FIFTY YEARS of Blowing in the Wind

Happy Birthday to our Flag...some fifty years young yesterday.

Raised first on February 15, 1965 on Parliament Hill after the red ensign had been lowered at noon in Ottawa

Wow...hard to believe it...for it seems like, not so long ago, we had this major rift and the designs were all over the map. What we settled on, was not what was originally proposed, or even roughly thought about initially. We have survived...my, how we have survived. And what a nice flag it is. It's still a very clean and crisp design, fifty years later. I didn't always feel this way.

I was a newsboy, then, in the early sixties. Lester B. Pearson was a new Prime Minister having defeated John Diefenbaker from out west in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Pearson lead the Liberals as they won the election in the spring of 1963. John G. Diefenbaker had lost over a number of issues. The cancellation of the AVRO ARROW had cost thousands of jobs in the aerospace industry with brightest of those folk heading to Florida to work with NASA to form a nucleus of the U.S. Space program. Then there was the failure to allow/disallow the BOMARC atomic bomb missiles into Canada from our neighbour to the south. The waffling got the better of him.

Perhaps, you've heard of the Diefenbunker, built deep in the ground, outside Ottawa, to shield top national leaders in the event of a nuclear attack. This was a time of extreme cold war politics, the Cuban missile crisis and U.S. ship embargo surrounding Cuba, hoping to prevent the delivery of Russian missiles. The U-2 photos recon photos showing the silos that were already under construction. Civil Defence drills with us kids having to go into the central halls of schools for drills where we would line up or sit quietly on the floors or huddle under our desks (as if that was really going to reduce our injuries). The yellow air raid sirens that were put up in strategic points in St. Catharines...one being just off the north side off the Connaught schoolyard where I attended until June of '63.. Another was installed on Queenston street near the Kernahan Park baseball diamonds...with a third that I remeber down near York and Carlton, I think.

“Diefenbaker appointed the first female minister in Canadian history to his cabinet as well as the first aboriginal member of the Senate. During his six years as Prime Minister, his government obtained passage of the Canadian Bill of Rights and granted the vote to the First Nations and Inuit peoples.”* (*Courtesy Wikipedia).

Carrying the six-day-a-week late edition of the St. Catharines Standard, owned by the Burgoyne family, you became familiar with all the front page news as you biked or walked your route depending upon the weather. Sometimes it was late arriving as the early edition cylinders on the presses had been changed to update a late-breaking story. That usually brought the ire of some of your customers as their papers hadn't been received “on time”.

My route had cost me $17.50 and I had bought it from Ricky Weaver's older brother who lived on Ida Street near the General Hospital on Queenston Street. In those days, you paid 50 cents for each customer on your route and had a contract that you signed with the Standard and the carrier. When I left the newspaper business a few years later, I had built the route to around a steady 96 customers (sometimes we had up to 105). More importantly, I had not purchased any additional customers. Just providing good prompt delivery combined with a dry paper was the key. The rest was good people skills which took some guts and learning at the age of 11. Slowly, over time, people switched to me as I built the business. I delivered for almost 5 years.

I first tried to get their names for my collection book...not just their address. I called them by name...they responded and treated me well especially with my tips at Christmas time. ...I only had a couple of times that they didn't pay or moved out without notifying me. I was under contract with the Standard and had to pay for each paper whether I had collected eventually or not. Cash...35 cents a week. On a week with a stat holiday the price was reduced by 7 cents....then it climbed to 40 and a new section was added on Saturday that made it 42. That new section had to be manually inserted by the carriers...and we were given an extra penny per paper for that trouble. It also made the paper

Paint it solid red...add "The St. Catharines Standard" in Old English lettering

heavier to carry and many times delayed the 4 p.m. weekday drop-off from the big, red, square box delivery vans similar to what UPS or FEDEX uses today.

Trucks, with drivers and tossers on board, would be lined up on William Street awaiting their deposit of papers as they came off the press room, were counted, bundled, and labelled for each carrier. Yes, each vehicle had a driver and a tosser. No seat belts, as they drove with the sliding doors wide open. The tosser standing by the open door hanging onto a handle for support after getting his next toss readied from the back of the truck while it was moving.

