Yukon Sunrise

Gotta stop taking pictures out this window. You'd think that's all I do at work, but not true. Someone once told me that in the Yukon you really notice the sky. How very true. I was drawn to this window just after 10AM the other morning as the brightness of the sun was blinding us all as it appeared above the horizon.
The good news -- I think we're out of the -35 weather. I was going to write a "cold" fact each day until the weather broke, such as the colder it gets, the louder your boots squeak in the snow, or at -35 and colder, when a plane takes off from the airport it sounds like it is taking off down the street you are walking. I parked my car the other morning and walked 3 blocks to work and my glassed were crusted with ice and my hair and scarf were white with frost. Let me tell you, I won't miss it if it doesn't come back!! But it did hit -20 tonight. I had to pop into a store to pick up my Xmas gift and had to squeeze by a lady in the parking lot. "Sure is a lot warmer" I said to her. "Yes, it feels like spring" she replied. I guess only in the Yukon can you say -20 feels like spring, but it really did!
Good things and bad things are happening to me.
Bad thing: I took a bite of a rancid cookie this afternoon.
Good thing: I won the Christmas Basket from my Hairdresser
Bad thing: My pizza flipped up-side-down onto the kitchen floor when I took it out of the oven
Good thing: My neighbour came in with Christmas baking for me
It's definitely a yin and yang time for me.
Tomorrow is Christmas Eve ... I get to open one present before I go to bed, a custom I have never out-grown. And after feeling them all, I know just the one I'm going to open.
So don't forget, you only have one more day to be "good" before Santa arrives.
!!!Merry Christmas!!!

Garbage Truck Santa

As mentioned in my blog below, here are two photos of the Santa Garbage truck that lights up our streets every winter. Wayne Henderson actually used to pick up garbage in his decorated truck but now the city has allowed him time to drive to schools, old age homes, etc to bring a little Christmas cheer into our lives. It is fun seeing it driving around, especially at this time of year when it is dark most of the time. If you want to learn more about him here is a little video story that CBC did on him: click here
P.S. He is also one of the workers that helped dig that huge hole at the end of my driveway this past summer. He's everywhere, just like the real Santa!

Weather vs Climate

When it is -35 degrees celcuius you begin to wonder about global warming (and why isn't it happening here!?!). I heard today on the radio that we are experiencing "weather" not "climate". What's the difference you may ask. Here's an explanation from the NASA website:

The difference between weather and climate is a measure of time. Weather is what conditions of the atmosphere are over a short period of time, and climate is how the atmosphere "behaves" over relatively long periods of time.

When we talk about climate change, we talk about changes in long-term averages of daily weather. Today, children always hear stories from their parents and grandparents about how snow was always piled up to their waists as they trudged off to school. Children today in most areas of the country haven't experienced those kinds of dreadful snow-packed winters, except for the Northeastern U.S. in January 2005. The change in recent winter snows indicate that the climate has changed since their parents were young.

But it's difficult to think climate when you have to be somewhere at 9 AM and it's -35 outside. This morning I was driving to work and saw the Santa Garbage truck. This is one of the City's garbage trucks that is decorated with over 1,000 Christmas lights and Santa driving. Sitting behind my steering wheel in my full length down coat with a thick scarf wrapped around my neck, ear bags keeping my my ears cozy and big red winter gloves AND being strapped into my seat by the seat belt, I was unable to maneuver myself to grab my camera to share this unique spectacle with you. Sorry, but blame the weather. The exhaust from the vehicles in front of me sits in the air as I drive through it, like driving through a thick fog impairing vision. I only like my vehicle sitting about 4 hours outside before starting it up again, so it doesn't freeze up, so half way through my day I must go out and sit in a frozen car while I run the engine for 10 to 15 minutes. (Tomorrow I'm looking for a spot I was just told about where I can plug in, thus eliminating running the engine, but it's a secret spot so I can't tell you where it is) It could be worse though, as at -36 and colder (not unusual getting to -40 or colder) the seats are as hard as rocks, and the wheels are square for the first five minutes of driving. Yes, I am trying to make my glass half full!!

And to top it off, I received a phone call just before lunch from SR who is currently in HAWAII!!!! He laughed when I told him it was -35. It was 28 above in Hawaii and it was only 8:30 in the morning there. Ah well, I hope he enjoys it.

This weather is predicted to at least Monday, so I'll keep my long underwear handy and think warm thoughts (see glass half full again).

Aloha!

Merry Christmas

Xmas Plate

To MJT: This is the Christmas plate you once sent to me. It resurfaces every Christmas and gets filled, usually with cookies.

