. This was a favourite hunting place as it was the jumping off point for the caribou heading to the mainland across the North West Passage. It was 60+ miles away and we planned to travel on the new ice. Winds that swept through our area during the ice freezing time caused large pressure ridges to form. Few of these ridges could be crossed and detours were required to make progress.
Without another word Ikey sped off and I tried to follow. He quickly left me in snow dust and I had a fear that I would never be able to keep up. He had skills way beyond mine and pulling a kamatuk with with over a 1000lbs was difficult and dangerous. I was getting the hang of it when I saw Ikey stopped ahead. I pulled up and learned a lesson I never forgot. Never, never step off your snow machine until your sled is stopped. The momentum of the sled carried it past my snow machine when I stopped because it does not have brakes. Many people suffered broken from this lack of knowledge.
After Ikey gave me a stern warning he advised me that we were going inland as progress was too slow on the ice. Some bare stony land had to be traversed and he told me to keep going at all cost because if you stopped on bare ground the snow machine could not pull the sled. Stopping was to be made on a downward slope on snow. I followed again with the increased tension of another challenge. We made progress and the sparks literally flew when we crossed a stoney section about a half mile long.
After what seemed like forever we stopped at a rise in the land and prepared to set up camp. Actually it took nearly 5 hours to travel that distance which I covered in the summer by atv in 3 hrs.
Making camp in the Arctic was a skill developed over centuries by the Inuit. Ikey gave short orders and our White tent was up. Snow was packed on the windward side and a tarp was thrown over the tent. First rule was to work but not sweat. Sweating can cause severe chills when you stop and could have more serious repercussions. The primer stove was set up first and snow thawed for tea. Meanwhile the hides were placed on the floor and sleeping bags unfolded to warm up.Snow machines covered and sleds secured next to the tent for easy retrieval of supplies. It took 30 minutes to make camp.
Our guns were taken inside and cleaned again making sure the barrel was plugged with a wick to stop any buildup of ice or snow. Can goods are useless in the arctic as they freeze.Only can jam is used and our diet was mipku (dried meat and bannock and tea). We talked for a while and Ikey started up his short wave radio to talk to some other hunters to get info on the location of the caribou. He spoke in Inuinaktun, a dialect used by the local Inuit, and as he spoke I knew he had good news and I also he told his friend he had a white novice with him and he laughed with his friends about this matter.
Ikey actually gave me my Inuit name which was elenok meaning friend. We talked for a bit and all of a sudden I heard him snore. He was asleep. A big day ahead.
Caribou Hunting
I understand that many people do not like hunting in any form or for any reason. I was always interested in hunting and when I lived up there, I was introduced to a vital part of Inuit culture and economic necessity, the caribou harvest. My friend and work partner Ikey was a true Inuit and lived off the land to provide important sources of their diet.Ikey was special as he was known for his skills as a hunter and fisherman and as a conservationist. Word had it that he never shot at an animal and left it wounded and would track other animals that were wounded by others to stop needless suffering. He invited me to go with him on one of his last harvesting days as the caribou had moved through our area and only stragglers were left.
I prepared as you must for a Friday to Sunday night outing on the land. As the temperatures were in the -20 and -30 you had to have everything in order. My snow machine was checked and my travelling sled was packed in a special order. Tents and hides were placed on the front of the sled and my supplies and cooking gear was tied down in a large box at the back. My sled box was a rough box used for burying which was discarded and exactly fitted the sled. Two primer stoves, a lantern, cooking pots and of course ingredients for making bannock, a staple on the land. A can of jam and pilot biscuits were for dessert with tea. Everyone there drinks pots of tea.
I used two rifles, one a 3.06 with 125 grain shells did the trick for small game like caribou. The second was a 303 which was for protection in case a bear could not be scared off. A supply of ammo and the work clothes rounded out the supplies. I chose caribou pants and jacket sometimes but the Hudson Bay parka was also good. Wolf mitts and sealskin boots completed the attire.
Twenty gallons of gas for the snow machine and five gallons of white gas for the stove and lantern; three tarps to cover the sled and snow machine, and an extra for the tent if no good snow was found for a half igloo. I was ready. Excitement was not the word as I went to sleep on Thursday eve, the day before the beginning of the hunt.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Take The Credit - Take The Blame
Politics is an exciting business and when you are on the outside looking in it is amusing business as well. Having being involved directly and indirectly in politics at all three level over nearly half a century gives me a good perspective on the workings of our good but imperfect system. I have the greatest respect for people who put their names out there to be judged by the public and either elected or rejected.
We all have our preferences in ideology and it shows through when policy issues emerge. For some people it is hard to separate the issues from the personality and therefore having a objective discussion becomes nearly impossible. This being said it is reasonable to see how party politics take on a personality or character that entrenches it's members to a particular stand which makes it impossible for them to be completely objective on nearly every issue.
