how to mend a broken heart?

A foster puppy of course!
This pup was being cared for in the Iqaluit Humane Society and we have committed to fostering her for a short while. She was 4.5 wks when we picked her up and by 8 weeks she should be ready to move to her forever home. They had named her Slippers for her white toes. We like the name Kamik better as the markings continue up her front legs and reflects her proud heritage.
She has a great temperament and seems in excellent health. Kamik spends her puppy days in puppy ways, trouncing around after our feet, yeowling for food and crashing exhausted at the end of it all.

northern spring

At work this week a co worker was griping about the snow that has continued for nearly a week. Off and on, a little snow shower occurs daily. I reminded her this is spring! This is the arctic!
This got me thinking....you know it's spring in the arctic when (and please feel free to add to the list).
1. the snow buntings and geese return
2. when the dog is off the roof (snow drift steps melt away)
3. there is more daylight than darkness
4. the temperature sans windchill is warmer than -20.
5. the tidal waters seep up on the frozen bay.
6. the pavement appears
7. the potholes appear
8. grading the road doesn't fix the potholes
9. the plow is now used to grade the roads
10. kamiik become impractical in the mud
11. sunglasses a must even on a cloudy day (owie that's bright!)
12 ice crystal replaced with tiny snowflakes
13 the ravens take up their spring dance in the skies.

More ideas of spring things. ... click comments to see what spring means to other northerners!

thank you and good bye

My old fella no longer greets my return. This blog is to remember what a fine animal he was and the wonderful companionship we shared.

buntings and spring challenges

Uhoh, have been remiss again. Also not much to write about. Mike, Daniel and I went skidoing one evening after work.
The light was flat which made it difficult to see the trail and cracks in the ice. Spring break up kind of freaks me out, skidoing over large cracks and tidal pools during high tide. But this time (compared to earlier last year) it seemed the cracks weren't as large and we didn't have to cross tidal pools.
Later on the same outing, the girlie in me rose up and squealed, grimaced, and all reasoning was abandoned.
What you ask?
Having toured the bay we arrived back on land at Apex ventured up'n over the hills. The alarming girlie bit was when Mike and Daniel disappeared over a hill.
I'm not that into amusement parks, I don't go on roller coasters...just too scary! No choices here, now. I can't deke outta the line! If anyone had been watching me they would have been in stitches. Abject terror overcame reason but down I went, straight down! Before I knew it we had arrived safely to the top of the other side.

In other exciting news; the snow bunting has returned! This is a sure sign of spring, their cheerful chipping and chirping and flitting through the air add a welcome element to the skies.

Here is my so-brand-new-it's- being-modelled-on-the-steps-of-the-woman-who-made-it-for-me parka! Wonderfully warm and beautifully rendered and most importantly, it is very feminine. Ahh! you can be a woman and be warm in the arctic!

what to do, what to do....

It occurs to me on each long weekend, after the initial excitement of a long weekend, that there are no road trips. No trippin down the highway to visit with friends, family or for an outing to take advantage of the fine weather. Nope, a road trip Iqaluit style may involve a 3 hour plane ride.
There are of course lots of things to do on a long weekend anywhere. Here you can ski do on the bay or the land, visit friends and family still or just hang loose and get the spring cleaning done.

This Easter weekend the Francophone centre hosted a sugar shack which included a yummy breakfast and maple syrup toffee made on the snow. I met up with Katie and Brandon for the buffet feast. There was a lot of food; Fruit, ham, bacon, crepes, french toast, scrambled eggs, baked beans, bread, croissants, sausage, coffee, juice and carrot cake! hmhmhmhmmmm!

Naturally Polar man was there to enjoy the feast. He propped up a mini polar man next to an ice inukshuk for a photo op!

Overnight guest

Have you ever been too frightened to move? Well this lil feller camped under our front window overnight and all the next day. He seemed friendly and healthy and even had a tagged collar. We even fed him breakfast.
Seems he found himself in a place he didn't like and sought refuge on the snowbank under my window. Question is if he was so scared how did he get up here?

What was so frightening that he didn't move for two days?
The open grating on the walkway of course.
Once lifted onto the walkway he trembled, with toes splayed like Charlie Brown taking a hit from Lucy.
Once he was back on terra firma he posted his tail high and scampered off!