A warm one for sure yesterday, 23 official, 26 at the house, 34 in the greenhouse. Cooling off for today and back to normals for next few days.

The Ranger has left Goose Bay for ports to Nain ice conditions permitting. The Astron is delayed somewhere due to ice conditions.

I think it becomes physiological when the boats don’t get in by the end of June. One starts getting a little antsy, you wonder when the summer will really start, you are anxious for the stores to get their fresh supplies, when will those building materials get in, it is only 5 more months and the boats will stop again.

Truth is as rule fresh supplies never arrive on the first boat or the second or third in some cases. The days of going without many things have passed [unless you live in Makkovik] with the new trend of flying many things in instead of stocking up the year before.
Of course we pay dearly for this convenience with higher prices and pay for it again with tax payer subsidies under the two food subsidies programs. One time “food mail” meant fresh perishable produce. These last few years it has meant almost anything, and many other items not under the subsidy programs are being air freighted in, the economy of the place must have improved some.

Early on it was looking like we might miss the heat wave again. Alas it has gone from 10 at 8am to 21 by 11am. Not as bad as Makkovik where it is 27 already.

The mv Astron is also in Makkovik today on its way here.

The Northern Ranger apparently had little freight of consequence on its part run up the coast last week.
Even though there is no toilet paper, sager, flour etc in Makkovik, the only supplies they received was bottle water, coke and chips, gota have some fresh water to wash down all those calories and starches eh?

The Ranger is due in Goose bay at 10.30 this morning, they are still not giving a departure time for the trip north.

Well knocked me down with a low flying F4.

Like any body with any common sense ever believed that there was ever going to be a 650 man rapid reaction force deployed to CFB Goose Bay.
That does not include disillusioned self aggrandizing politicians and screaming business people who seem to thrive on these sorts of half arsed promises.

The best thing for that base is to turn the housing over to not for profit organizations for low/medium income housing and retirement housing.

Yesterday afternoon little miss aviation took off for an overnight trip to her other grandparents cabin outside Pauls Island. The break will do her good; she is getting grumpy waiting for her man to finish his flying stint at school.

The day was nice weather wise, nice being not too hot and not too dry.
In the morning I had two technical glitches to deal with, one was replace a receiver that picks up CBC north from Iqaluit and feeds it to Goose Bay and the coast. The other was the 100 watt Tx that handles the local CKOK signal; it is having problems so I switched to the back up 50 watt job. It is also having issues like most things 60 + years old [tell me about it] but is OK for now, but not for too long one would speculate.

In the afternoon we took a stroll, we were heading up the hill past the hydro plant when some people coming down the hill said, “there is a black bear down near the brook”.

We continued on along with another woman and her two kids. No sign of the bear when we arrived at the bottom of the hill and crossed the brook, so I let Siutik free to run. A little later several groups of people came down the hill, including the ones who warned us of the bear, so I figured the bear must have high tailed it for now.
There is also a bear hanging in the woods behind our house, usually only comes down in the evenings, a neighbor is keeping tabs on that one.

We had a rolling thunder/lightning storm accompanied by rain pass through last evening, nice cooling and dust abatement effect.

Coincidently I was partaking in some mindless TV watching at the time, Tropic Thunder, about my third attempt at seeing it all the way through. Alas the storm interfered with the satellite signal, plus the lightning was getting too close so we shut everything down.

Prior to that we attended the ‘cap and gown’ and awards night at the high school.

Today the rest of the grades have there awards and ceremony then it is the summer break. The main student body can then join the ever increasing number of school non attendees.

It is an ever increasing puzzle to me why something can not be done about the truancy problem. Maybe it is lack of political will, well actually it is IMO.
What ever the reason it will not change when Nunatsiavut Government take over the schools in Nunatsiavut. Whenever any one broaches an issue to NG officials you get the same old bullshit, “oh we bring these issues to the powers that be attention, BUT WHEN WE TAKE COTROL Yada Yada Yada” What a crock

The Northern Ranger did a quick run as far as Hopedale and is now on its way back to Goose Bay.

With the ice moving off and or melting things should be a go for its first regular run to Nain next week
The Aston is loaded and heading up here from Lewisport too.