At each stop, a series of bundles of newspapers would be thrown by the side of the road, as the driver would cross the street to deliver a batch to the local variety store along the way. If there was no coner store the truck pulled to the curb and hardly stopped as the bundles sometimes rolled to a stop. At Christmas, you might have two or more bundles as the extra advertising swelled the size of the paper. Wednesdays usually had a larger paper as well with the grocery ads.

What am I leading to? In those days, we got our news primarily from a news paper. Sure local AM radio stations had their major newscasts at eight, noon, five or six and eleven...but anything with “in depth” coverage began with the newsprint manufactured either in Thorold South by the Ontario Paper or, in Merritton, at the Alliance Paper mills (although they specialized in more fine papers than newsprint). A lot of ink and paper were used to vent. LETTERS TO THE EDITORS abounded daily.

People were set in their ways. They had gone to three major wars under the Union Jack and Red Ensign and were not about to pledge allegiance to another. It was our Canadian Civil War. Families and members of families at loggerheads. What would be accepted...Union Jack vs. Red Ensign or a totally new design were the options.

Wave the flag proudly...a 50 year old classic.

Colour, style, intricate or modern, stripes or solids, vertical or horizontal, emblem or shield...wow, the list went on and so did the debate by ALL CANADIANS...young and old.

Next Up: THE FLAG FLAP

DAY THREE: It's About People

Having gotten in a little early for work on Friday, I decided to check out the bulletin and notice boards in the Health Center. The problem today is that with emails, PDF's and all manner of spam...the notice boards are not what they once were. They disseminated information. They were a meeting place for people, where actual discussions took place and opinions were voiced...and not a messaging forward or texting thing to be read and, perhaps, not completely understood. People took pride in how they arranged their posted information for all to see.

I see some of that pride here. For the present, I don't know who is responsible but there are some neat notices and some well thought out educational materials displayed. Even better, it's labelled in both Inuktitut and English...sometimes French as well. Even in the arena last night, there were huge

Last year's Miltiary Operation in the Arctic in February

banners educating about the flu bug...hand washing and other prevention methods...both banners completely written in two of Nunavut's 3 official languages. Other signs printed in all 3.

Friday was my first full day at the Centre. We had no cases booked from other communities. I found out later why. They don't like to book elective examinations on a friday in case the patients get snowbound in Rankin Inlet. They prefer to get them in and out same day. So next week will be catch up week for “THE SPINES OF THE NORTH” since Marie is not certified for spine or skull work and there is some backlog since the previous xray tech left a week ago.

After some discussion with Marie and Lavinia (who I worked with before as the LAB/XRAY clerk and right hand man) we have set a goal and are working to clearing those awaiting service. Arviat, Baker Lake, Whale Cove, Repulse Bay and Chesterfield Inlet residents will be flying in to have their

KIVALLIQ is one of three distinct reions of Nunavut Territory

xrays and then flying back home. Their films will be sent out to the Radiology group in Winnipeg and reports will be emailed to us with the films returning later. Extremities and Chests are handled at those settlements, but spines take more that a portable machine to accomplish diagnostic quality images.Yes, you heard correctly, we are still using film.

Lavinia and her sister, do the bookings and coordinate with the medical travel office for those appointments...but again, they try to avoid fridays. Each friday, is a special day, in itself, as we are closed on the weekends, except for emergencies and the on-call nurse has our cell number readily available, if we are required. Marie has kindly offered to take call all weekend but I've left her my cell number in case she needs something rather than having to “medivac” any patients. Yes, friday is also known as coffee “half and half day”.

Getting the tickets ready for the half and half.

We don't pay for our coffee and tea during our breaks here at the centre....It's certainly unique these days and works very well here. Tickets are sold with half the money going towards maintaining the necessary coffee funds and the winner is announced around 4 p.m. on friday afternoon. Hard to believe it, I didn't win...but I have five more chances!!!! Tickets go for $2 each and $5 for three...I bought five and considered it a bargain given the price of groceries here. Not sure who won...not someone I readily recognized...maybe a Susan or Suzie....but she walked out of here on friday afternoon with $116.00 in her pocket.

1 for $2 OR 3 for $5

That would certainly help anyone because this weekend is the big bingo double header for Valentine's day. Normally, friday is bingo night. You get to the recreation complex (no swimming pool here...that I know of...yet!) to get your cards. Then you take your cards home and listen on the radio for your numbers to be called. “RADIO BINGO”. Knowing the ingenuity of everyone here, speed dials are set to the number needed to collect...Marie told me she had won a considerable sum once. I won't divulge the amount, lest CRA demands an audit.

