North of sixty

Ignore my whining about winter in my recent posts. Today I am going to rave about it. Seriously. It is cold, very cold, and there is fresh snow on the ground. But I am revelling in it! Look at me over there on the left, smiling in the snow. No, I have not gone mad.

I am in the arctic. In Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. Where winter is not just endured, it is celebrated!



So to enjoy the winterness of this brilliant day in Yellowknife, I went where the locals go: on the lake. Yes ON it. Great Slave Lake. Where I watched kite snowboarding.



There were folks walking dogs, skiing, playing on snowmobiles, and flying regular kites on the lake. And visiting the art gallery. That's right, the art gallery in an ice castle. ON the lake.







The windows are made of ice.



I had a lively discussion with the creator, caretaker, and curator of this ice castle art gallery, the "Snow King", A.K.A. Anthony Foliot. He told me his ice architectural skills began when he was growing up in Northern Quebec, and neighbourhoods would compete with each other to make the best snow structures.When the ice is thin on Great Slave Lake in November, he saws out bocks to make the windows in the castle.





So, I had great time today time in the snowy cold. In March. Who'd have guessed it!Oh, and please, while I love all your comments, I ask you to refrain from making fashion fun of my over-sized parka with the real fur hood (ick). It's government issue. I'm working you see. Except for a few fun hours today.

For the birds

We went up to our cabin on Pitt Lake this past weekend. The weather forecast called for rain, but that's not so bad. We have complete rain canvas for the boat (which is the only way to get there), and a weekend spent curled up in front of the fire with a book, without T.V., telephones, or crackberrys is bliss. (An aside here: although our cell phones do not work up there, we do have a portable marine VHF radio, so we can call for help if one of us cuts off a foot with the chain saw. So don't worry Mom.)

The main reason I was anxious to get to the cabin was to put up the hummingbird feeders. I adore hummingbirds. Thirty years ago a First Nations Elder in a community near where I was working on an archaeology dig gave me the name "Hummingbird" in Salish. I have considered this beautiful, fearless, little creature my totem ever since. We get dozens of Rufous hummingbirds at the lake, flashing in the sunlight, dancing and diving around the hummingbird feeders. In summer, with the windows open, often the first sound I hear at dawn is the soft drum-roll of their tiny wings.




We also get the occasional Anna's hummingbird. This is the northernmost edge of Anna's range. A few will even winter over in southern Vancouver Island and some parts of Vancouver. At Pitt Lake, they are still only seasonal visitors. Their iridescent scarlet heads are breathtaking.




Hummingbirds usually return here about the first week of March. Some years they can be spotted at the end of February. I knew their migration north has been a little slow this year, but it was important to me to get those feeders up and ready. The little jewels arrive exhausted after their long flight from Mexico. (Hell, even I'M tired after a flight from Mexico, and that's just from ordering cerveza on board the plane. I don't have to flap my wings.)

So the feeders are up, but there are no hummingbirds yet. In fact they may be very late this year. If they have any sense.

If any of you in more southern climes see my hummingbirds flying north, tell them from me: "Little ones, you should hang around in California a while. As much as I would love to see you, you don't want to be here yet."

Here are some photos I took Sunday as we were leaving the lake.

Pigs flew

Friday I was walking down Howe Street, heading back to my office with my take out lunch from Salad Loop. It was a crisp but bright day, and I was walking slowly, to enjoy the sun on my face. Suddenly a vintage Camaro with two young men in it swerved over to the curb beside me. I could see the passenger studying a map. The driver rolled down his window (He was closest to me, Howe is a one way street) and asked: "Hello, can you help us? Can you tell us how to get to the Lions Gate Bridge?"

"Sure", I said, "go down two blocks to Georgia Street, turn left, and Georgia Street will lead you right over the bridge."

"Great, thanks very much, and you have a good day."

"Guys, I should thank you, for making my day. Two men stopping to ask for directions!!!! I'm calling the Guinness book of Records!"

Betrayed

Just over a week ago I wrote about spring in the air, crocuses and primulas blooming, and the promise that the winter blahs (full blown SAD in my case) would soon be gone. I did not just post those pics to annoy my Mom (although it is tradition, for 20 years or so I have been teasing her yearly with letters, then e-mail, and then blog posts about Vancouver's February flowers). But I had truly felt a lifting of spirit. A hint of a promise that I will soon go outside and feel lovely sunshine on my face, and warm soil in my garden.

But now I have been sucker punched. Mother nature is one sadistic bitch. Look at these photos I took today:

Henry loves kitty cats

"Honey, I'm just taking the dogs out for their bedtime pee."

Henry, Tika, come on, lets go out. Walkies!"