Funny weather day yesterday. Started off at +4 with some cloud, smelt like and looked like rain on the way. We had some very light rain, then it looked and smelt like a bush fire was out there, then it could have been smoke from the dump.

From noon to 4 PM the Temps rose from 10 to 24 [27 at the house]. Guess many people out in boat for a cooling off.

South of here Hopedale had 27 and Makkovik had the highest in the province with 31.
That high over Greenland decided to make a move south by the looks of it.

June 23.

Itchy throttle fingers. Boats out, some gone off. Great summer day for sure.

A day at the beach, Nain style.

A great weekend all round would be my guess. Fishing, boil ups [using Tetley Tea] along the shore, celebrating Aboriginal day yesterday and the weather was amazing.

It did only get up to a high of 11 Saturday and 9 yesterday, none the less it felt warmer, especially standing on the shore ice with the sun reflecting back.

Fran was up early yesterday and we went down and took in a very nice full breakfast for seniors at the community hall. Lot’s of volunteers from all sections of the community and lot’s of left overs for doggy bags.
There was a parade and events going on all day at the Husky Center, Fran took those in while Siutik and I took to the hills then watched golf on our return, well I watched golf, Siutik is not yet a couch potato.

I did get a bit of a shock phone call from a local person, they wished me happy Inuk day. I was a bit phased there for awhile until they went on with “you are one of use now, so happy Inuk day.

In the evening we went out for roast goose, dam it was good.

Update: I guess you could say the harbor is ice free now. Good enough for some boats to go check how far out they can get.

While the NW winds were brisk yesterday the ice has not gone far. There is a gap of clear water just off shore from town but the ice in the runs and further out seem to be preventing it from clearing right out. No boats out yet either.

Meanwhile round the west side of Northern Point people are catching some char through leads and broken ice. People were fishing off the dock and ‘over cross’ too.

There is more and more blue out in the harbor, keep those norther/westerly winds a blowing.

Further to yesterdays post on the former RNC officer and comments closed on the CBC site, well comments are open on further article pertaining to that story.

This is a true travesty of justice. Just when you think women’s issues may be taking one step forward you get a back room deal like this sending them two steps back.
Someone at justice should step in and appeal this sentence in the name of justice.

And how come CBC blocked comments, who do they think they are? Danny Boy.

Well it is official; I am totally acclimatized to cooler weather.

While the weeks of cool wet weather can get one down somewhat the sudden change to +21 in two days soaked the bejasus right out of me. It was +24 in the coolest part of our yard.
Mind you younger folk were soaking up the rays and overall enjoying the change.
With me I think it is also the dust from the roads, I noticed an increasing breathing problem when it gets this dry and the dust pervades all, cigarette smoke has a similar effect.

I am still trying to get my head around last weeks meetings on the Food Mail Subsidy and the proposed changes. The more questions I ask the more complicated any solutions become, still that is no reason for Government to not deal with the myriad problems that are taking away from the programs original intent and come up with a solution, it is broken so lets fix it.
Too many people find it easier to come up with excuses to not make change.

The premier of the province has flipped his lid again, for the second time in lest than a week Danny has lambasted and ranted and raged then abruptly hung the phone up on talk radio host Randy Simms.
Last week Randy mentioned that perhaps there were things not working for many in the health care field.
Yesterday Randy put it out for discussion that perhaps some parts of the province and some sectors of the economy are not doing as great as the center of the universe and the offshore oil sector.

I think most people expect more self control and decorum from their elected officials, especially premiers and prime ministers. Have a listen and you decide.

One day the sun will shine.

Well old Peckers [Brian Peckford] at least got that one right, brilliant blue sky with a tinge of red as the sun comes up this fine Monday morn. Old Peckers was quite mad by the time the electorate dumped him, me thinks we are seeing history repeat itself in NL politics.

Our day finely arrived, no heat wave but boy it sure felt like it after all that shitty stuff.

Yesterday about 11 Fran said we should go for a walk, no problem says I. How cold is it says Fran, it’s kinda warm says I.

Out we go and we had not gone 50 yards when Fran says, it’s cold. And it was, but I said wait till the clouds move off and the wind drops not that confidently, once the sun comes out it is unreal. Mumble mumble says Fran.

So we headed over to the ball park area, about half way around the field the clouds finely moved off, warmth at last so we stopped for a bit just letting it soak in.