This Saturday is Valentine's Day and the pot grew as well..we are talking thousands of dollars here for the winners. Cards were $20 for friday's games..but the big one is on saturday and have the cards selling for $30. I think you get three cards to play all night but those details are not confirmed. I did ask if they called out the numbers in English or Inuktitut first, figuring I might have an edge if they did both (and english was first). I would still lose, these are VERY SERIOUS BINGO PEOPLE.

Before 1030 hours, I had also supported the Under 12 Boys Soccer League raffle...good thing 'cause when I got to the Northern tonight they were selling the tickets there as well. The drawing is March 29 and I should be south by then...but this is the north and things can change! Sam, from the Health Centre has willingly offered his services to get the first prize home should I win it or store it for me til the next time I'm here (LOL). We have started to discuss the logistics but he seems quite serious that it can be done anytime til the end of April at least to Winnipeg.

The prizes are listed...I'll just have to pay to ship them home...as well, other topics in the news this week.

Fifth prize is an XBOX ONE and I don't have one (yet) so that would be nice. Fourth prize isn't bad either

 Thursday in the Lobby of the "Polo Park" Holiday Inn

as it's a PLAY STATION 4. I don't have one of these. The third prize is an “ESKIMO ICE AUGER”. I don't have one of these either. Second prize is a 58” SAMSUNG TV and SONY HOME THEATRE SYSTEM...again, so far, not in my house. I got a 32” Toshiba...and if won, we'd have to re-decorate...perhaps we'll pass on this one. The GRAND PRIZE that Sam is convinced that either he, or I, will win is a brand new 2011 YAMAHA BRAVO snow machine ...probably similar to the one that was in the Holiday Inn Polo Park location lobby in Winnipeg. Sam is convinced we can get Jerry can drop zones organized all the way south. Maybe we've been watching too much Arctic Air....cause I sort of agreed it could be done. BUT....then...with that tag-a-long sled loaded down with provisions and gas and.....ice remaining on all the lakes......hey...

You get a lot of dreaming for $10 up here....and you'll never see that on a 649 commercial down south.

Next Up: FIFTY YEARS OF BLOWING IN THE WIND

The First Friday

On "approach" to YTR ... Rankin Inlet Airport

Well, its Friday and for me this work week is complete. Just like at the camera store, I've got my three days in...and the weekend awaits (unlike the camera store usually ...LOL). Today was my first full day at the Kivalliq Health Center here in Rankin Inlet. Yesterday, I had finally arrived from YWG (Winnipeg airport). My boss, Matt, had met me up at the airport, along with the driver from the centre, a young lad named Cyrus.

Flying into RANKIN INLET is the BAY known as HUDSON's

Cyrus helped me load my gear, from the luggage belt in the airport terminal waiting area, onto a cart (they are free here also). We manoeuvred past others, still waiting for theirs as friends and relatives are greeted or say good bye. My recently-arrived First Air BOEING 737-400 combi

was purging cargo and the newly-readied pallets were being loaded to complete the cycle as it would be taking off again shortly...as jets do everywhere. Fluffy's Taxis were there...two, in fact. The guy driving one, let's say I wouldn't want to call him “fluffy”.

Activity on my FIRST AIR 737 Thrusday at 2

Rankin Inlet...on the ground...was cold but was a beautiful sunny bright day with a minimal of cloud cover and the bluest of skies. Cyrus managed the luggage cart across the paved parking lot. 'Twas not easy, in fact, the cart had its own intentions. The packed snow provided a base, but the weight and the wheels combined to make it have a mind of its own...as it proceeded in its own direction. With the van finally loaded, we head off to my accommodations. Across snow covered roads, the sun blazing down (no actual heat but blazing just sounds so descriptive when its -38C).

Roadwork in Area 6 coming from the airport

We are detoured. Yes, here in Area 6 of Rankin Inlet, there was road construction in mid-February. We are detoured by a front end loader and a grater clearing snow drifts along the street. The Caterpillars are making great progress pushing the accumulated and drifted snow into piles on vacant land, well off the street. I think that Boston would love to have this much free space between buildings right now. Cyrus makes a left...then another couple of turns and “likity split”, we are here at the Health Center, another turn and we have arrived to unload at my destination.

