Now somewhat resigned to the fact that I will be here and not north for December decided to take advantage of some milder weather, and did a few seasonal tasks. Included was the demise of the willow chair from back which was beginning to fall apart, now becoming fodder for the firepit, and attaching Christmas lights to front deck... glad they were reasonably sorted from last year. Wiring up the lights for reindeer was tedious wrapping in and out but with a lovely result.. .Reindeer lit up and onguard

What is it about seating patterns, whether our university Psych. classes, movie theaters, family gatherings, political rallys, seminars at the business conference, restaurants, local pub and yes, church or synagogue, we all tend to be creatures of habit and choose the same spot each time! Heaven help us if we mistakenly happen to choose someone else's spot! Why....it is familiar, comforting, we can see or hear the speaker, be an observer of the action around us, actively participate in discussion or be anonymous...whatever the reason, somehow in our mind this spot becomes "ours".

When a certain spot becomes vacant, we take notice and miss the person who occupied that place.

This is the lead in to some of my blogging in the next while,  for from time to time, I share some of the emails between myself a good and recently departed friend Syd. He sat next to me in Pew 7, center and left next to the pillar. An older and quiet man, he had a hearing difficulty, and would often miss some of the conversations, announcements or full sermon but was keenly observant of activities around him.

On church and community....From me, "Hey Syd...thanks for your note and comments. The comments about church and communion are well taken. Do chat with M. if you arrive early as she does ask about you if away and I think is concerned about your health. That email anouncement ( from the wife of a  Canadian soldier  returning from Afganistan and stopover in Cyprus ) re: the church in Cyprus, a large old stone Byzantine church, the significance of readings Paul's trip to Cyprus and then he ends with it how the sanctuary was invaded by a horde of Anglican church ladies.
"
His return email "I shall take your advice and will make an extra effort to chat with M.as she is a nice lady and I appreciate her concern.

Nope, I only heard sounds but not the words when C. read the e-mail - it was nice of her to share it with the congregation.  Yet another example of community, the extended family that shows up each Sunday and comes away refreshed perhaps not always from the sermon but the communion in a real sense, communion in the sense of being part of a larger group.  Due to my bus I often arrive at church early and it is cold and empty but when the church fills up you can hear the people and you can feel their warmth, and this is comforting and what I think communion is about."

On church in the summer (when I am working in Nunavut )

July, 2006 "I enjoy the summer church services, not many people at yesterday's service as the choir is off for the summer and I guess many people on vacation.  No children yesterday so E ( our rector ) took the C's grand-daughter for a walking tour of the stained glass windows - it was actually a rather moving experience.  I'm actually surprised that E is here, normally she takes the entire month of July as vacation but perhaps she has had a conflict with S ( our associate minister ).  Hopefully, she will find some time as she does work hard all year and deserves a good long break. 

The rules have changed for after church coffee the latest bulletin reads "Moved that the regular Sunday hospitality directions be amended to specify that ONLY coffee, tea, juice, and cookies pre-purchased by the church be offered."  I guess there is a story here, especially since this notice appears the week after the coffee coordinator retired but I am not inclined to inquire as it is none of my affair."
July 4, 2006In small children one see's the miracle of life.  At church the Connell's grand daughter was just in front of me, she is just starting to walk and at that stage of exploring.  I confess that I did not follow the sermon as closely as I should because I was entranced at how this young person was being to learn and explore her world.  I guess this is similar to the 4 young kids you watched solving the problem of the puddle and the toy.  Here are these young individuals faced with a problem, they know that wet water is not good and so they devise different solutions to their problems, cooperatively and without the aide of adults.  I agree with your view that city kids often miss out on so many experiences and the opportunity to cooperate and socialize at a young age.  I guess the city kids get to socialize and learn cooperation at school but they don't have the same interaction with their peers or their environment and as their rural cousins.
On small children in church

In response to my email from Pond Inlet in which I described the cooperative efforts of four Inuit boys to fetch a wooden boat that floated to the middle of a shallow pond near their home."

July, 2006    "In small children, one see's the miracle of life.  At church the C's grand daughter was just in front of me, she is just starting to walk and at that stage of exploring.  I confess that I did not follow the sermon as closely as I should, because I was entranced at how this young person was being to learn and explore her world.  I guess this is similar to the 4 young kids you watched solving the problem of the puddle and the  wooden toy.  Here are these young individuals faced with a problem, they know that wet water is not good and so they devise different solutions to their problems, cooperatively and without the aide of adults.  I agree with your view that city kids often miss out on so many experiences and the opportunity to cooperate and socialize at a young age.  I guess the city kids get to socialize and learn cooperation at school but they don't have the same interaction with their peers or their environment and as their rural cousins."