This gravitation of people to an issue comes to a head at voting time. There is a winner and a loser on nearly every issue. During the course of a term of office all members differ on some issues so at the end of their term they have pleased some of the people and annoyed others. It is reasonable to say this is the main reason leaders become worn out with the electorate.
Personally I found that you can be on the right side of an issue but if it is one that causes an emotional response you cannot be a winner. This is specially true if the vote is close.Most of my friends are political to some degree and we make up a patchwork of beliefs and ideals. We don't talk politics much as topics of a political nature divide us and emotional responses get hot and sometimes heavy. I love to see people get concerned enough to make a powerful statement and to defend it. I am a target as people mostly know of my liberal thinking and socialist bent. My Conservative friends have a different view and I respect it.I once worked for and voted for a Conservative and felt good about it. It was the man and the issue that brought me there.
Nearly every young person starts out being a socialist as it so simple to see the fairness of that ideal. Later we become more concerned about our own welfare and think more conservative. This makes sense as well as charity begins at home and why should I work for those welfare bums etc.The poor will always be with us it is true, what about the children who are going to be the citizen standing with you in the future. Without sharing the wealth to include the poor, the handicapped, the sick,the aboriginal and the new comers our country will be creating problems for the future.
Within each of us there is a voice that tell us how far we can go in our political views. I call it a comfort zone. At this time in the USA there is a raging issue of health care and if you examine the views expressed by the leaders it is impossible to expect a consensus on this issue. The health issue is now a battle of ideologies and the lines are drawn. The statements made are as far apart as I have ever seen and are as nonobjective as to be almost comic were it not for the importance of the issue.
The right wing conservatives led by their talk show hosts are fanning the fires and the more liberal Obama people are faltering because of the miss-information. It is a dangerous situation and it should be settled quickly before more damage is done.
We in Canada have a similar situation with Right Conservatives and liberal-socialist ideologies facing each other. The verbiage is different and the manner in which the battle is taking place is more respectful and there will be a decision according to democratic practise. Our country will be the better because of the clearing of the air.
Our politicians are ready to take the credit when something goes well and only too ready to blame when things go wrong. I wish they would share the credit and share the responsibility for the problems.
We all have our preferences in ideology and it shows through when policy issues emerge. For some people it is hard to separate the issues from the personality and therefore having a objective discussion becomes nearly impossible. This being said it is reasonable to see how party politics take on a personality or character that entrenches it's members to a particular stand which makes it impossible for them to be completely objective on nearly every issue.
This gravitation of people to an issue comes to a head at voting time. There is a winner and a loser on nearly every issue. During the course of a term of office all members differ on some issues so at the end of their term they have pleased some of the people and annoyed others. It is reasonable to say this is the main reason leaders become worn out with the electorate.
Personally I found that you can be on the right side of an issue but if it is one that causes an emotional response you cannot be a winner. This is specially true if the vote is close.Most of my friends are political to some degree and we make up a patchwork of beliefs and ideals. We don't talk politics much as topics of a political nature divide us and emotional responses get hot and sometimes heavy. I love to see people get concerned enough to make a powerful statement and to defend it. I am a target as people mostly know of my liberal thinking and socialist bent. My Conservative friends have a different view and I respect it.I once worked for and voted for a Conservative and felt good about it. It was the man and the issue that brought me there.
Nearly every young person starts out being a socialist as it so simple to see the fairness of that ideal. Later we become more concerned about our own welfare and think more conservative. This makes sense as well as charity begins at home and why should I work for those welfare bums etc.The poor will always be with us it is true, what about the children who are going to be the citizen standing with you in the future. Without sharing the wealth to include the poor, the handicapped, the sick,the aboriginal and the new comers our country will be creating problems for the future.
Within each of us there is a voice that tell us how far we can go in our political views. I call it a comfort zone. At this time in the USA there is a raging issue of health care and if you examine the views expressed by the leaders it is impossible to expect a consensus on this issue. The health issue is now a battle of ideologies and the lines are drawn. The statements made are as far apart as I have ever seen and are as nonobjective as to be almost comic were it not for the importance of the issue.
The right wing conservatives led by their talk show hosts are fanning the fires and the more liberal Obama people are faltering because of the miss-information. It is a dangerous situation and it should be settled quickly before more damage is done.
We in Canada have a similar situation with Right Conservatives and liberal-socialist ideologies facing each other. The verbiage is different and the manner in which the battle is taking place is more respectful and there will be a decision according to democratic practise. Our country will be the better because of the clearing of the air.
Our politicians are ready to take the credit when something goes well and only too ready to blame when things go wrong. I wish they would share the credit and share the responsibility for the problems.
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