That was about the best weekend weather wise we have had for some time.



Saturday saw us being minders to tow little munchkins for about 12 hours, their parents went off fishing and we had the honor of entertaining them. Between Fran as good cop and me as bad cop things worked out OK, though at times the acting out temper tantrums stretched the good cop’s commitment.

At the dock the flies were out in force, Fran refuses to wear modern bug jackets or fly dope. The munchkins do not do walking we were told so a couple trips around the trails on the four wheeler kept things quite for a bit. Then there was a conflict about who wanted to go where and when, will keep my own council on the little one.

Sunday we took a stole over the other side of harbor, there were only two people fishing over there which was a surprise as the word was out that some big char were being caught at the dock earlier that morning.
On the return walk Siutik came across a low flying bird and gave chase. At times it was hard to figure out who was chasing who, the chase seemed like it was going to go on forever so I had to call her off.




At the ball park some folks were in the early stages of a beach volleyball game, they are pretty good at it too.

So we finished the weekend off by having BBQ steaks and a cold one.

The crane on the Northern Ranger broke down last week, now we have the Aston delayed in Natuashish [the next port south of us] for undisclosed reasons. There is no wind to speak of, no rain, hail or pestilence, so maybe it must be heat exhaustion.

So the perishable freight that the ranger left behind and the Astron picked up in GB is going to be in some fine shape by the time it gets here.

Another grand day yesterday, 19 official but warmer than that in the sun....sun.... sun glorious sun.

Down the airstrip the other day some people were discussing digital pedometers and something called Small Steps-Big Results. I was not paying much attention but the digital pedometer caught my eye. I asked if I could by one, no problem I was told, $15.00 and it’s yours.
I was then asked if I wanted to join the group, why not I thought.

So I/we are now in Team Nain in this Province and Canada wide initiative to get people more active.

I figure we do a good deal of walking as it is but this may help motivate just that little bit extra, time and joints will tell.

Siutik is the other half of the sub group; she wears the arm band while I wear the pedometer. Maybe I should figure out a way to attach the ped to Siutik, great way to up the steps average.

The FACTS in context are; I won’t complain about the heat, it was just right yesterday, high of 18. The bugs were annoying though, big ol horse stingers kept Siutik on the move.

At least one person seems to get high blood pressure reading my blog. The sudden rush of blood seems to lead them to making irrational, negative and nit picking comments.
There is a sure fire cure for that high blood pressure problem you know.

I am more than a little pleasantly surprised that the Nain Inuit Community Government has decided to ban plastic bags come December 1st.
I do admit to being worried that the proposal would not get enough votes to pass, congratulations NICG.

I was remiss in mentioning before that the leaning snack outlet in Nain “Puff in Snack” [and only beer outlet] has had a notice in store for some time announcing they would not be handing out plastic bags from December. They urge people to bring their own bags. No, leaning is not a typo.

So we have in store bulk filtered water, plastic bag bans a huge clean up program at the dump on going and a beach cleanup today courtesy of NICG, things are moving along quite well.

Subsequent to my post on the Executive Director of OK resigning, seems there was an offer that was too good to refuse involved in the decision. None the less my views on the stress of the job, especially for people from away, still stand.

Down the dock yesterday talking to a couple about the weather and the projected summer like temperatures for rest of week, guy says he is not going to complain about the heat once. Me neither, just record the facts.

People are up in arms about the fact the Northern Ranger left Goose Bay without any freight this trip.
I have lost contact about who to target in NL government what with all the minister coming and going. It is a hard slog finding out who is the best to contact but more important who really gives a dam about the north.

I think I will leave it up to those on 90 grand salaries for a bit and see what eventuates.

Looks like Okalakatiget Society is looking for a new Executive Director. The present ED is resigning as of next month which is a pity but thems the breaks.
I think the pressures of that job are too great for one person, sort of puts the predecessor’s reign of 28 years in a bit of perspective.

Northern has a new reverse osmosis water purification machine. It is not fully installed yet but there will be four sixes of containers available. You initially purchase the bottles and the first fill up is free.
At first blush the prices are reasonable for consequent fill ups. I hope these things catch on and help reduce the need to bring all that bottled water in.


Northern Ranger update. Can’t even get there automated arrivals/departures right. When you dialed the 866 # it said ETA Nain 1.30 pm. It was at the dock at 12.30.
Then it sits there for the usual 3 hours before leaving on the return trip. Why they stick to the schedule is beyond any ones understanding, seeing it has no freight aboard you think would they would take the opportunity to return to GB ASAP to get to work on the defective crane.