As you celebrate and gather with family and friends just want to share a few words to consider....These are not my own but from a friend, Syd who passed away last week....

"Gosh, a home cooking turkey dinner accompanied by good conversation and surrounded by friends"

"I think the decision to preserve and can was a good one though a lot a work cooking is always pleasant work.  The problem I've always had with cooking is timing, that is getting everything started at appropriate times so they are all finished at the same time.  I find my problem is that I never leave enough time for the cutting and cleaning.  So, unlike you I would never ever attempt to cook before a trip because my flight and my food would be ready at precisely the same moment.  It sounds like you are far more organized and experienced at cooking than I am and what is more you now have something to look forward to when you return.  I would imagine that the sauces and pickles will be a wonderful accompaniment to more than one memorable meal. You may wish to consider taking some of your preserves to the Thanksgiving supper not only would they be welcome but I think a fitting ingredient for a "harvest" meal."

"I imagine you are getting excited about all the family events this weekend.  Don't forget to just enjoy the people you are with and relax. " "The nice thing about family gatherings is that just attending, it doesn't matter if one enjoys the affair or not, just attending puts you in touch with who and what you are. "

"always a joyous occasion but I've found that I have to step back from all the festivities and remind myself that family gatherings are the center of our social existence, even with the tensions that sometimes go along with these events they are what community is all about.  Wow, the wonderful food, all the family stories and friends you haven't seen for a while and perhaps people you will never see again, sounds like an important chapter in your journal "
 

When you visit do you have stars in your eyes or the magic of a frozen river.....OKAY gentle readers I have just figured out something from my footprints, that most of you are using my OLD  URL which gets the blue starry background http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=bonnieupnorth

Please replace this one in your referrals or bookmarks...
My newer look is the stark B&W theme appropriate for the season http://www.xanga.com/bonnieupnorth  

Narwhals.....they are magnificent animals. I have observed over 300 of them in migration in 2007 in Nanasivik and summer hunt in Pond Inlet in 2006. Now they are trapped 17 miles north of Pond Inlet in Eclipse Sound and probably 30 kms from the floe edge. How tragic!

I have been reading the comments to the on line CBC article http://www.cbc.ca/canada/north/story/2008/11/24/pond-narhwal.html and cannot believe the ignorance of some people from the south, who have little idea of reality of life in the north or do not understand how all is used and shared by the Inuit hunters. Get an icebreaker... oh yeah... that local one that they have sitting up at the deep water port at Nanasivik! But also some thoughtful ones as "the High Arctic population is estimated at 20,000 to 25,000 whales, so 200 animals would represent ca. 0.8 to 1% of the total population, hardly a biologically significant proportion. And there is always limited open water in that area, global warming or not. Ice entrapments happen more often than we know, because they are often not seen. Ice breakers hurt narwhal more than they help...."

Just my rant...For further comments from other northern bloggers ( and a video ) check out Clare at http://www.kiggavik.typepad.com or Darcy at http://waywayup.blogspot.com/

That bubble that we create in times away is very quickly burst when life, reality and regular routines hit once again.

 Last day in Fairmont...foggy and ice just beginning to form and one last bike ride before packing up.

This is what I came back to...a missing rain barrel   and blown over on its side in the yard ...obviously must have been gusty winds in the last week!

BUT picked up from the kennel dogs all bathed and glad to be back in familiar places.

“ It’s just another small town Saturday night “ wails the Connie Kaldor song from my car CD player “when the girls know they’re pretty…and the boys know they’re right… the sunset is going down, the groceries are brought, the choir’s had its practise, and trucks start rolling into town, they’re parking by the pub in the fading light. Just another small town Saturday night.”  “You gotta drink till you feel all right, You gotta drink till you get a little tight… it’s just another small town Saturday night “

What is the joke about the intimacy of small town knowledge…sneeze in your soundproof attic and a granny will ask if you have pneumonia!

Small town hospitality, live music, good conversation, rants and story telling were on the menu this past weekend. The venues ranged from a Scottish family pub to warming hands around an outdoor fire as the main street was blocked off and the downtown Christmas lights were turned on.  The whole valley in summer tourist season can peak at about 40,000, but was told that on the voters list for Invermere about 2700 people.