We then headed down to Northern Point where some people were fishing in Apishi and a couple of blokes were real keen on going egging. That is them pushing a flat strapped to a komatik, they were headed to an Island that was quite a ways off, Fran says they must be starving for eggs real bad.

On the way back planes started landing, people were out like flowers blooming on a fine spring day. Couples pushing the children, walking dogs, kids on bikes, kids jumping ice pans, black bear on ice until chassed off by conservation office.

Later in the day there was not a cloud in the sky, it’s been a long while baby.

We are still looking for ‘our time will come’ weather wise. Today may bring a sunny break but no hands stand just yet.

Some wildlife hanging around, black bears have been sighted, one was out on the harbor ice Friday evening, it headed inland. Another was seen on the ice around near the dump heading out. There is also a moose hanging around inside the hills north west of Nain.

Saturday meals are usually a casual affair for us. We had some all beef wieners but how to serve them?
I had a lot of fresh vegetables so I decided to make up a salsa. I finely chopped up some tomato, red onion, green onion, celery, hot peppers, parsley a peach and added some Bunderin ginger.

Served the wiener and salsa on a warmed whole wheat tortilla with lettuce, sour cream, grated cheese, mustard and chopped green olives.

Pictured top right is: Perro caliente con salsa dulce picante de recapitulación.






















For breakfast this morning I decided to use the remaining salsa served on a tortilla with scrambled eggs and melted cheese.

Pictured at left: Salsa de queso y huevos revueltos de tortilla.

Bottled water,? What is the real cost of bottled water ? There are plenty more sites that give the low down on the environmental impacts this product has, but it really just takes common sense to realize that bottle water is not needed, especially in a remote community that has such a special relationship with the land.

Now out of all the bottled water shipped into Nain I would guess that Nunatsiavut Government would be the largest user of that product. There are numerous meetings and conferences that NG host over the year, bottled water is handed out and available to all and sundry at these meetings.
For normal 9 to 5 operations NG uses tap water and tap water that is filtered, some staff bring bottled water at there own expense.

Same thing at the Community Government, bottled water for some meetings that are outside the council business and filtered water for everyday use.

Still the NG has fare more meetings and would consume much more bottled water than any other entity in Nain would be my guess.
I would hope the bottles are recycled too, but that still does let them off the hook. I think it is irresponsible for this to continue.

My recommendation would be that an in line filtration system be installed at NG and all major offices for that matter. Again there are many other brands and prices to choose from.



After all it is really only the taste of the chlorine in the town water that most people have a problem with. There are a myriad of these systems out in the market place, it would take a minimum amount of thought and a minimum amount of effort to find the appropriate system for any particular need.
It would show leadership and would be in line with the people of Nunatsiavut’s philosophy of a strong spiritual relationship with the land.

For years now Happy Valley Goose Bay has had a serious water taste problem The two major retailers there have installed these larger in line systems and you can take your 18 Liter bottles up to the stores to be filled, the cost is just over $4.00 for the 18 liters.

Contrast that with the cost of a bottle of water here, I priced some this morning, one was Naya 1 liter for $1.49 plus enviro levy of .08 making it $1.57.
At Northern a 1 liter bottle of Aqufina demineralised water cost $3.29 plus the enviro levy.
At BigLand a different brand of demineralised [591 ml bottle] water cost .89 cents plus enviro. Something wrong there for sure but that is another story.

So it does not take a degree in mathematics to figure out the fiscal advantages of doing away with the bottled water, not to mention the afore mentioned impacts on the environment.

Maybe while the Community Government is thinking about banning plastic shopping bags they could throw in a ban on bottled water, or at least stop buying them, and maybe they could encourage NG to stop buying them, after an in line or other system system has been installed of course.

Update on my Previous post on flying all those items into Nain. Seems other stores in the other communities have become addicted to using air to "fly basics' in too. This is a report from CKOK.

Whats this then? June 12th, white film all over everything outside.

Look at the weather site and we find a -6 wind chill, that's two weeks without a wind chill.

Then check the ice conditions, not looking good either.

After several nights of country food we had a nice fesh pasta dish last evening.

Whole wheat pasta served with home made tomato/zucchini sauce with mushrooms, fresh spinach and sautéed chopped brats. All topped with fresh grated parmigarno.