As to the freight left behind in GB. No thanks to the 90 grand folks, and with many phone calls by a certain individual [not me], the Astron was turned around from Makkovik on its way north to go pick up at least the perishables in GB.
Seeing as there are no potatoes in town that seems reasonable, even if the powers that be at Labrador Coastal Marine were at first reluctant to accommodate.
As usual the 90 grand folk are slow off the mark, they may be working on the problem but you have to be a smarter starter to get things done in a way that helps the ordinary bloke I am afraid to say.

WTF: Like I feel like I’m in some sort of weird time warp movie, today is like yesterday and tomorrow will be today.

WTF2: The Northern ranger is on its way north……with passengers only.
Seems the on board crane is not working, bloody great in it, all off season to do maintenance. I think this is a first, the crane has had breakdowns mid trip but I can’t remember The Ranger ever leaving GB without any freight before.

WTF3: The Federal Government has committed 4 million dollars over 4 years for maintenance of Labrador coastal airstrips. From the interview I heard this morning it would seem there is still the on going agro between the province and feds about who does what and when. The province operates the airstrips and the feds pay for it. The province it seems still has not put in their proposal for funding new airstrips for two coastal communities including Nain.
This sort of CRAP is what happens when both levels of government decide that they really do not want to fund certain projects as this time. Seems silly putting things off, the price tag will only increase every year, but that is the way the game is played.

I sure hope the provincial government is not waiting for Nains new airstrip before fixing the toilets down there, and Rigolet has the same problem.

A fourth black bear was shot last Friday. The decision to shoot the bears was a multi level provincial and NG government decision. Seems two cubs and mom and one other were the victims. The bears were showing no signs of fear of humans and were looking quite comfortable in the vicinity of town and all its noises, foods sources etc. I guess they would wouldn’t they.

The relocation of Hebron is still a very emotional issue for many people, you just have to watch the video “Always in Our Hearts” [produced by Okalakatiget Society] to get a good sense of the pain and hurt and anger over the way the whole relocation was handled.

Now we have an internal squabble that can only exacerbate the pain and hurt. I listened to two interviews by Andrea Webb and Jim Lyall. Andrea's was very emotional and Jim's had a slight air of detached and on the arrogance about it, funny how reasonable people become like that after they get elected to positions of power.
Both did not really communicate effectively to what the real issue seems to be here. That is that the Hebron relocation committee wanted to take one or two of their family members to the special ceremony next month. The president was saying no, you can’t do that as money is short and you can’t take your family members and not include all other family of relocates.
I am open for correction but that is my reading of what is going on.

Again, with some pre planning and pro active thinking by both parties this debacle could have been avoided.

Now Jim might say to me, "if you have any good ideas and solutions then convey them". To which I would say "show me the money baby".

Socked down in fog and drizzle again.

Got away with quite a nice weekend though. Sunday was cloudy with the in wind cooled things down but Saturday was very nice. The break allowed planes and choppers play catch up with business, things were busy on the streets with people out catching a few rays and just enjoying life in general and it allowed me to almost finish my little garden wall project at the font of the house.

The dock was busy with long liners loading the final freight and passengers for what has become the annul trek north to set up and operate the camp in the Torngat National Park.

The crews on the new NG building were rocking and rolling, seems like every trade there is in construction is on the site at the moment, action plus.

We had a little care package come in Saturday, I used some blue cheese from same on my steak yesterday, had almost forgotten what a good blue taste like. Funny Fran won’t touch the stuff, but ‘aged’ cod livers were OK. I think I would feel the same about the aged cod livers.

Now this water diversion plan seems like a very dumb idea. Historically these large water diversions have proven to be disasters of monumental proportions and end up having to be reversed; California and Florida are just two examples of these follies.

According to this report three bears have been shot around town this week. No surprise really as bears have become more brazen and must be getting used to seeking out food in or near the communities for whatever reason [there is always a reason].
I am surprised that there does not seem to be any coordinated plan in dealing with problem bears. It seems you wait until bears become a threat [real or perceived] to humans or their pets then you go and shoot them. Reactionary versus pro action

The fog and drizzle continues and will be with us for some days yet it seems.

Rhubarb behaving badly, or not?

This rhubarb from Okak, the abandoned Village, was in a pot for a couple of years doing not much of anything. I transplanted it out in this spot last year.
About 5 weeks ago it was hardly visible above the ground now it is going gang busters, but I am not sure if it supposed to be going gang busters in this fashion. Any way it looks great.

T’was fogged in yesterday, same today, and same tomorrow by the look of things.

