... and thought it might be a comfort to you.
It was sent to me, and it's very well written.
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' WINTER '
a poem by Abigail Elizabeth McIntyre

F**k!
It's cold!

This is at 10 AM today when I had to go over to the school and health center..

Observed at:
Repulse Bay Airport

5:00 PM CST Wednesday 30 January 2008
. Condition:Blowing Snow
. Temperature:-31.3°C
. Humidity:74 %
. NNW 41 gust 58 km/h
. Wind Chill:-49
ForecastTonight-32°C

Entry to Home care suite where I am staying in Repusle Bay with bags in doorway from COOP as anticipating blizzard

Blizzard warning in effect.
.
. Thursday, January 31, 2008
. Day: Blizzard. Snowfall amount 10 cm. Wind northwest 50 km/h gusting to 70 becoming north 70 gusting to 90 in the morning. High minus 24. Wind chill minus 52 in the morning and minus 43 in the afternoon.
. Night: Blizzard. Snowfall amount 5 to 10 cm. Wind north 70 km/h gusting to 90. Temperature steady near minus 24. Wind chill minus 43.
. Issued: 3.00 PM CST Wednesday 30 January 2008

Spent much of the morning packing, cleaning and sorting again ( it seems like a repeat process from Friday ) and left behind the skis and larger square rubber container in Rankin as I am only supposed to be a few days in Repulse...its funny but this is a much smaller hamlet than either Rankin or Arviat and there has not been a regular social worker in 1-2 years, but somehow I think I am going to regret not being able to stay longer....perhaps thinking about some of the other remoter small communities like Arctic Bay that I enjoyed my work and relationships developed.

The blizzard has finally abated leaving many sculpted shapes. As I had expected to leave Friday and all the gear was packed, I didn’t unpack my skis again but would have had fun with some of the hills near the snow fence. Very hard packed went along with Cindy Matt and dogs. Matt on his skis on this crest joking said this is downhill skiing in Rankin Inlet. The dogs have fun no matter what chasing their Kong on a rope, pouncing on each other or just running. Still cold enough to be very wrapped up in several layers…the yeti look!   Coming back from our Saturday afternoon walk you can note how much snow was moved in this blizzard from the height of the plowed sides to the road. Here are both perspectives and one of the graders that helped with the clearing. They were working consistently through the blizzard week. Stopped for tea and conversation later and noted a few new additions……the new red dog sled along side the old one stored beneath the steps. I really do like this shot and how it is framed. A row here of drying dog paw mitts!

Among other things on Sunday I finally made it to church, the English service and now have a hymnbook in both languages! Afterwards a number of us went for breakfast at the local hotel…the Sinatarvik….if I remember correctly “arvik” means the “place where”. Inuktitut has many different dialects and when visiting with some of the teachers was shown a science textbook with many different animals and plants and different names from Rankin Inlet, Baker lake and Clyde River. Many seemed completely different names and pronunciations

      These shots are of the large rock inukshuk in the center of Rankin Inlet one probably one of the highest vantage points.

This is the Arctic College the building in the red. Taken Sunday afternoon about 1 PM  the rock structure was covered with frost and blown snow and some red grafitti marks.

I tried several attempts at a self portrait and this was the best but the cheeks were nippy.           

One thing that more northerners know is that one has to be flexible and patient with planning any travel. One of my favorite sayings is Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday and all is well. This past week for me has certainly been a testimony to that....first of all the blizzard that seemed to go on last week and never be over came back with a re=bound. Working on monday Tuesday government offices were closed again. Wednesday such a change with exquisite clear skies and here are some shots from a noon hour walk.,,,the health center and hospital, the Sakku Building where the Social Services office are located and delicate flowers  and interesting patterns in the snow and gravel that emerge after the storm.

Worked late at the office on Thursday night after a day of fluffy snow and rising temps to about minus 16...perfectly balmy....then the rebound storm hit howling winds and i could feel the office sway...thank goodness I could get a ride home about midnight by the local RCMP member who was working the afternoon shift.So paper work done and packed up everything in the suite and cleaned this morning in anticipation of getting the 1 PM flight to Repulse Bay where I am needed for a few days of work and told at noon no room .... so try again on Monday!
    

Some of the northern bloggers have had situations in which they were monitored by employers or  others, and have posted disclaimers tating that the blog merely represented their own personal views, but the one I love the best is Kate's from Post Town Ghosts

Did you know that there are over 60 bloggers in Nunavut listed in the link I have at the top of my site? I feel privileged to be on that list although I really only spend part of my year here. But Clare has just created a new set of awards, so i encourage you to check them out. he writes...

"In celebration of Blogging in Nunavut I'm introducing the Nunies in conjunction with The House and other Arctic musings.  The Nunies are a simple recognition of the best that blogging in Nunavut has to offer.  Here is how it works...

From now until January 21st, 2008 there will be the opportunity to nominate blogs in two categories:
1) Best Nunavut Blog
2) Best New Nunavut Blog (the blog must have started in 2007)

and a third category for...
3) Best post of 2007.."

It is Tuesday and Day 6 of the blizzard.This is the view of what we found out the front door in the blizzard  as we are back in the suite just one day of return to work yesterday.The van plugged is in but frozen up.

So what gear helps achieve that Ninja look needed before venturing out.

Isn't this a fashion statement...feeling like the abominable snowman with all the gear needed for walking in the blizzard no wonder the dogs bark.

I didn't go out today but this is one of the the activities that has kept me sane...completed sewing project  of mitts and copied design of partridge from an Inuit wall hanging I bought on my last trip.
     

Although it remain still very cold and blowy we are back in the office....The van froze up so fine walking as long as the wind is behind one.

Outside the suite in Day 2 of blizzard in Rankin again the office closed! But at one point ventured outside. This is inside the Social Services van when starting it up. Somehow as well back window vents open so inside of back seats covered in snow. I walked half a block and went visiting.The wind was behind me and about minus 28 but at  60 km/hr it felt like minus 48oC.Meeka and Nanook  were playing in the blizzard with frozen poo! Cindy  was ouside with her dogs... these are her photos of my approach.Walking towards the dogs...I encouraged them to play.Meeka and Nanook would romp between myself and their owner. Snowy satelite dish outside Cindy and Matt's apartment..the source for their internet. Tea and relaxing dogs after the outside romp in the blizzard.