MOOSE ON THE HOOF, MOOSE ON THE PLATE!


I had a very interesting Saturday!





I called Grandmother Kay Peet to see if she wanted to go to the World Music Festival and was lucky enough to have her agree to go with me. So, I got in my new favorite Pontiac G6 with the sun and moon roof and the lovely seat warmers to go pick her up. But, WOW, when I pulled out of the garage there was a big bull moose happily munching on the fallen leaves! I actually had to look twice to realize what I was seeing....our mind tends to comprehend that which is familiar to us. So, initially I had this fleeting thought that another cow had gotten in the yard (a common problem on the farm) but about as fast as that thought ran through my head I realized it was NOT a cow. I was amazed at how tall the moose was and how long his legs were!! And the fact he was right in town in the yard of the apartment. (By the way this picture was taken from inside the car!)

I finally got a chance to meet Grandmother Kay Peet -I had met Jack at the hospital when Kay was having heart surgery. They both invited me into their home in the true Eskimo way of hospitality. And it is a beautiful home in the forest on the edge of the river.Stepping in the front door one is surrounded with warmth-and not just from the stove. Kay and Jack have truly made a welcoming home and when they invite you in they invite you into the heart and spirit of the home. The kitchen is to the right and Jack has all sorts of goodies in there-from Moose stew kind of thing to pie! To the left is the sofa and behind that is the most heavenly place-Kay's craft table!! It is huge and covered with the hide of a Hereford. On top of that are some of the most beautiful crafts, including a white, beaded ceremonial dress and Jack's beaded moccasins-most beautifuls things I've ever seen! The walls are peppered with pictures of Jack in his rodeo days-roping and riding bucking horses. Jack made is life as a professional cowboy in the rodeo. (I will always remember with great fondess drinking hot tea, eating pie and listening to Jack talk about one of his bucking horses).

Off to the World Music Festival. There is nothing like going to a gathering with Kay Peet-she is a well known Traditional Doctor and she knows everyone and everyone knows her....and you get to meet some of the most interesting people. One of the ways of meeting and greeting here is to talk about where you come from and who your family is. We were at a craft booth and in the greeting of each other it became known that Kay's father came from the village of the crafter. But, as Kay explained, her father passed over a long time ago. Yes, the crafter agreed that he probably wouldn't know him but what was his name. Kay explained that he was known as Frenchie. The crafter had a most surprised look on his face as he admitted that he knew him, he had passed about 15 years ago and was an old harpooner. Correct!

When we first arrived we walked into the museum and were told where to go for the music. But, you could hear the music right off. Kay gently grabbed my sleeve as soon as she heard the music and said, "You must come, it's Pamyua!!." At that moment I did not understand the excitment in her voice or her eyes-but, she was right. That was the most "must" moment of the music festival! Their music moved my very soul!!! It is hard to describe but after hearing them every other performance was pale and watery! And there were some award winning performers! This group of four young people were a joy to listen to and to watch on stage! I especially loved when they did the Eskimo throat singing and would do some of the traditional Eskimo dance movements to the music.

After a while Kay wore me out and had to take me home...or rather I took her home. On the way to Chickaloom (her village) the moon rose in a beautiful big ball over the mountains turning the snow a rosy pink. I had my camera and I pulled over to snap a few pictures (along with carloads and carloads of other people)! It was breathtaking. Again, I only wish you could have been there because I just don't have the skill to capture the scene. The picture only shows a small segment, imagine white mountains stretching out on each side of the picture that you can see! And I just can't capture the colors and the sheen off the snow!









When we got home Jack took us to his workshop to see this little Borialis owl. It had gotten into the building and couldn't find it's way out. It had spent the day with Jack working in the workshop and had become calm, letting Jack within a few feet of him.
I was able to get this picture, standing very close to him. He is about 10 inches tall and appears to be an adult.



After another nice visit, with tea and moose and pie, I headed back to the apartment. It was a most beautiful drive. The river to the left of the road was partially frozen and the light from the full moon reflected off the ice like off a mirror. The moon light was reflecting off the snow on the mountains and the trees making it almost as light as day...and as beautiful as only Alaska!!!

A perfect day, new animal encounters, new friends, new music and new food-other than missing Mike, family and friends- I was as content as is possible to be in this life! For more pictures of my new friends and this wonderful moon go to www.picasa.google.com/dancingwithherbs/2006_11_4