Friday, Nov 4th,2005

School is over for another week. Friday can be a long hard day. So often the students are too tired to work. Yesterday was a pay day so many in the village were up late. The sun has dipped behind the mountain, it is snowing again and I need my cup of tea.

This morning I watched two young children run down the hill for Marc's breakfast programme. Marc, a teacher, has set up a breakfast and lunch for the kids in the village that have little or no food at home. He does it all on his own time...he begs, borrows and steals( well not really) the food. He averages 55 for both meals. He has been given a budget from the village but it does not cover their needs. Marc goes to the different construction companies in late Oct "asking' for a donation of their left over food when they break camp for the winter.

I go to help serve at lunch time. It is a good time to mix with the kids that I don't teach. Hot dog day is popular with us all. Marc makes great soups... it is a real fishes and loaves story.... and when you see the little ones running down the hill at 7;33 in the morning in -30degree weather, windy, snowy you know they need the food. marc is a saint.

Last night I made a patch of salt cod fish cakes. My Dad suggested I try making them with instant potatoes. Potatoes are heavy, expensive to buy here and they always look like a boxer had used them for a punching bag. They turned out pretty good. Not as good as Mum's but they were alot better than no fish cakes at all. I put the summer savoury in the milk. I also used Pam instead of oil to fry them... I have my 40th high school reunion coming up so I am trying to get slim...slimmer.

I do miss the tastes and smells of home. The fall harvest is one thing I miss. I saw Howard Dill on CBC Hallowe'en day . Oh to see a field of pumpkins...to go apple picking .. to stop at the farm markets. I miss it all.

My parents sent up a box of dried flowers, cedar and pine for wreath making with Christmas coming up. Also 4 lovely potatoes, an onion and a turnip. The stores do have veggies and fruit but they are often in bad shape and very expensive. The last turnip I bought was $4.76. Once I went in the store and they were priced under a dollar so I bought them all. Then I gave them to Marc and Gladys and other teachers. That also happened with frozen turkeys. They were so inexpensive I bought several and then had to carry them home.. a 15 minute walk. A labour of love. One lady came out of her home and told me since I was an older teacher, I was eligible to use the Inuit Elders vechile. I did not know whether to be pleased that she thought of me as part of the village or to be insulted that she thought me that old. Since I have white hair they are convinced I am very very old, not just old.

I must go home for my tea. We had an easy week but yet I am tired.
I hope this finds you all well.
Pearl