Happy Friday

"Life here is so elemental. So real. Without the interference of civilization you can really experience things like,...silence. Silence and darkness in its purity. Right now, right outside my window all I can see is a black void. Endless darkness. It's totally exhilarating, and I feel very lucky to be here. Very, very lucky." ~Dr. Fleishman, Northern Exposure

Kids in, out, and under my house...the other day as I neared my house after school I started hearing my name being hollered but couldn't for the life of me find it's caller. Then, movement under my house, 2 of the kiddos had tucked themselves under (remember our houses are on stilts so we don't sink into the tundra) and were awaiting my arrival from school having beat me home. LOL. "Can we visit?" they sang out in unison. How can I saw no? The kids who visit love to dress up in the costumes from Halloween, my scarfs, my chunky shoes and oddly enough my fleece robe has become the symbol of royalty, as the wearer runs down the hall proclaiming "I'm the queen!" Robe flying in the breeze. They write letters to Mike, who they all miss dearly and matter of factly informed me a few weeks ago, is more fun than me. No offense. We have hot chocolate to warm our cheeks, draw pictures, wash dishes (if I'm lucky;), and make Mum's famous canoe on the floor. We have fun.


Exciting events at school this week? Tyrone learned to tie his shoes! This was a pretty big deal and he reported that he would be teaching his sisters later that evening. I've been called a lot of things in my life, but never "Louie" before this week. Thursday afternoon on his daily drop by Wendell trotted in my room, smiled and greeted me with a cheery,"Hi Louie!" Somewhat surprised I replied, "Hi Cindy." Realizing his slight mix up he chuckled, "I don't know why I called you that?" shaking his head, he headed for the door.



Eager young skiing enthusiasts busted out the skis and poles today after school before the cold north wind blew in. Jim was able to get the school several pairs of skis, boots and poles last year. We even have school skijoring equipment so that's the direction we will eventually head this winter! Once we get real comfortable on our skis and round up enough pulling dogs we will be off mushing across the tundra-the Quinhagak Skijoring Team:) Note the 'boot-pack' we designed so the girls could ski their winter boots to the ending point (my abode) without having to come back to the school to pick them up again. It worked pretty slick.




On my dark walk to work this morning the stars are out, the air is cold and if I look straight up (I have to move my parka fake fur hood out of the way first) the big dipper empties itself on Quinhagak. Behind me Orion stands guard, frosty snow crunches with each step and God's Thumbnail moon is anchored just above the silhouetted mountains, I stop and consider taking a picture for you but my camera takes crappy night pictures, I know it won't do this scene justice. So I stop for all of us just before the store and take the whole stunning view in for a few minutes, a couple for you and a couple fore me. Beyond the range, if I strain my eyes I can imagine the first few amber hues of sun trying to creep over. I greet the two others that are out so early as we pass. These quiet walks to work before the world wakes up are comfortable and real. I look forward to them, walking through the changing of Quinhagak's tundra seasons. This morning was like none other. Peaceful, dark, silence...crunch crunch crunch...

Tonight I'm sitting on my couch after our semi-weekly teacher gathering at Marsha's house to do arts and crafts stuff, knitting, beading you name it. Knitting was on my docket this evening while enjoying my last can of Red Bull (they are hard to come by out here). Steph and I hiked back through the escalating winds and piled snowdrifts across the road which were not there when we arrived 2 hours before. So now I'm camped out on the couch, thinking of you all and blogging along as I watch an episode of House my favorite series since Northern Exposure. I DVR it and watch it as often as I can. Last Christmas while visiting my brothers in Arizona, to my delight there was a House marathon on the USA channel. My dear brothers cut me off after the 6th straight episode thinking they were saving my TV starved brain. Ha ha no brothers here... joking I only watch 3 episodes at a time anymore;) Ani is snuggled at my feet occasionally trying to push them off (he's a couch hog), the Christmas lights that the kids helped me put up today are twinkling a rainbow of colors above us and the outside wind continues to howl it's lullably.

Shout out to: My Lac Courte Oreilles Family back home! Quyanaqvaa (Chi Miigwech) you guys, Lora, John, Kayleigh, Ann, Donna, Grampa Mike, all of you! You are such amazing blessings to me. I miss you to the tundra and back!

The Lord's Prayer in Yup'ik
Atanrem Piicautii

Atavut qilagmetellria
Atren Kenciknarili
Angayuqauviin tekilli
Pisqucin nunam qaingani piuli qilagmetun
Neqerkamtenek ernerpak cikirkut
Assilngumtenek-llu augariskut
Wangkutnun assiilngilriit augaritelaucimcetun
Picetaarutmun-llu pivkaqsaunata taugaam assiitellriamek aviuskut
Angayugauvik, piniq-llu, ucurnarquciq-llu elpet pikngavki
Nangyuilngurmek
Amen

"When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don't ask questions: Wait for hope to appear. Don't run from trouble. Take it full-face." Lamentations 3:28