After the hellish heat of Tuesday [+5 and no wind] it was back to reality yesterday with +3 and the ever cooling in wind.
Planes are on the go even with some iffy ceilings. Yesterday one plane flew over town before heading a ways south before ‘finding a hole’ that was not over land.
People who are new to this type of flying go through some anxious moments when they do that.

The ITK meetings continue, last evening there was a community feast with local entertainment put on for the visitors, though locals seem to enjoy them just as much or more than visitors.

There were also some people in town to make presentations to the ITK board on the federally funded food mail program. As I have mentioned before there is a review of the program under way, or more precisely many reviews.

Two gentlemen from the public service sequsted to do a review of the program for INAC gave me about an hour or so of their time. This review has been on going for about two years.

I also was given the opportunity to listen to a gentleman from Norterra, the parent company of Canadian North Airlines.

I am still digesting the information garnered from those two meetings, suffice to say the Food Mail Program is very complex and convoluted to the extreme.

Little wonder the proletariat have little knowledge or pay much attention to it. Which is a pity because it was put on originally for the benifit of the consumers of the North. This from the INAC web site It provides nutritious perishable food and other essential items to isolated northern communities at reduced postal rates.

Alas it seems to have expanded and grown and because of its complexity some of the other players in the game seem to be taking advantage, or abusing, the program to the detriment of the consumer.
IMO the aforementioned ‘other essential items’ is eating up too many dollars to the determent of the ‘nutritious perishable food' aspect.

This is not to say that the consumers are not reaping some benefit, they are. But it is clear to just about everyone who takes an interest that many millions are being squandered or just plain disappeared because of the lack of transparency, openness and accountability.



So while I digest the results of the last few days I would like to put out for the consumers benefit some of what is going on the food mail program pertaining to Labrador.

It was not too many years ago that retailers would order their winter supplies and they would arrived late November on the boats. These dry goods and frozen products were to last until the next boat in the next shipping season.

At that same time the food mail program would bring in nutritious perishables and the odd little bit of dry foods that had run out, or the odd frozen product for the same reason.

Then a few years ago Lewisport Wholesalers [the main supplier to the coast] was brought out by a bigger fish in the food chain. The bigger fish shut down the Lewisport branch of Lewisport Wholesalers and moved the operation to a different location.

The new bigger fish also discontinued the practice of supplying the retailers with their winter orders and allowing them to pay off the debt over time at no interest, or at least low interest. This would be the same as obtaining a no or low interest loan from a bank.

So starting slowly and then increasing in frequency the food mail flights have increased from one Twin Otter load [3,000 lb] a week containing mainly fresh produce to six to ten Twin Otter loads [18,000 to 30, 000 lb] a week containing mainly dry goods, frozen meats and BOTTLED WATER.

That’s right, bottled water. Not only is it absurd that bottled water is being brought in the first place in such volumes, but tax payers are subsiding the air freighting of it.

This increase is happening legally under the food mail program. BUT, the retailers are taking advantage of the absurdity of a lot of these dry goods being included in the first place. Mayonnaise, cheese spread are two examples, take a look at some of the other eligible items, it is absurd.

The taking advantage is: Instead of the retailers, [I must mention not all of them] taking out a business loan to stock their warehouse and freezers for the winter, they are using the mail program to bring in much needed supplies at the subsidized freight rate.

Now without any transparency and openness in the Federal as well as the Provincial program who is to say what percentage of these two subsidies is actually being passed on to the consumer?????

Now out of the two biggest retailers here one has ample warehouse space that is never more than half full, while the other has inadequate warehouse space to store anything substantial like winter orders. Makes you wonder how much they depend on this subsidy to keep their stores stocked doesn't it?????????? My guess would be, a bloody lot mate.
It also seems; if not like a breach of the letter of the programs it certainly is a breach of the spirit of the original intent.

Here is another little ditty: Under the food mail program only two wholesalers in Goose Bay are registered to supply goods. Those wholesalers are small in the scheme of things not carrying any where near the stock of wholesalers outside of Labrador. But they are only ones to supply the program.

