Received a picture from my old friend Linda - here she is with her son and husband. Thought I'd share it with those of you who know her.
Well, it's Rendezvous weekend and here I am ill with the flu. Two days ago I just said I have missed the flu so far this year - famous last words - just spent the last day flat in bed while everyone else I know is partying. I am able to check my emails and write this short blog, but now I must return to bed.

My sister told me to go onto You Tube to see Paolo Nutini. I did, then You Tubed a bit more and found this - and I promise it is the last one I put on for a while! If you remember, SR & I went to see James Blunt in Edmonton (see the slide show in the side bar) a while back. I made him take his small camera and take pictures (although the tickets said no cameras). He did as I asked and did it all without a flash so we wouldn't be caught. I have currently been listening to Blunt's new album which I like a lot, but had to smile when I came across this, which aired on August 31st, 2007 on Sesame Street. Enjoy!

Up-date

Cousin Frank has scratched from the Yukon Quest. Keep in mind he is probably the oldest person running the race (61 this year). Here is the reason, according to the Muktuk website:

This Quest is probably the toughest race we’ve done in twenty years. There were difficulties with supplies, clothing shipments arrived too late to use, and there were a dozen other logistical challenges. But with the help of our crew, we managed to get through it all … not to mention the three-week cold snap with temperatures dipping below -45 Celsius on a regular basis (leading to a frozen septic system, amongst other things).

On the personal side, Frank struggled with a very painful shoulder, but some Chinese medicine patches seemed to help that a bit. Then, the vehicle gremlins went to work on the truck engine (it’s still in the garage). Norcan saved the day, but we had to send my car up to Fairbanks, because the loaner truck had only two seats. And you guessed it, my car has had problems up in Alaska – we are really hoping it makes it home.

On the trail, it has been equally tough, with very cold temperatures and very strong winds. Tonight, in Mile 101, the winds were again picking up on Eagle Summit, and Frank has just made the really tough decision to pull out. He struggled for hours with this decision, but in the end felt he did not want to put the puppies through it any longer. They do not have the experience or mental toughness that comes from experience; and Frank’s injured shoulder makes it extremely difficult to compensate for that.

We need to get him home and get his shoulder fixed (he cannot lift his arm higher than mid-chest). And he has a couple of other injuries to tend to as well. That is one of the hardest things about getting a bit older – you just cannot ignore the injuries the way you can when you are younger.

We are all feeling stunned and disappointed, but know that Frank always makes his decisions based on what is best for the dogs – and with so many young dogs in the team, the decisions are more difficult.

News from the brighter side - our cold snap has broken!!!! It is currently -4. I just went outside to shovel and was hot! It was getting too sad listening to people's frozen and burst water pipes, furnace problems, vehicle breakdowns. It is apparently suppose to rise to the plus side this week. Amazing to go through a change of over 40 degrees celcius in two days. Even with the windchill factor, it should bring the temp down to -7 - heaven!

Cousin Frank

Just a quick blog - here is a photo of cousin Frank leaving from the start line (in Fairbanks Alaska) of the Yukon Quest yesterday in -40 temperatures.

The Yukon Quest Sled Dog Race takes off tomorrow from Fairbanks Alaska heading towards Whitehorse. Right now it's -39 Celcius in Fairbanks. Here's a short from last year's Quest start from 1st Street (by the Railroad station) in Whitehorse:

Jackson Lake

Here is a commercial for Tostitos. It was filmed at Jackson Lake, where I lived for 10 years - and no, that was not my cabin.

Minus 40 and lower

While I sit warmly working on my family tree (great weather to sit in front of a computer!), my friends Michele & Terry have posted some pictures on their blog of our current weather conditions. For a fun look at Whitehorse @ minus 40 and colder, click here .