Officially Christmas Season

I attended the Christmas Choir last night at the Arts Centre. That always marks the official beginning of the Christmas season for me. The performance last night included readings from local Yukon writers about their Christmas experiences. That, coupled with the singing made it the best performance I have ever seen. It never ceases to amaze me of the talent so far north - it rivals anything you can see anywhere else in the world. So, here's to the Christmas season, may it be a happy one for you all.

3PM Thursday, I saw someone walking two dogs along the edge of the clay cliffs. For those that don't know, Whitehorse is in a valley with cliffs running along side. Just beyond the trees in this photo is the airport. Anyway, back to my story. They were silhouetted on the edge of the cliffs and would have made a great picture if I didn't stand there watching them instead of getting out my camera to take the photo. Now the man and the dogs are walking in these trees, not that you can see them, but that's my story of the missed shot. Not much of a story, but hey, I don't have much time for stories now that I'm working.
This weekend was spent getting ready for Christmas. Baking cookies, writing cards, wrapping gifts and mailing them away. The week ahead has Christmas parties, and of course, the Whitehorse Choir and the Persephone Singers performing in the Arts Centre. The snow is falling, the temperatures just below 0, and colourful lights are lighting up the houses on the street. Just watched Elf on TV and yes, I do believe!

A Book Club Christmas

True to my word, one of our Book Club people doesn't want to be recognized on my blog, thus the face (but apparently with the right equipment you can unswirl her face and recognize her) ... but last Saturday, we had our Book Club Christmas party. As usual, lots of good food including the cookies baked by the little Hungarian one. I know it may be difficult MJT, but do you recognize the plate the cookies are on? And sorry Lisa, if I were in Ontario this year, these cookies would have been baked for you and Kate! We had our Xmas tree decoration Chinese auction and of course lots of laughs. This marks the start of the Christmas season.

Dancing with the Elves

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Christmas video

Mrs. Nugent always said that my sisters and I should become a singing group. None of us can sing, but we sure can dance!! Above is my Christmas video - I AM sharing Christmas with my sisters!

A Whitehorse Morning

The thing I like best about working is the view from the windows on the third floor in downtown Whitehorse -- don't tell my boss that! The sunrise over Grey Mountain is spectacular at this time of year - a celestial wonder - and you cannot help but gaze at the ever changing beauty as the sun makes its way over the mountain to start the day. The top photo is looking down 3rd Avenue from Main Street just as the sun makes itself known. Our winter weather has been a treat (for me anyway) with temperatures hovering just around the freezing mark. You don't even need a coat and if I cannot be in Arizona at this time of year, this is just how I like it.

The airport

Had brunch at the airport today - I know it sounds strange that we eat at the restaurant in the Whitehorse International Airport (tho it may not be "international" for long as the building has to be larger than it currently is to be called an international airport and allow flights from other countries and as an expansion was started, some group - and it may be a First Nation group - stopped construction, so ...), but the food is excellent, location is convenient, and especially if you get a window seat, the view is panoramic. Although it is a bit of a grey day, here you see the runway with the snow machine removing some snow as a flight was expected in shortly. When the flight did arrive, we left, to avoid the crowds (even tho Air Canada Jazz doesn't have the crowds of the southern flights - I believe just under 100 people if full).
Other than that and getting gifts prepared for Christmas and baking Christmas cookies, and working, and doing regular daily chores, I have more to do than time to do it in. I may have to re-think this working business, but for now it's fast and furious.
Till next time ...

Main Street Yukon

These photos came in backwards but c'est la vie. As you know I'm a working person once again (TGIF - yes I do know when it is Friday and Sunday now and also know all the Stat holidays once again). As I'm stationed right on Main Street (in the Hougen Centre for those of you who know where that is) I thought I'd take some snaps. The photo above (and the one below) is from my "boss'" office. She is luck enough to have the corner office so she has a two directional view. Looking out on to Main Street is the federal building - built around 1988 (I was working for Target Downtown before its building (a downtown revitalization project non profit association) and had a say in what the building would look like. For those of you who did live here in the very very past, remember the ugly, yet functional, old federal building in post office green and in fact all the postal boxes and post office was right there on the main floor. Much has changed now as the main floor hosts an atrium and an elevator.
Then looking out her other window is the rest of Main Street right down to the White Pass & Yukon Route station, in other words, the end of the road (I worked there too as a Train Order Operator which is like a dispatcher). If you think this photo looks familiar, it's because if you go to the extreme left hand of my blog and below the frog click on to Main Street Real Time, the camera for that website is one floor above the floor I am standing (in my investment advisor's office).
Now, this photo is from my office, although I don't have much time to look out the window, at Main & 3rd. Since I have a good view of downtown I feel I should look out more often but I'll bet my boss doesn't think so.
So tomorrow is the big Spruce Bog, the craft fair of craft fairs in Whitehorse (other than the Cranberry Fair). I certainly will be attending that and maybe some of you who read this blog will get your Xmas gift from some crafty talented Yukoner.
This is why my blog entries are now slow - work gets in the way. In case you're wondering, we are in the winter seaon now. 5 centimeters of snow expected tonight to add to that which is already on the ground, but our temperatures are just below zero, that is above -10, so we are all very happy.

Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work I go every week day, leaving me little time for myself. How did I do it in the past?? So my weekends tend to fill with all the things I want to do. And this weekend, I had lunch at Lil's - good 'ol 50's type burgers and fries. And a great place to take kids as as they love the food and can't harm the '50's furnishings! He we are just waiting for more friends to join us. The waitress made it into this photo as well. Love the poodle skirt!

And to continue on from the theme of last weekend, I went craft fairing again. This one, in which Deb and Nancy were selling items, didn't seem as busy as last weekends fair. Maybe it's too early for most, but not for me as I am in full swing in making gifts to ship off for Xmas!

Winter is Here

Ah yes, the snow has fallen, the temperature dipping and staying below zero ... I believe winter has now arrived. Have already shovelled my driveway at least twice already. Time to pull out the remainder of my winter gear. It's not out of the norm though as Hallowe'en is always cold and snowy. The costumes are made large to fit over the snowsuits and boots. And I'm already thinking Christmas - pulling out the sewing machine, material, knitting needles and wool, and recipes, getting ideas together for gifts to make and send south. And the craft fairs have already started in town. Jack Hulland school has the first of the season and in two weeks will be the famous Spruce Bog craft fair. Now that I'm working during the week days, my creative time is shortened so I have to try to organize myself - a difficult task for a procrastinator.
Not much is new since my last entry -- even our government remain the same after all the $$ spent on a big election, so I will sign off...

Beauty and the Beast

BEAUTY: My dear friend Bill sent me this photo of Butchard Gardens in autumn. Well worth the visit if ever you are in Victoria B.C.

The BEAST: The Economic Situation
Sometimes from across the pond you hear the news a bit differently than we do here in North America. The following was again courtesy of Bill:

Following the problems with Lehmann Bros and in the sub-prime lending market in America and the run on Northern Rock, HBOS and Bradford & Bingley in the UK, uncertainty has now hit Japan.
In the last 7 days Origami Bank has folded, Sumo Bank has gone belly up and Bonsai Bank announced plans to cut some of its branches. Yesterday, it was announced that Karaoke Bank is up for sale and will likely go for a song, while today shares in Kamikaze Bank were suspended after they nose-dived. While Samurai Bank is soldiering on following sharp cutbacks, Ninja Bank is reported to have taken a hit, but they remain in the black. Furthermore, 500 staff at Karate Bank got the chop and analysts report that there is something fishy going on at Sushi Bank where it is feared that staff may get a raw deal.

Dinna

It was a lovely long weekend with birthdays, dinners, time to read, time to relax, time to rake those leaves . . . We had a number of power outages beginning Friday, two on Sunday and one on Monday. Consequently, I believe my router is fried which means I have to plug into a wall to use my computer. Did I say to be thankful for the little things??? I'm trying, I'm trying. Back to the positive. Had a great meal with friends (and animals - 3 dogs & a cat). That's what Thanksgiving is all about.
Election day today. Truthfully I don't think our government will change much from what we have now, but time will tell. The polls are open for another hour and a half, then we'll find out who will lead our country.

Happy Thanksgiving

Not much to report from the northern front. Now that I am a paid worker once again (until the end of December anyway) I am having to squish what I did throughout the day into the night time hours or a weekend. But, alas, being a paid daytime worker, I now know when a long weekend comes upon us and the first one is Thanksgiving. (Of course, I would have known that weekend in any case as 26 years ago Thanksgiving Day I had a baby - something one cannot forget). So, we have already celebrated the birthday (Happy Birthday son!!!!) and today I will have a Thanksgiving Dinner and am looking forward to the turkey and all the fixin's that someone else is preparing (appreciate the invite Nancy!).

