020108

Well we had the town almost to ourselves yesterday, or at least it seemed like it.
Just after noon the four of us plus Siutik took a walk out on the harbor. Matthew was the lead, we went straight out at first, but that got boring, so we headed for the shore and the bellycaters.
The day was grayish, -19 with very very light snow falling. It felt less like snow than somebody spraying water on your face in -19 temperatures.
Only noticed one other sole on the ice, someone coming back into town on snowmobile. All in all a very peaceful scene, especially in amongst all the rafted ice along the shore.

We then headed for the playground, Siutik tried the slippery-dip again; against her will] and did not like it like the first time. The kids did their thing with the dog having fun chasing them on the swing etc.

We headed back to town stopping off to visit relatives visiting from Hopedale. Had a warm up and coffee, the two youngest visitors wanted to come with us when leaving.
I hooked their plastic sled up to Siutiks harness, boy did they have fun being hauled along, falling off at times, until balance was worked out. Matthew was almost out of breath trying to haul back on Siutik, she just loves to pull, I had to intervene to slow things down a bit.

The reasons for the absence of people out and about on such a nice day varies.

One reason would be: It’s tradition here for some families to cook a big meal [just like Christmas] on New Year’s Day. Some do it New Year’s eve.

A couple of people asked me what I was cooking, my reply was left overs. I added that my youth was spent either in a pool, at the beach, golf course or on the water fishing New Years, so cooking a big meal was not part of my tradition.

One other reason: some people very hangover, or still partying from the night before. For part of my life I suffered those afflictions too.

Just back from walk and visit to stores. Lot's of hand shaking and happy new year greetings all round.