"Man it's dark out here guys...Tika, what's wrong, why are you whining old girl? Hey! Tika, where are you going? Why are you running back to the house, you didn't even pee yet."

"Henry, where are you? OH NO! Henry come! No don't go over that way!!! Go back to the house with Tika. Ignore that kitty, he does NOT want to play with you. It's a bad bad, kitty. NOOO!!!! Oh shit, not again. Get over here you stupid, half-witted dog. That's the third time now, and you still have not learned. Oh god, right in your face again. You are spectacularly stupid."

"I've told you, IGNORE the black kitties with the white stripes down their back, you stinking idiot."

I can see a little light

I have been SAD since October. Not just sad, but really SAD. Seasonal Affective Disorder. SAD is depression caused by winter lack of light. When I first heard of SAD years ago, I scoffed. I was derisive. "Another excuse made up by malingerers" I thought. Until my yearly Autumn descent into lethargy, dark thoughts, and constant fatigue became too scary to try to deal with on my own. I finally sought medical help and, depending on the year,I have sometimes required pharmaceutical assistance to get through the darkest days. This is hard to admit.

And if Tom Cruise reads this I will be subjected to a lecture on the evils of antidepressants and the natural joy of Scientology. Yah, Yah, I know what you're thinking: "She is not only depressed, she is delusional if she thinks Tom Cruise reads her blog, or even if he stumbled on it he'd give a rat's ass about her SAD".

But Tom, I don't need Scientology now. While it's true I am still soooo tired, and wake up every morning with ennui, I feel a tiny bit hopeful. Not because I actually feel better, but because I see the signs that assure me I really will feel better soon. Thank goodness I live where the first signs of spring arrive early.

I shot these photos on our walk to the dog park today:





Winter is on the wane. I'm gonna be O.K.

I love menopause: the top five reasons

1. Several times a day I get to go on sizzling tropical vacations. For free!

2. My heating bills are way down.

3. By January 2 I had forgotten what my new years resolutions were. In fact, I forget if I even made any.

4. Getting dressed in the morning is like a fun trip to the casino. Do I bet on my skinny pants because I sweated off 7 kilos of water weight in the night? Or will it be one of those mornings when I'm bloated up like the Hindenburg, and only my husband's trousers will fit me?



5. I've no need to spend big bucks at the spa. I get steam baths many times every night.

6. There is exciting new mystery in my marriage. The mystery is, my husband never knows from one minute to the next whether I will be a weeping mess or a screaming shrew. One thing he can depend on, I will not be the boring, joyful, even tempered woman he first met.

O.K., I realize I have now listed six reasons, not five. I should go back into the title of this post and change the number, in the interests of accuracy. Normally I would. But here's the seventh reason I love menopause: I don't give a shit about accuracy or much of anything else. I am a hot, cranky, depressed, brain-deranged harridan. I celebrate this bitch!

(What else can I do?)



So, my lovely internet friends, leave a comment. I dare you.

Peace

Last night I woke up at 3:23 in the wee hours. I'm not sure what woke me; amazingly it was not one of the fiery hot flashes that usually disturb my nights these days. But that's another story, one you will certainly be subjected to in due course. Bet you can't wait for that one!

As I lay in bed, the house was silent. Almost. Henry snuffled on his dog bed, Tika twitched on hers, dreaming about chasing the squirrels of her youth. B was gently snoring beside me, our legs entwined. Our cuddliest cat Snuffy was in her usual place between us on the bed. We call that place Snuffy Canyon. It is just about as well established as the Grand Canyon. Oliver was stretched out at my feet. Our rebel kitty Squirt was probably out selling crack-laced catnip.

My son had navigated another day at college and on the roads safely, and was asleep in his messy room downstairs.

I have many moments in my life when I give thanks for the blessings of my life. This was one. But it was also one of those perfect, peaceful moments when the outside world and all its cares could never get through the front door.

Snow. Make it go, make it go, make it go.

I can't make Vancouver's freakish giant snow banks melt faster, but maybe I can whisk you away from them for a few minutes. O.K., here we go:

Imagine you are on a salt sprayed lounger chair on a sweltering tropical beach, a good book and icy beer at hand. Shade from a low palm tree and a brisk breeze keep you cool, as long as you don't move any more than it takes to turn the page. (Yes, you're getting close, concentrate now.) Hear the swoosh of the waves, feel the warm white sand in your toes. See the pelicans hover over the water before they fold up like missiles and speed dive into the surf. Now you've got it! You are in Placencia, Belize.


The local beach bum dogs are hanging out around your beach Cabana, because you are a pushover, and have been feeding them choice leftovers.