The rampway into my housing

It's home...for the next few weeks. The building is snow covered. The steps and ramp have been recently cleared, a shovel still at the ready. The sign is mostly obliterated by past winds and the driving snow from the day before. My gear is stacked well past the entrance way as I'm greeted by Diane, the “house mother”. I bid Cyrus “adieu” and thank him for his help knowing it won't be the last in these next six weeks, as I'll be moving again...before my contract is over.

Looking northwest from my housing

I sign the necessary papers and get my access card...and then begin the job of carting and carrying the comforts of home I've brought along. I get to my room on the second (top) floor and look out my triple glazed windows as the sun begins its decent across the barren and snow covered field to my left. I start to open my luggage and begin to sort my

gear and provisions...and the finally the job of organizing my arctic accommodations.

Thinking back seven years to “the barn”, I've come along way baby. This is certainly a nice spot...very nice indeed. I put the necessary items in the fridge, stow some clothes and other necessities, and make sense of my surroundings. It's now 2:30 and I want to get to the Health Center. I was to start work this morning but was delayed by mechanical issues with our aircraft in Winnipeg. I want to make an appearance, get my bearings and meet the staff there.

My place of employment--The KIVALLIQ REGIONAL HEALTH CENTRE

For the short “jaunt” across the road and parking lot, I gather my coat, mitts, toque, snow pants, boots and all and enter the front door of KIVILLAQ REGIONAL HEALTH CENTER. The back door is for staff, and although I'm one for two shifts now, I don't have the number codes....AND ITS TOO DAMNED COLD TO HAVE TO WALK AROUND THE ENTIRE BUILDING!!!!

Entering the “mud room” (or is it the snow room here?), I swing open the next door. Memories begin flooding back as I recognize many of the staff...they don't me...but I know them. I've always had trouble remembering names, at the best of times, this is no different. I was here for less than a month last time, January 2008, so its understandable that their impressions of me, at that time, may not have been everlasting. We'll fix that now.

I mention the burst pipes, first in the xray room and then,less that a week later, over the front entrance. This they remember, You begin to see familiarity on their faces...as they tell me those weren't the only ones that year. I turn right and make my way into xray...it's like I never left. There, seated in a chair at the office, is Marie, my cohort. I recognize her and re-introduce myself as Marie and I had only met briefly on my last escapade here.

She had taken a snow machine from home after her flight had landed that Monday during our record breaking blizzard in 2008. Her husband had driven her into the building so she could sign my Nunavut Territorial flag before I was to leave that Monday. All the other staff had signed and at the time, I felt privileged that she had made the journey (from home...in the blowing snow) after just returning from her leave (her flight had been one of only three that had been able to land that day). I was there for a few more days 'til the blizzard finally subsided.

The setting sun of my first afternoon of Trip #2 to Rankin Inlet

So Day Two was in the books as we left at five having done a couple of patients but mostly administrative and orientation....the meet and greet, getting my passwords, and key codes. Time to leave. The getting ready for my two minute trek across the tundra. The sun had set. The day was done.

NEXT UP: DAY THREE: It's About People

C-YRT

Confused by the Title? Don't be. It's not your local rock, AM or FM station. Don't confuse it with YYZ, of which you may well be more familiar with. Perhaps you know YUL or in my case, more recently, YWG. You probably solve the mystery, a bit, when I mention JFK.

Now, your grey cells definitely recognized that last one. In 1964, it was changed from New York International Airport, established in 1948 (most commonly known as Idlewild Airport until '63). The next year it became John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) honouring that recently slain president by the FAA in the U.S.

Leaving YYZ on Wednesday morning

YYZ is officially known as the Lester B. Pearson International Airport (formerly Malton) since it was located there. In Montreal, YUL (originally DORVAL) is known by the Pierre Elliot Trudeau monicker. Recently, I became familiar with YWG. The James Armstrong Richardson International Airport in Winnipeg is named after an influential businessman and pioneer of Canadian commercial aviation from that city.

It was designated as Canada's first INTERNATIONAL airport in1958. Originally, it opened in 1928 as Stevenson Aerodrome to honour a Manitoba aviator and pioneer bush pilot, Captain Fred J. Stevenson. Seven years ago, when I was last here is was smallish, busy, and fairly compact. It's changed. The new terminal completely

It was much more snowy & colder than its Welcome sign

Inside "Departures" Level

replaced the old, which has since been demolished. Arrivals and departures are on different levels now.