We were down town doing some chores and shopping, of course the main topic of discussion was the fog just beating out the bears. Fran assured people that “it was a warm fog” therefore it will burn off.
Low and behold the fog lifted by about 1 and it turned into a nice day.

I had a chicken out for supper but was not sure what dish to do with it. All depended on how cold or hot it was, it is hard to tell what these warm foggy days will do.

In a compromise we had bricked chicken with double garlic baked potatoes along with yellowing lettuce and un-ripened tomato salad.

This year I relocated our basic bird feeder from the rear of the house to the front. Not sure it was a great idea; the way these veracious little birds eat we will have to apply for a government grant to keep up with the feed. Oh I know, we can get the food by mail to subsidies the bird feed, they seem to be subsidizing everything else in the food line, well not everything but many things that should not be.

Any way the birds are lining up at the feeding like it is a Tim Horton’s drive through at coffee break.

One larger junco has been feeding a younger one but I have not been able to capture it yet. The white crown sparrows push the juncos out and the big bad gray jay push them all out. Still they all get there fill.

After 21 yesterday today is foggy, rain and about 8 degrees, never get too comfortable with any weather system up this way.

While in Northern on Saturday the manager approached me and asked if I had ever eaten kale. Not that I recall was my reply.
The manager retreated into the storage cooler and returned with a big bunch of what looked like wilted greens; some of the leaves were yellow, not very inviting looking.
After some banter he asked if I wanted to take a bunch and give them a try. With some reluctance I offered to take half a bunch.

So yesterday I gave the Kale a try. Like all good cooks I Goggled ‘cooking Kale’ to get some hints on the prep and cooking methods.

Pictured is the end result accompanied by honey/mustard/ginger roast pork, crispy baked spuds, yam and home made apple sauce.

Method of cooking: I removed the stems and the yellow leaves, chopped the kale in large pieces. Boiled the Kale for several minutes then left it in the pot until just before serving time.
I then sautéed the kale in butter, ginger, red wine vinegar and some mustard for about 4 minutes.

End result. The kale kept its shape and size like cabbage does and unlike spinach and bok choy which goes limp and seems to vanish before your eyes with over cooking.

Taste test. As Fran said, different. Bitter and chewy, I found the bitterness just about right, just taking the edge off the sweetness of the apple sauce and the yams. Still I think I’d rather go with spinach or bok choy even though the cooking process is more delicate.

Fran did not eat more than one mouthful, bad Fran has to do the dishes for a week.

So the weather was not as bad as forecast over the weekend, cloudy with some light rain. It did not keep the folks indoors, lots of people out down the dock and other areas fishing and just enjoying the weekend.

Three black bear sightings the other night, one large and one medium bear in town, around the waters edge and amongst the houses. The larger one was spotted over at the brook behind the power plant. That most likely is the one I reported on a couple weeks ago. The authorities put some shots over the bow of the larger one and it took off into the woods.

I wonder if any one has considered a bear trap be built or procured for the town, bears have been more common and brazen in the last several years.

On the weather front: seems like our summery run is temporarily on hold, showers and cloudy until Thursday according to the Canadian model.

I was reading through the Hansard for the Nunatsiavut Assembly of November 08, the last to be published.
There was a lot of hard to read and understand material on Trusts and tax regimes etc. Towards the end of the session things became more interesting.

A question from an ordinary member was put to the Minister of Culture, Recreation, Youth and Elders regarding his arrival at the Assembly a day late.

The question was asked of the minister: was the reason he was late due to his attendance at a football game in Montreal.

The minister’s answer was; “the short answer is no the member, that is not what it was and because it is personal I won’t get into specifics or details, thank you very much”.

The next question from the member was; “so to be quick and to the point, were you at the football game? Thank you mister speaker”.

The minister’s answer was; “I was at the football game, thank you”.

Why this stands out is the fact the same minister used the same “personal” reason for not attending the Language Conference held in Nain last year. I wonder if anybody bothered a follow up question on that one?

There is interesting reading in those Hansard transcripts, people of Nunatsiavut should put the effort into reading them, it can be hard slog but the juicy bits make the slog worthwhile IMO.

Heritage Stutus for Moravian Church?

Last Sunday evening we attended a public meeting called by the Board of the Moravian Church in Newfoundland and Labrador [MCNL]. The MCNL has ultimate responsibility for all church properties in Labrador.

The public meeting was for the pubic to have input into an effort by MCNL to gain Heritage Status for the church building and eventually for a couple of other buildings, mainly the old Hettasch house and the Old Boarding School that is at another site.

A good turnout of about 30 souls was on hand, predominately church elders and chapel servants with a sprinkling of other residents.
Also in on the meeting by phone was the MHA for Torngat Maintains and a gentleman from [HFNL].