So with this increase in demand and the frequency of the orders coming in the wholesalers are going up to the Terrington Co Op, purchasing items there and then shipping them up in the food mail program. The analogy told to me is; the Co Op has 3, 000 items in its inventory while the wholesalers have 300 items.
Yet the Co Op does not have permission to operate under the food mail program, why this is so is debatable to some, but from my knowledge and that of others to me it is clear cut, a story for another day.

If this practice does not add extra cost to the end user, plus the GB wholesalers are notoriously over priced in the first place I will eat my slimy Okra.


Update: After all those brick bats a little kudo to throw.

The wholesale price of milk has risen several times in the last little while [thanks to the milk marketing board]. It cost retailers $4.05 to purchase 2 liters [so I am told] ex Goose Bay.

Northern is selling them for $5.29 and Big Land for $4.69.

Even taking into account the shipping of milk is free from Goose Bay to Nain it is still a good jester on BigLands part.

Our time is yet to come but at least yesterday’s fog cleared off to only high cloud allowing planes to start arriving about 3 hours behind scheduled. No wind and a high of +5 made it feel like a heat wave after the last several days.

Busy little place too with ITK holding there AGM here plus ancillary others coming in to make presentations to them, then there is the usual suspects who start to come into the north in the summer months.

The latest NICG newsletter has a proposal to ban plastic shopping bags in this community. Interested parties have until the July meeting of the NICG to submit written responses to this proposal.


Wow, Nova Scotia has elected a majority NDP government. I wonder what Nova Scotians know that the rest of Canada does not.

What would the chances be of an NDP government here next election I wonder aloud. About as much chance as Danny Williams buying his next suite from Moores would be my answer to self.

I am somewhat inconvenienced at the moment by an archeological dig going on at the side of our greenhouse.

Post dig I had created some steps covered in grass to allow access to I higher point in the back yard. I have a little deck and dog house up there for Siutik.

Below is the archeologist having a break from the dig and looking rather sheepish for some reason.

We are still waiting for our time to come, it is past noon and the promised ‘fog burning off in the morning’ has not materialized.

With the weather as it is I have not been over energized in sowing any seeds for the greenhouse season.
Reluctantly I did sow small amounts of various loose leaf lettuce, spinach and some herbs on Saturday. I also put in some flower seeds outdoors and some in the front porch to see how they go.

Fran speculated that my reluctance may bring a good growing season and a plentiful harvest.

The sun shone through some gaps in the clouds yesterday, albeit briefly. It is amazing how energizing and uplifting the sun is, we could just feel it doing good as we walked around town, a couple of other folks mentioned the same feeling to us.
Mind you they were both in the senior bracket of years lived, that’s when you appreciate more what nature is all about.

The break in the drizzle and the new found energy had us both out doing a final clean up of the front and side yards and a clipping of the grass. The last of the lingering snow patches had finely melted, though some ice is still hanging in just under the surface.

I needed the lift from the sun too, I was a bit down after listening to CBC’s Weekend A arts Magazine, they had a segment live from the first Farmer Market of the season in St. John ’s. Lot’s of greens and fresh herbs on sale, lots of mention of ‘all this sunshine’ is good for the farmers. Our day will come, our day will come.

I am not sure what townies mean by ‘greens’ really. Does it mean greens literally or does it also include tomatoes, peppers, melons etc.
Any way the real reason I was feeling down listening to the Farmers Market piece was it brought back memories of the markets in Montreal and Florence and Halifax and Ottawa and Athens, OK I won’t go on.

So looking out the window is not a good idea for the feel good psychic, it is bloody snowing again.

The level 3 students from JHMS had their graduation yesterday and last evening. Our grandson Brian John was among the 16 who made it all that way.
We both attended the church service at 5 but only one of us could go to the grad dinner and dance. There was a maximum 6 to a grad table so some had to forgo.

For some reason the dinner dance took rather a long time, it was scheduled to start at 7. Fran came home at 10 and said she got tired of sitting down; the speeches were still underway with the dance of the grads not looking like taking place any time soon.

One thing that I did notice, and I am not sure if it is significant as I have not been to a grad for about 4 or 5 years, and that is out of 16 grads the majority were males [correction, 8 n 8]. It seemed in the past the majority always seemed to be females. I could be corrected on that though.

12:50 Just waiting for the snow and drizzle to stop before our walk. Our time will come.

Another yucky day yesterday, drizzle all day with fog coming and going. Some how planes got in much to the surprise of most, must have been some holes in the ceiling.