This Thanksgiving comes at an appropriate time considering the economic plunge we are currently experiencing. This weekend, we should think of the things we still have and give thanks, not what we have lost and despair. It is often the little things that make life a joy and I have many of them in my life - a wonderful son, many good supportive friends, strong and binding family relations, good health, opportunities that comes my way whether I take advantage of them or not, a roof over my head (so far anyway), and food in my belly to name a few. We often take for granted things we have that people in other parts of the world suffer without regardless of the economic conditions. I enjoy laughter every day, freedom of thought and actions and the pride of being Canadian. I am not rich money-wise, but I am rich in the things that make life fulfilling, and for that I give thanks.

To all of you Happy Thanksgiving!!

As you can see, autumn is not quite finished and we have had our first snowfall. This is the second morning with a new skiff of snow. Makes me think of Christmas and snow tires (which I am in the process of purchasing). Usually the first snowfall is October 11, so we are a bit early this year.

Tired of receiving those unwanted telemarketing calls??? Now we have a Do Not Call List you can register with. "If you are a consumer you can choose to reduce the number of telemarketing calls you receive by registering your residential, wireless, fax or VoIP telephone number on the National DNCL. " This is made possible by the CRTC, an agency of the Canadian Government. The link to register is : https://www.lnnte-dncl.gc.ca/index-eng .

And, with the elections on the horizon, I was just sent an email which is definitely anti-Harper, as you can see from this excerpt: " Fortunately, voting strategically has just gotten a whole lot easier. There is now an amazing website, www.voteforenvironment.com, that is tracking every riding in the country and making up-to-the-minute suggestions on how best to fight Harper. It is the coolest example of Canadian grassroots democracy since the Free Trade comic book." I clicked the link and found the site interesting. You may too.

Finally, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. If you want Ellen DeGeneres to send your friend/mom/sister, whomever, a wake-up call, just click here, fill in the blanks and send the call. It's fun and it's a good reminder.

Pouring Gold

For those of you that know him, Shaun made the front page of the Whitehorse Daily Star newspaper today. There is also a full page story called Proving Gold Mining Meets Ethical Standards. Above is the front page photo and caption.

Skagway Road

Just a few photos of the drive to the coast. Whatever the season, it is always worth driving the two hours to Skagway just for the scenery, something we never tire of and we always look at it with eyes you would think have never seen it before. This is what makes living in the Yukon worthwhile!

Ahhhh, guess where we drove this weekend. Yet another trip to Skagway, Alaska. Nancy just purchased a new car and wanted to try it out, and considering the last cruise ship will soon depart Skagway's waters, the shops will soon close and consequently large sales were calling. We were lucky, it wasn't raining. The drive in the autumn is beautiful and although the bears are filling up on berries for their long winter nap, we saw none. The only wildlife we saw on the road was a squirrel. Arriving at the lunch hour, we stopped at Poppies for a bite to eat. Their gardens, while still beautiful, are seeing the last of summer. The food once again was excellent! We then proceeded to shop till we dropped but alas, even with the sales on, nothing caught our eye. My favourite shop was closed and there are so many diamond stores, they all start to look the same after a while. The wind in the wee city was brutal. We almost bought hats and winter coats! And on the way home, my favourite ice cream cone store in Carcross was also closed. Guess summer is over and I'll have to wait another two seasons for an ice cream treat.

Autumn

I wish I had my camera with my on my drive to Lake Laberge yesterday afternoon. The sun was shining and the hills and mountains were a myriad of colour. Iris told me that she was in Dawson City last weekend and the trees are now bare there, but down here it is breath-taking.

One of my favourite flowers, the ice flower, is now in full bloom in my garden. The colours are so bright and cheerful. Thanks to Gramma who grows these beauties from seed each year and graciously shares them with me.

Caleb

I have already told you about Caleb whistling the tune "Whistle While You Work" anytime anyone walks past him (or if the wind blows) and about the neighbours querying me about where that whistling tune is coming from. Well, Caleb has been silent for the last little while and I have discovered why. His battery (yes he lives on battery power, he's not a real gnome) was found hidden well under a rock in my rock garden. How did that happen???

Had a birthday lunch for Ev today along with my ol' neighbour Helen. Ev just had a knee replacement and still has trouble getting around so we took lunch into her house and enjoyed an afternoon eating and chatting with her. She also still has problems with her rotator cuff which she tore last October when she fell - I can sympathize there as I am currently having physio done on my rotator cuff - a painful affair. And, with all of her medical problems, she is still smiling. Happy Birthday Ev!
By the way, as both Ev and Helen know their birds, the bird below is a Wilson Warbler, in case you were wondering.