It was pointed out by the chair of the meeting, Joan Andersen who is also the chair of the MCNL, that it would be prudent if everybody could center their attention on finding out if the community was interested in saving the church and obtaining Heritage Status for it.
Heritage Status would mean money could be obtained from Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador [HFNL] for retrofitting and upgrading the church, as long as the local church committee could put up matching funds.

Of course that was like whistling into the wind as things got off topic quite a bit. I thought the chair did a great job answering the off topic points and a better job steering the discussion back on topic.
.

It was proposed that a heritage committee of about six people be formed; the chair gave out the names of several people who had indicated they would be interested in being considered. The assembled were asked if any one else was interested in being involved, the silence indicated to me that no one else was.
This proposed committee concerned some of the elders who feared that it would usurp some of their powers and responsibilities. Of course this fear was and is absurd but none the less much discussion at the meeting and further discussion privately the next morning hopefully alleviated any of the fears.

There was also some discussion about the possibility that the church could be dismantled and a new church built as some deemed it to be unsafe.
I think any reasonable thinking person would be aghast at this proposal. I had a sense that the idea of removing the church was floated by parochial self interested outside sources. Sure the church has many defects and needs many upgrades, that is precisely what this meeting was all about, trying to save it and renovate it.
There was anecdotal evidence given that engineers have deemed the church safe for the moment and it can be safely used in the short term.

If there is an overwhelming need to build a new and larger church then it could be done, but there was a feeling that it should not be built on the existing site as it has significant heritage value. There is the church built in 1923 on the site of the original church built in 1777, an old manse called the Hettasch house and the oldest building was used as a twine loft at one time plus for other uses now called the shed. There are also foundations of buildings long since pulled down or destroyed by fire. Unfortunately [to me] there seems to be a consensus that the old shed should be dismantled. Perhaps it is just too dilapidated and can not be saved, still it is a pity.


After much discussion and to and throw the chair asked the assembled if any one was against applying for Heritage Status for the church. The dead silence would indicate to me no one was.

So the Heritage Committee and MCNL have until September to get its act together and file an application to HFNL. The Heritage Committee will work in conjunction with and full discloser with the local church committee.

I wish them all the good luck in the world.

The weather was really amazing yesterday for the arrival of the first cruise ship. As well the harbor was buzzing with people going off in boat, about a dozen kayaks out doing basic water safety and the arrival of the Northern Ranger.




The local cruise committee had organized a warm welcome for the Orlova with tents erected for cooking traditional foods, craft displays and sales as well as a seal cleaning demonstration and some performances by local groups.
As an observer it seemed to go down very well with good participation by locals and the 100 people off the ship. I hope either the passengers and or the cruise operators dropped some money during their 5 hours in town as some people went to great lengths to welcome them.

We were anticipating the Orlova as one of Fran’s childhood buddies from Hopedale was on board with her husband. Hannie now lives in Ottawa and has been trying to get up to Hebron for some years. As the Orlova is scheduled to call in there tomorrow Hannie decided to do this cruise, it being the cheapest way they could come up with. Especially this year as the cruise ended up a great deal, two for one with all the discounts.
We sure hope they do make it into Hebron, the ice is still an issue up that way, and the constant easterly winds are keeping the ice inshore from just north of Nain to up past Saglek. Some crew off the Orlova consulted with some locals, who seemed to think they can get inside the ice from the north, time will tell I guess.
Added to the ice issue is a problem with the engines on board the Orlova. The crew could not give an accurate ETA in Nain, the best they came up with was a four hour window, we wondered why but found out later it was engine problems after they left Makkovik Tuesday evening.

The town AngajukKak is having some health issues, sort of out of the blue. She is in Goose Bay waiting to get to St. John’s for more tests, we wish Sarah god speed and a quick and full recovery.

Workers in Voisey’s Bay nickel mine have voted overwhelmingly to go on strike. I have no idea what the issues are but on the face of it it would seem like not a good time for striking. Workers in Sudbury are expected to vote for strike action when their vote is taken.

Update on the proposed banning of bottle water by the Oz town of Bundanoon. Well they did it and good for them. Now the NSW Government has joined in by also banning bottled water.


A fishing vessel came into dock this morning on a sad mission. The captain had died of a heart attach, the remaining crew seem to be unfamiliar with the boat so no telling how long it will be here.
The boat is not from here, will leave the rest of news for later.

At the July meeting of the Nain Inuit Community Government [council] a proposal to ban plastic shopping bags is to be tabled. I sent a letter of support for the ban. Others who give a shit about our environment should do like wise.