Friday night at Angus McToogles restaurant http://www.angusmctoogles.com enjoyed a lovely meal. This included an appetizer Mozza Sticks, crispy, breaded Mozzarella served with Marinara dipping sauce; a half order of tangy tender pork side ribs grilled with chef’s own Angus BBQ and cheesecake with Mango & Blueberry sauce. Seating about 60, there was a very informal and family type of atmosphere.

These young girls requested Puff the Magic Dragon and also swooned to the Unicorn song.

A harp, wooden flute, and many acoustic and electric guitars added to the liveliness of the evening.

Between 5-8 PM on Saturday, the town giant spruce was lit up with white Xmas lights: hot chocolate was served, craft tables and ski promotions lined main street,: Santa received requests; all the small shops were open including harp playing in the shoe store, uniquely decorated displays as this skeleton of an ancient Russian cave bear and ancient mollusks.

Fairies danced on tall stilts,  and hands warmed around the fire pits with children, dogs and older ladies.

So small town Saturday night continued at the family pub and probably abit beyond some of my comfort zone But three or so pints of Keith’s pale ales later, two being my usual limit and missing two of the music sets I had come to see, ended up sharing a table with two local guys. Both  were friends,  single dads, probably mid 40s to early 50s. Started talking kids and the story telling that comes of fiercely protective, but proud fathers, …then to relationships, and finally “how it is now” with business and “ state of the valley.” Even heard about the tragedy of a large spruce or cedar in the center of town that had been deliberately cut down in the middle of the night many years ago. My usual talent of getting others to talk, backfired abit in this conversation…”so tell us about you, social worker working up north” and..”So you got rid of your old man how many years ago….” and it was the beers talking…  The last conversation was the suggestion that the three of us should get together; revise or start up, a local, but now defunct 9 years ago, family restaurant on the highway and where one of the guys had been a cook, but recently kidnapped the sign in the back of his truck.

At this point I extricated my self and enjoyed the final music set, a great combination of Celtic and country by Mike and Marty.

“ It’s just another small town Saturday night “

Thursday was a day of both group and individual hikes. This is the view from the top of the Hoodoos hike about an hour and a half in length, first meeting in the parking lot  and going as a group  Center field across valley was where we were on Tuesday  Hiking group finally at top of hoodoos, our guide Bruce, one in shorts and with hiking poles Could be a bonsai in a Japanese garden…love the shadows and silhouette. Stark conditions and yet  trees still surviving  Hoodoos carved by wind and rain Finally at the top Shows perspective of the drop Very sandy path and arid setting Looking down the valley.... One last look before the hike back Frost covered grass

 Looking down the Columbia valley Note the logging truck.

Taking off on my own drove down main highway near Canal Flats and then about 20 kms up and down a twisty mountain road, It is also used for logging trucks which have priority aka side spots to pull over  When I reached the provincial park camp ground, did a 2 hr hike on my own with a packed lunch. These shots are taken about 3 PM. Sun reflected off crystalline lake Moss covered logs...almost expect hobbits to emerge or an opening to Narnia

Trail signs obviously put up a number of years ago Red and green holly leaves a contrast to the other browns Love the blue of the lake which is just starting to freeze over

By this time, ready for some relaxation and drove back down the road several kms to Lussier Hot springs, a series of natural hot pools, and the temperature goes from hot to cool as moves towards river Walk down to hot pool can be quite slippery at times so having a ski pole is helpful Water rushing between pools getting cooler as heads towards river  Cooling off in the upper pool,  a welcome after a day of hiking.

Following day slower pace and out on bike after trying a yoga class. Stop for a coffee and cinnamon bun during afternoon ride.

Much new development in this area...a golf course and new condos (aka the crane) where once was a pasture of ponies and llamas

Early morning frost greeted me outside of my villa, and this morning began at a slower pace than yesterday with a yoga class. Stretches felt good but not as flexible as I would like to be..

 Hoping maybe to do some x-c skiing in the afternoon, discovered much too early in the season, even with a drive to higher altitudes, alas so hiking boots and one pole were it. Trail on golf course, love the tall spruce, have skied this in other years.

 
Temperature probably about freezing, stopped for a snack about 3 PM, one can see runs on downhill ski hill in background, but will not open for a few weeks.