Being the eighth busiest in Canada, it serves as a hub for some regional cargo and passenger services. One is Calm Air (with whom I flew north with 7 years ago). This time of year, with the outside temps in the low 20's (this is Winnipeg we're talking....in February...minuses don't count..but they are very much understood), there are many flights to Mexico, the DR (Domincan Republic), and Cuba being announced throughout my time here. People want to leave town. The airport is busy.

Flights to Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Yellowknife, Vancouver, Toronto and other canadian destinations are announced overhead. I became quite comfortable in those surroundings as I arrived, waited, cancelled, rebooked, checked out with my baggage(S), stayed overnight, returned to the airport, checked in once again and went through security a second time.

A jet has replaced the CALM AIR turbo prop I flew in January 2008

This time, I was a “victim”...of CATSA (The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority...the security staff...as they scanned my computer, my camera, my lenses, my e-reader, and my carry-on and MY PERSONAL BAG (You are allowed one carry-on plus one personal bag). Now I had been through all this in Toronto and as a passenger these days you expect these procedures. You take off your heavy coat and put it in a tray. Similar with your wallet, change purse, belt and any other removable items, empty your pockets...into another bin. These days your shoes or boots, those you can leave on....for now anyways.

You know you are in trouble when the operator of the xray machine scanning your “trays” calls over a co-worker and the belt moves back and forth a few times as they scan and re-scan and then you shudder to the announcement “Who's bag is this?” Knowing, that I was clean...I gulped...quietly raised my hand and echoed from my lungs...a weak “here?”.

“I'LL HAVE TO INSPECT!!!!”...“no problem”....“ANY SHARP OBJECTS?” as they stared at my carry-on....while under my breath “just my wit”, out loud it sounded like a weak but emphatic “no”. The case is unzipped. In front of everyone, heading to destinations everywhere, my life is dissected as the search begins in earnest. Straight to the shaving kit. No diversion...objective plainly in sight..it's now being opened. The offending article is raised for all to see...could the stainless steel bracelets be next? Will my name be added to the NO FLY listing? Am I being profiled as a white, canadian-born, north american male above the age of sixty...with an over 100 year old direct tie to the UK? I'm beginning to feel this, even though my parents had never warned me that it could happen.

I shrink at the thought that, I, travelling north to a small hamlet to help fulfill a medical need, could have committed the ultimate terrorist act, to date, in Canada's Arctic. I could have affected the entire north (those 1500 kilometers between Winnipeg and Rankin Inlet)...could have contributed to decades of contamination of a province AND a territory. My method, if not foiled, would have been quite easy and one that most had, previously, not thought about...using the deadly....STANUS FLORIDE...cavity preventing as well.....all with the help of my toxic tube of Crest toothpaste. “Yes I'm sorry eh?” “Oh? It should have been under 100 ml.?” “IS THERE AYNONE YOU CAN LEAVE IT WITH?” Under my breath again...”it's not in our Will”.

After an explanation of my options, I announce out loud “No, I'll surrender it to you”. Off it goes. Me and my "friends" from CATSA part company, once again.

Use it well...Grasshopper! 

And the YRT....you guessed right! It's
RANKIN INLET. 

The replacement tube tonight at the Northern...130 ml for $4.19

(AGAIN) A NEW DAY DAWNS

Yesterday, the two a.m. wake up was expected as I was set to head to Pearson Airport in Toronto. What wasn't was the Lincoln Navigator at 3:30 as a means of transport to the airport. That comfort was short-lived as we stopped in St. Catharines for another passenger, then on to Ridley College. I was a little to early...and a few years late for either the Upper or Lower schools. We were there to pick up two more passengers enroute to Pearson.

They were heading off home for their mid-semester break of one week. One was heading to the Bahamas, maybe both. I thought warmth....for a fleeting moment as we then transferred into the mini-bus at vineland transfer, airport bound. The cold airport, the heavy luggage...reality set in, once again.

Catching some ZZZZZ's along the way, we arrived at Terminal 2 ?? 3 and as were were all for AIR CANADA, we disembarked and parted our separate ways. Ships in the night.....