A few days ago you were at Caye Caulker, snorkeling at the world's second largest, and in my opinion, most spectacular, barrier reef. The highlight was swimming with a huge spotted eagle ray.


The barracudas were more graceful than fierce looking. But the lemon sharks, despite the snorkel guide's assurances that they were uninterested in humans, made you pee your pants. Or rather bathing suit.


As you walk around town, people of Garifuna, Caribe, African, and Mayan decent smile at you and shout greetings in a unique Caribbean / Belizian patois. As you pass a local house, built on stilts to catch the breezes and as a hedge against flooding, a young boy eyes your bag of groceries and sees a possibility of making a little money. "Dat bag, he look heavy, lady. I carry he for yo, O.K.?"





Your lovely day wanes as you snooze in a hammock, dreaming of the next adventure, Guatemala, to start tomorrow.



Well gentle readers, has that helped you forget the snow for a little while? Do you feel warmer, more relaxed, and virtually sun kissed?

WELL I DON'T!!!! Now I'm more sick of winter than ever. Because that Belize trip is over. Soooo over. Last March it was over. Oh, for the whisper of wind in palm fronds lulling me to sleep. Sob!

She came back for a meme?

Yah, yah, I know what you are thinking, "Voyager has ignored us for almost a year, and then all she gives us is a meme post?"

Well, that's the way it is folks. I read Ian's (a.k.a. curmudgeon, but really a pussycat) answers to a retrospective meme of 2008, and thought "I want to do that." His thoughtful and sometimes funny answers to this meme inspired me to come out of blogger sabbatical. And so:

1.What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before? Had a delightful, if halting, conversation with a woman who did not care that my Spanish sucks, in a roadside stand in Remate, Guatemala. We watched the sun set over Lake Peten, and learned a little about each other's lives while she grilled me up a delicious meal of fish, beans, and rice with hot sauce.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? No and no. Nuff said.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? YES!!!! My little sister had her first baby in March, my sweet little nephew. Here they are on New Year's day near their home in New Zealand:


4. Did anyone close to you die? Yes, an old friend who I shared a birthdate with died much too young of a rare cancer. I miss her light.

5. What countries did you visit? Guatemala, Belize, and several trips to Nova Scotia here in Canada.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? The opportunity to see my new (and only) nephew.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? December 31, 2008. Which I got to spend with both my parents, despite the fact that a year ago my Dad was told by his oncologist he would not likely see another New Year. He continues to defy his doctor's expectations and all odds. You rock Dad.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Some exciting new work challenges in the Arctic.

9. What was your biggest failure? None. Not that I did everything perfectly, but I truly believe in the adage that falling down is not failure, as long as you get up again and carry on.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? No. Well I did break my toe in August. Since that was the only health problem I had in 2008, I am blessed!

11. What was the best thing you bought? B and I bought a cabin in paradise. A dream come true.


12. Whose behavior merited celebration? My darling B for supporting me with tolerance and humour through the craziness of the menopausal past year.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Our political so-called leaders.

14. Where did most of your money go? I wish I knew.

15. What did you get really, really, excited about? See answer to number 11 above.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008? Verdi's "Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves". Because my Dad asked for it for Christmas, and he was here to enjoy getting it.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:(a) happier or sadder? Happier.(b) thinner or fatter? Thinner a little. (O.K., a very little) (c) richer or poorer? Poorer, I think. But so what, I have everything I need.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Travel.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Waste time worrying.

20. How did you spend Christmas? With my Beloved, and my parents at their home in Nova Scotia. Quietly, gratefully. And soooo well fed.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008? All over again, every day.

22. What was your favorite TV program? Anything involving doctors.

23. What was the best book you read in 2008? "What is the What" by Dave Eggers.

24. What was your greatest musical discovery? Can't think of one.

25. What did you want and get? A year of living, loving, and health.

26. What did you want and not get? Winning a big lottery.

27. What was your favorite film of this year? I actually did not see any 2008 films. I may, once they are on pay-for-view. But I am not much of a film buff.

28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I went to work as usual and turned 51. Yawn.

29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? A month, or three, of travel.

30. What kept you sane? My Beloved spouse. (Actually, we are not formally married, but there is no ceremony that could make me more committed to this dear, precious man.)

31. What political issue stirred you the most? The prorogue of Canadian Parliament. What a stupid fucking mistake that was.

32. Who did you miss? My Sister in New Zealand and my brand new nephew. And at times, myself.

33. Who was the best new person you met? A young woman at work to whom I was a volunteer mentor during her first year as a lawyer. Her energy, optimism, and intelligence was inspirational. J, You have a great future!

34. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008. It does not matter how many times you fall down, only how many times you get up again.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. "But you'll always get by with a smile girl."