More fun in Alaska:
It was a three day weekend (these folks have lots of holidays!), Veterans Day. Friday I went to look at an
apartment that I would LOVE to move into. It is in a very nice neighborhood- a mother-in-law apartment. However there is big time competition for this apartment! I am waiting to see if I might have been chosen to live in this nice place.
I have been knitting Mike a cap for our anniversary (don't worry-I haven't given away any secrets since he doesn't get a chance to read the blog)....my goal was to finish the cap on Saturday. Which I did.....took it off the loom and saw a little problem. I think this would be a fine cap for a child but it was too small for Mike. So, I stayed up until 4am so I could knit another one!! It's a little too big, I think. So, I'll send both and maybe one will fit him and keep his little ears warm!
I knitted a baby cap-same problem! Jules, sweetie, could you use a little cap for one of you baby dolls? I'll have to try again to get it right for my grandbaby.
Today I walked with Jane and her dogs-an hour. But, it was a little warmer. We waited until 10:30 so it had
warmed up to 15. She wears a parka, cap and mittens. I wear my insulated underwear, a fleece top and vest with my cap and mitten-usually have to take the last two off because I get too hot. But, my face does get cold! Usually both of us and the dogs have frost on our face where our breath condensates and then freezes. I just love Alaska!
This afternoon I went to the
Alaska Native Hertige Center for their presentation
"Nanum: of the land". I got there in time for the presentation on traditional medicinal plants-very interesting! After that I went to hear three young men talk about their moose hunts. I loved it-listening to them talk about how the elders, uncles, fathers taught them the hunt reminded me so much of listening to RB, Brandon and Grandad talk. They really believe it is important to listen to their elders and learn from them. They also talked about being "modern" hunters with their snowcats, sleighs, GPS, etc. But they also say that they observe the traditional teachings of the elders (these kids were in their early twenties) such as:
-they don't say they are going hunting for moose because the animals are always listening and you don't want to broadcast your intentions so you say you're going to "look around" or "going for a walk."
-they believe that the animals offer themselves up for food and clothing and should be treated with respect and appreciation if you want them to continue to offer themsleves.
-a young man's first moose is cut up and offered up to the community. They cut the moose up and offer the best part to their grandmother then to the elderly and so on.... One guy said he got a peice about the size of his fist-that was all that was left for him.
The story telling was fun-they told on each other. One guy had never been on a hunt and showed up in the wrong clothes, didn't know how to be quiet, etc. They really gave him a hard time. Story telling is important in the culture as it is in most indigenous cultures. Grandad was a great story teller....he would have enjoyed listening to these young men!
I saw a presentation on harvesting plants on the North Slope-the artic. I was amazed at what actually grows above the tree line! WOW-it was interesting to watch a film of some elders that returned to the tundra, the north slope, to demonstrate gathering techniques in the artic. There among the mosses and lichens were blueberries, salmonberries and cranberries....not to mention greens and other goodies.
During the dancing I got a reindeer and buffalo hot dog with chili. I wanted to sit and watch the dancers but there were no empty chairs so I asked this lone elder man if I could share his table. I am really glad I did! He is a drummer and singer for the dancers in his village in the Northern Yukon. According to him his village is getting too big, around 700 people, it was nice when he was younger-half that number!
He wanted to know about where I was from and how long I had been there and how long I would stay. When I told him, he wanted to know about my coat (I had left it in the car because I hate to keep up with it!). He was worried I was going to be too cold. He told me I needed to get a coat that would come to "here" (drawing his finger across his mid thigh). Also, according to him, I need a hood with a ruff. According to my new friend it's going to get very cold in Alaska and I need to have a warm coat-"very important."
I also met a woman who was FROM TEXAS! What a small world! She was here for a week and going back tonight-although she was really clear that she did not ever want to leave! Now, the world gets smaller: she is from San Antonio and knows Virgie Ravenhawk and Bear Heart! I gave her the information about
Gathering of the Circles and she plans on attending in August!
Well, gotta go knit baby caps....have a good weekend!
Snow Machines-Note I said snow machine...snow mobile is a lower 48 term, do not use it. Beside snow machines are a little different. They are easier on the environment since when the snow melts, the tracks go away. The cost is $165-$200 per day. You can click on the link and check this out if it is your thing!