This morning we are trying again to get north. In case you missed it, we had some delays yesterday of a mechanical nature. That lead, eventually, to a full cancellation. We were rebooked, provided meal and hotel vouchers...arrangements were made to try the next day...and we are here awaiting.

First in line for today's Check In

Yesterday I offered my services telling them that I'd been flying for the past few years now and have considerable experience in aircraft maintenance and repair. They seemed genuinely interested in my story when I mentioned that, of course, I've worked on smaller planes. I continued by telling them that every time we crash, we put things back together with CA glue and kicker or epoxy. That brought strange looks upon their faces.

I think at that point they must have wondered literally how much glue fumes I'd inhaled along the way. And finally, I got their attention by mentioning that flying from the ground was more difficult that being really in the air. When I showed them by MODEL AERONAUTICS ASSOCIATION OF CANADA (MAAC) membership card, they realized that my small aircraft were indeed that...and radio controlled from the ground. (The previous two paaragraphs are used without permission from the new Brain Williams book “STORIES I'VE MADE UP” due out in the next 6 months with good behaviour).

The hotel was a holiday in in POLO PARK right across the street from LEON'S FURNITURE (who

All set ...ready to go today!

started in Welland) and just about a half mile from a Target. I was not needing furniture and even the “at UP TO 30% savings” didn't interest me as I am already overweight on my luggage(s). The evening was spent catching up on my blogs snapping some shots around the hotel...and getting some rest. If I had packed my bathing suit, I could have gone for a swim. I guess that I could have gone to Target and got one, but then it would be wet to pack and frozen solid by the time I got to Rankin Inlet.

Yesterday's cancellation ballet

This morning, a new day dawned, once again with temps of -23 here in WINTERPEG. The winds have diminished and the cloud cover is quite high..no blowing snow today. The flight crew has just arrived. We either have two females in the cockpit and a male flight attendant, or another combination. The sun has been poking out through the cloud cover. The covers are off the air scoops of the jet engines and the cargo loading has begun. There is a hive of activity from catering to ground crew. So perhaps with only 45 minutes to departure, its time for the snow overpants, the Sorel boots, and time to pack the laptop away. Gate 15 awaits.

God speed...John Glenn.....

WELCOME to WINNERPEG, WINTERPEG er...WINNIPEG!

Left Pearson this morning on AC259 on time, after a horrendous cattle call through security. The electronic posting said 30-40 minutes but it was longer....when you got closer to the entryway area, there was a mediator who asked what was the boarding time on your ticket and then bumped you ahead of the others. (MEMO TO BOB: BRING YOUR NEXUS). Made it to the gate with a whopping 10 minutes to go. There were others that boarded after me...there was good news, for, after departing the screening area and exiting the down escalator I started looking around for Gate D31.

For this first time in my life it was the next gate right in front of the escalator...about 50 yards straight ahead. That's why I made the plane before the doors were slammed shut. Luggage loaded, we taxied

out and took off...the sky slightly overcast with the sun trying to break through. At 8:50 local and 36,000 feet above Sault Ste. Marie I enjoyed one of Air Canada's best breakfast sandwiches. There must be a reason that they have been recently voted top North American airline for the forth year in a row. I would hate to think what the cuisine on those other carriers must be like, for them to keep winning. But, the crew was great and the pilot made up 10 minutes.

The short 40 minute layover connection to my First Air flight at 1030 north to Rankin Inlet had grown by 10. Now after talking to people who have travelled to Rankin Inlet since my last visit 7 years ago, I knew that the airport had been completely rebuilt. With less than an hour to find the right gate and check-in there, I was a little panicked. Again the travel gods were smiling. Not 50 feet, this time, from the door exiting Gate 11 where we landed...was the gate I was looking for. FIRST AIR flight 300.

The gods quickly frowned when the BEARSKIN AIR girl behind the counter told me that FIRST AIR were in an Equipment Delay until 12:30 and quickly added that First Air would buy my lunch today ...or at least give me $12.00 towards it. I sat down to get my bearings and asked her a few other questions. Yes, the voucher was good at any of the restaurants behind security but you could also go out and return through it again but she apologized warning me it might take UP TO 20 minutes and plan to be back for noon. I looked across the fifty feet and there was a LCD screen begging me to return to Toronto in short order.