Fresh food was in too, picked up some cherries; I have not had them for years, at $8.88 a kilo I figure what the heck, they cost $19.99 a Kg in Iqaluit.

Light snow is falling this morning, our day will come.

Our dear Fop is at it again with all the anger and bluster of the local bully. When will this all end, not anytime soon going by history.

Smokey the Bear corrals local customs officer on Trans Labrador Highway. If the pod cast comes up later of interview on Labrador Morning I will link to it.

Here is the bear and the customs officer [off duty] pod cast.

La cuisse de perdrix avec vegitables et le riz fumé.

There’s snow on them there hills, not to mention snow on the newly clipped lawn at front of house.
I guess the traveling public will just be getting antsier as it looks like more of the same, especially the ones trying to get home from GB.

Glancing through the SMH as I do most mornings I could not but notice the glaring discrepancies in how one government deals with ministerial missteps compared to another government.

This whole health care debacle is not all Ross Wiseman’s doing, but he sure as hell has played a major role in misleading the public on many occasions, this latest of ‘not knowing’ one minute then, ‘well I do not apologize for doing what I did’ is just unbelievable.

Surely the sun that shone on this government has long set and will not rise again until they are given the old heave ho like the former Liberal government was.
Only problem with that is we get into the same merry go round, when will we get a break from these partisan, corrupt, incompetent governments I wonder.

La balle de viande, vegitables rôti avec juice de caribou.

Well yesterday was a washout and today looking the same. One of those nasty easterly flows that do not flow fast enough.

Occasionally I receive private correspondence from people commenting on what I write here. People do not want their names used for one reason or another, and that is OK. I appreciate that they take the time to contact me, usually with encouraging words.
I received one of those on the weekend, even one now and again sort of gives one a boost.

I know many do not agree with what I have to say and would not mind any comments that are constructive criticisms.


The department of transport has announced a delay in marine shipping into Goose Bay due to ice conditions.
The Sir Robert Bond, due to leave Lewisport on Friday the 5th is now due to sail June 12th. The Northern Ranger due to depart June 8th will now depart a week later as well.

At this time it is not known if the first northern run by the Ranger will be effected.

Then there is a story of some Nain children who took a trip down to the Island last month. It is from the Nor'Wester Newspaper.

Hmmm, to get to the Nain kids story you go to the Nor'wester page, click on search at the top right, click on anytime then enter 'Nain hockey players'

We copped a lucky break yesterday with the weather; the fog lifted early revealing a nice sunny day getting up to +10. It is foggy as to what the rest of the week brings.

We did the walk around the shops in the morning then in the afternoon took a ride up into the hills to check road and trail conditions.
The roads have cuts into the snow and are OK; the trails still have some way to go before they will be a pleasant walk.

I took this photo showing the ice conditions near town. It shows the NG admin building under construction, the beige building with the blue stripe is the new Northern.

Then we did a run down to northern point and the airstrip, the spring clean up crew have started and are in full force there, what a difference in such a short time. Nothing looks more disgusting and uninviting than all those plastic bags stuck in the willows and brush.




We stuck around chewing the fat and people watching as the two afternoon flights arrived.

Weekend weather was not that exciting, RDF for the most part. We took an hour and a half walk yesterday in very light to light drizzle. It was not overly cold, the ground going varied from gravel road to mud to soft slushy snow.
Siutik appreciated it going all out the two times she was let run free.

Not looking that good for the rest of the week either.

On the way home we stopped off for a cappuccino at Northern, busy place for a Sunday afternoon. The cappuccino was from a vending machine so it was no barista style; still it was warm and sort of tasty.

Quite a lot of people still going off on the ice, mainly fishing to Nain Bay and other spots. With this warming temperature and the rain some people think the ice is getting border line for travel, so I am sure there were some anxious relatives until all the travelers arrived home.





I had some chicken wings marinating for two days [was going to serve them up to the grandkids on Saturday but they “don’t like wings”] so we had them last evening. I am not overly fond of wings either, but am not as fussy as the grandkids.

Served them up with garlic mashed potato/sweet potato, vegetables with a three cheese sauce, sort of an interesting clash for the taste buds but not overpowering.

Made up Fran’s favorite dessert, lemon meringue pie.