I finished off my letter with a plea to look at banning the sale of bottled water. Nain would be looked at as innovative and a leader in positive thinking if it took my urgings seriously.

Nice start to the week weather wise and looking OK for the rest of the week.

The mv Orlova is scheduled to arrive in the harbor some time today, I hear there is a nice little reception planned. Could be a busy little area down the dock with the weekly arrival of the Ranger at 12:30.

The good news is historically we have had no snow days in the months of July/August.

The other news, good or bad depending on your view, is that to date in the month of July we are right on the historical lows average with 5.2. We are well below the average high of 15.1 with only 9.3 to date.

Around town on the weekend it was eerily like fall, fog, cloud, cool in wind, place seemed semi deserted yesterday, that is quite the norm for Sundays, yet it is still eerie.
The place does come alive somewhat in the afternoons; I guess we are early persons.

Saturday afternoon there was a lot of action and noise at the Husky Center, Nain Care had a bike rodeo and a BBQ.
I know this because I was cleaning up refuse from the CBC site just across the road from the Husky Center for an hour and a half.
I only did the inside of the fenced property, perhaps some of a younger age and contributor to the refuse mess would like to volunteer and do the outside of the perimeter.


Later:

Hallelujah, we have sun and does it feel good.

Double hallelujah, I was down at the CBC site this AM to re set a computer, to my surprise I noticed quite the difference around the outside of the fence. Person or persons unknown cleaned up the refuse that had blown against it.

Hydro wise.

Back in November at the public meeting Hydro speculated that the new generating unit [to replace the one destroyed in the fire] would most likely not be on site until September this year. This did not go down well with Hydro customers in town.

Well the good news is that the new unit arrived on the Astron this past Thursday. No fan fair or drum rolls, but it is sitting up near the mobile back up units.
Now getting it installed is another thing, but three months ahead of schedule is good news.


A couple of weeks ago CBC G-B did a piece on the lack of operational bath rooms at airstrips along the coast. Rigolett was cited as in the most dire need being without bathrooms for quite some time.
The bathrooms in Nain have been operational and clean for some time. Alas that is not the case now; they have been down since last week some time. Not sure why but hope they can be repaired post hast.
Imagine being on a flight say from GB to Rigolett, straight line only 40 minutes but many times you have to get on the flight that goes direct Nain then all stops back to GB. That means you are on the plane for 31/2 hours or so. Most people in the senior bracket would be busting for sure.



















Hidden at the bottom of this story is a piece on how Hopedale RCMP contributed to the community spirit in a volunteer manner, good for them and congratulations.
CBC G-B did a nice piece on this story but have not got it up on pod cast as yet.

Nain RCMP have not been getting any good press of late, pity as some members have been visible volunteering at community functions and events, plus being involved with sports programs etc.

So there you have it, the first boats are in. There is one very important item missing from the list of arrived goods, can anyone guess what it is?

Just as we missed most of the winter storms we are missing the heat of summer. Goose Bay is suffering under severe heat for many days, bush fires are becoming more of a threat daily, why even the golf course has to be watered daily to keep the greens green.

It was pleasant day all round for Canada Day, hope everybody had a nice day too, except for those idiots who go around bashing on peoples doors early in the AM. Did not happen to us but others were rudely awoken by these recidivist drunks and druggies, some people never seem to grow up.

We attended the senior’s breakfast around 8.30. After that hardy meal we had to have a walk to work some of the calories off.
Later the parade did a run around town then a BBQ, games of chance ball games etc over at the ball field.
Fran attended the festivities while I did some clean up of rubbish along the street in the vicinity of the house. Then I did some work in the greenhouse, baked some dog biscuits for Siutik then BBQ some Calgary Stamped Real Beef Burgers for us, how patriotic is that then?

The Ranger [first boat] arrived around 6.40 PM. Quite a few people at the dock, would have been more only there was a radio bingo at the time [put on by Canada Day committee I think].

While it is always great to see the first boat arrive it does not have the same feel to it as years past.

Why now days there is a chain link fence around the docking and lay down area. People are kept to the speed boat dock and fish plant parking lot.
Only after the boat has docked and passengers disembarked can you gain access to the boat docking area.
This maybe for safety reasons but it still takes from the event.


Ranger making its way to the dock, 6:60 PM on 1 st July 2009.

On this Canada Day I would like to nominate Art Williams for president of Labrador. Mr. Williams, mayor of North West River, seems to have more chutzpa than any other male politician from this region in resent memory.
I guess he can expect a phone call any time after the premier returns to the province.

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.