On The Ice....

The first time I saw this film it left me with a very complex feeling. I was fascinated. I was excited. I felt a tad of trepidation. It left me a bit uncomfortable in that way that sriracha hot sauce will if you add too much. But it left me wanting to see more of it's kind. It also left me a bit sad because there is a huge risk that it will only a tiny spark in a mass of gray...without becoming a burning torch like it needs to be. And I think that is what makes or breaks a film. When I think back to it I don't necessarily remember details...but I remember the emotions it stirred in me. Beautiful emotions....

I really hope everyone gets to view this film! A wonderful span of time mastered by a Inupiaq Native filmmaker.

They are currently are looking for donations and/or pre-purchases.....

More info: ON THE ICE

Village internet.....and berries....

Our internet was down for a long time. Which made me aware of much I rely on the 'Net'. Is there such thing as internet withdrawal? All I know is that I burned through five books in about a week and a half!

It's Fall here in the arctic mountains. A time when we frantically run around and try to take advantage of this short and important season. My muscles ache from hours and hours and days of berry picking and from cutting and gathering roots before Sister Winter takes them away. Its a time of hunting and gathering, and of the Night returning. My first experience of a full dark night left me fearing what could be hiding in it! The bears have gathered for their own harvest too, as someone mentioned that they saw 11 bears in a single valley. We find evidence of them everywhere, but have yet to have a confrontation. In a week we will be camping for 2 weeks straight, while we dry caribou meat on willow wood racks. Our dogs are restless...knowing that this is the season they do the most work.

Some pics!

An old Salmonberry (cloudberry) pic....my most favorite berry. It's also the most delicate and hard to pick. After about 5 hours of picking my back went numb! I do offer a small hot processed portion of salmonberry jam (and other awesome sweets) in my store: Salmonberry Origins
We often pick the tundra in groups, and here is a picture of a couple of kids that were with us, exploring and entertaining themselves. I appreciate the parents that require that their kids bring nothing electronic when they are 'out'....

We always watch for bears....cause if you think about it....we are gathering the same foods as they are.

Quick pics.....

Wolves and Mothers

As Inupiaq People, we have a special connection with wolves.

We see them as equals, a fellow predator that uses wits and wiles to to feed our respective families. We both wander the tundra searching for the life that the caribou bring. We both know what it is like to rely on another animal for sustenance.

We as Inupiaq also have a special bond with the wolf. The scent of wolf fur is one of the First memories. A memory that is closely tied with the smell of Mother. A scent closely tied with the scent of love and safety and warmth. When a Inupiaq is presented with a wolf pelt, more often than naught they will bring it to their nose and inhale the scent, or maybe they will ruffle the long furs to release it into the air. Generation after generation of Inupiaq Mothers have carried their infants on their backs, surrounded by the Wolf.

This post goes out to the Wolf, and to our Mothers. Forever entwined.

Knee update and pics!

I feel as if my mind will never pace itself. I jump from idea to idea, adventure to adventure, and place to amazing place, reveling in the experience of that specific moment. And it seems as I get older I try to cram more and more into the time given to me. I wish younger people would take heed.

For those wondering, my knee surgery went very well. It was a quick day surgery type of thing, where they rolled me in one side and out the other, groggy and grumpy. My husband and brother were there, alternating between pampering me and giggling at my stupor as was needed. The pain was very minimal, of which I could not decide if it was because it wasn't that big of a surgery or if my tolerance for pain was increased due to old age and many previous bumps. The doc did inform me that I cannot take up running and that I have arthritis, and that I should keep tundra walking to a minimum. I scowled at him for a moment. I think I growled a bit too. In the end we agreed to both be cautious.

After a couple of weeks of very frustrating and mind numbing recovery I finally can safely go about exploring again. In celebration, nature has decided she missed Winter. It snowed heavy all day the day before yesterday and continues to pour down a very cold and wet rain today. Even so we still did a bit of fishing, glad that at least a few million of mosquitoes must have died in the flash freeze.

The theme of this post is: The doc told me I can't run so now I will take up soap making/candle making/ and possibly print a book of the local fauna as over compensation....

I will also be trying to do a weekly giveaway on my facebook page CLICK HERE so if you have facebook add my page and get a great opportunity to try some stuff out :)

Pictures!

One of my teas I now offer in my store...this one is a healing tisane made with caribou weed, labrador tea and other yummy healthy herbs. It gets its bright color from hibiscus flowers I added. click for more: Salmonberry Origins
A plant/flower I'm trying to identify.

The flowers bloom in waves here.

A weird combination of snow and vibrant springtime green.