Maybe it's from living next door to an ornithologist, or maybe it's from having lived next door to Gramma for 18 years, but I do notice birds. I had a flock of these little yellow birds in my trees and bushes this past week - don't know what they are but they sure are pretty - and fast. I was lucky to get a picture of one of them as they take off as soon as they land. By the way, notice the rain drops on the branches??? Just heard that the Yukon has had the coldest and wettest summer in 35 years, a fact my friend vouched for as she came north 35 years ago and remembers that summer. Now there is snow atop the mountains so even when it is sunny (yes, it was sunny ALL day yesterday!!!!!) you can feel fall in the air. Below the snow caps, the mountains are a palett of crimson and gold and at ground level, the trees are beginning to turn bright yellow. I love this time of year. No more deciding whether to wear shorts or jeans, a sleeveless shirt or t-shirt nor hoping the day will bring the sun AND heat. The summer clothes are now packed away and each day has the crisp smell of autumn in the air.

For MJT

Here is my favourite version of Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley:



Just shut your eyes and listen.

If you want to see him performing it, go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AratTMGrHaQ

I just can't embed that version.

City Workers

Here in the north we have heat tape wrapped around our pipes that bring the water from the main line in the street to our houses. I just discovered that my heat tape had no electricity travelling through it - a major problem. To find where the fault was, the city had to dig up the street and part of the front lawn. This is what I woke up to at 8:00 AM.
By lunch, the hole was dug, but they found a pool of water at the bottom of it. So, they had to call in a pump truck to pump out the water so they could reach the main and check the heat tape connection along (NOW) with where the water was leaking from.

I looked over at the backhoe operator and thought he was sleeping until I focussed the camera on him and he flashed me a peace sign. We all laughed. It turned out to be a happy story for me as the break in the current was found, the leak was just ground water, and the city is currently busy putting everything back together - at no charge to me (except in my taxes of course).

Loose Change

I watched a movie called Loose Change yesterday - the 9/11 conspiracy theory. Here's a trailer:



Funny because I have never questioned what I saw, just continued to be horrified by it. Now, after watching the movie, which is done Michael Moore style, I don't know what to think. If you get a chance, watch it, as you have lived through this terrible time, and I'll bet you'll want some answers to what this movie proposes.

You can watch more footage as well as the whole movie on-line. If you want to see more check out Youtube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdoJASdLg_A

Lake Laberge

Drove out to spend a night at the cabin at Lake Laberge with my good friend Deb. It's always great to get out of the city and just relax at the lake. The weather, as can be expected, was on again, off again, with some rain in the late evening but the sun did shine through at times.

Two minutes after taking this picture, the sun came out and the coats came off. Layering is very important this year as the weather changes from overcast to blue sky and sunny in minutes.

A shot of the cabin nestled in the trees. It overlooks Lake Laberge.

And I can hardly believe they accepted this as a personalized licence plate but seeing is believing. This is the old Yukon licence plate which is hung above the sauna.

And thanks MJT for your email complimenting the photos on this site. It's always good to get positive feedback!

Bean Here??

Dropped into Bean North's lovely coffee house located near the Takhini Hot Springs on the Hot Springs Road just north of the city. It's a peaceful setting to sip their fair trade java and enjoy the company of a friend.

There is a variety of indoor and outdoor seating areas. They roast their coffee on site and you can taste the freshness.

And considering our lousy summer their flower garden is beautiful.

Home Again, home again ...

We picked up the catamaran and started home. Although still foggy and now raining again, we stopped the ship by this fisherman to watch whales. Below is the spout of water from the whale, what you look for when trying to spot them. There were three at this spot and we watched for a while before heading home again.


We stopped first at Haines Alaska to drop off passengers. The skies began to clear and a rainbow appeared. It was very pretty and hopeful that the weather was changing.

This is Haines, a sleepy little town nestled on the coast of Alaska. We made our way back to Skagway (a 35 minute journey from Haines) and it was still socked in and pouring with rain. It was now 8:30 at night and we began our 170 km drive home from there. The White Pass was totally shrouded with fog which made driving slow but by the time we reached Carcross, the rain had stopped and you could actually see some blue sky.

Mendenhall Glacier

You can't visit Juneau without a visit to the Mendenhall Glacier. Here is a link to a web cam of the glacier: click here to see the glacier real time . The face of the glacier, seen above, in Mendenhall Lake is 100 feet tall (about the height of a 10 story building) and 1.5 miles wide, it's length is over 6 miles. Large as it is, the Mendenhall is just a tiny part of the Juneau Icefield, an expanse of interconnected glaciers that sits just behind the mountains next to Juneau, covers over 1,800 square miles and runs from the Taku River east of town to Berners Bay at the extreme western end of town.