Outside, it was heavy cloud cover with some snow coming down, but there was blowing snow everywhere. I looked back at and forth between the two gates and finally decided to get some grub because this might go on all day, given the current weather. I gazed out through the glass and found the First Air 737 with the ground crew loading cargo into the upper deck, right in front of seat 11A (which is mine Window seat the first row after the upper deck cargo.

I didn't want to chance more line-ups in security, so I decided to forego Stella's, I dined with the UPPER CRUST (sorry not “with” but “at”), just across from the Prairie Bistro, watching the security

The Upper Crust ...Great Baguettes... Fresh baked as needed!

here work their magic with smaller numbers. This new airport is gorgeous...wow...you wouldn't believe what it is like. Large glass, spacious areas, clean, quiet...well, pick all four. Behind the security, in the gate areas, there is shopping, several nice restaurants and that was on my end only.

Remember, it's roll-up time across Canada. There is a Starbucks, and a Tim's there...quite a distance apart..as were their coffees. But now, with Dark Roast at one and a lighter blend at so can load it in to my online game. I won a $25 gift card on day 3 of the current run. I'm a major prize winner!!! That's a story for another day...right now..the snow is still blowing but the sun has made a strong appearance and the skies are clear.

Across the seating is the Prairie Bistro

the other those differences are starting to mellow. The lineup at Tim's was very Canadian...quiet, patient, all in a straight line. Above the crowd scrolled the roll-up info...both in FRRRRRRench and English...telling the virtues of winning by in-store and online! I got the number for today

I texted Matt and left a couple of messages about the delay because as “no luck” would have it...we are further delayed now til 1 p.m. Off come the snow pants for a second time and off come the Sorel boots since we are not going outside in the near term. A couple of the Inuks decided to leave the area, leave security and head back outside to have a smoke.

FIRST AIR...The early stages of maintenance and loading of upper deck cargo

They are not back when the announcement is made “Ladies and Gentlemen information regarding the First Air flight #300 to Rankin Inlet recently scheduled for a delayed departure of 1 p.m. is now cancelled. The silence is deafening. Disappointment grows as further instruction are given. Now the lineup starts...and my thoughts are back to February 2011...West Palm Beach airport and the cancellation after multiple delays of our Direct Air flight back to Niagara Falls...we got home the next day but many didn't as the airline went bankrupt.

The difference here is that because it was NOT weather related and WAS DUE TO a mechanical

The early morning swirling snow in Winnpeg at the UPS depot

FIRST AIR working to get us going...the sun had come out nicely!

issue, the airline, FIRST AIR, is arranging accommodation overnight at the Holiday Inn...and with a meal voucher allowance as well. Well, standing in line I hear all kinds of stories. Some of the Inuit have been discharged from the hospital here in town and were on their way home, either directly to Rankin Inlet or to other communities nearby. Some are heading tonight back to the Kivalliq Native Centre for their special diet and accommodations. Some are staying in town with friends.

And the rest of us are just partying....not. The couple with the two week old baby are heading back to Arviat...just not today. We gather by one of three luggage carousels as we have to reclaim all our

The sun came out and made the ceiling gorgeous

luggage. I look at the new mom and ask where's the baby. She calmly smiles and points behind her head..The amauti...I forgot about about the amauti...the “papoose”as we used to say, Yet another story for another blog.

While awaiting the shuttle, one person tells of being delayed by weather last year daily for 5 days...and the airlines weren't responsible (because it was weather related). We further discover that there are 4 Holiday Inns here in Winterpeg. Who knew??? Which one is coming...which one are we booked for...on closer inspection, there are two right near the airport. No one stays outside long in -20 to wait for the shuttle but it soon comes. Transported by the hotel shuttle,we check in....and now we get to do it all over again tomorrow.

Baby “J” and her proud parents are resting tonight here at the hotel and we are all re-booked for tomorrow's 10:30 to Rankin Inlet . Well, I'm about to check that out. For me, from 2 a.m this morning 'til now, it's been a long day and like Baby “J” I'm not there yet either.

Going...going...GONE !!!!

The past six weeks have been most interesting...Hectic? Definitely, but interesting just the same. On a Friday, just two weeks before Christmas, I got Matt's email. I called that monday to answer an S.O.S. And here it is, with a few days to go, before my return to Rankin Inlet.

The INUKSHUK along the Niagara River Parkway

I would be remiss if I were not to thank those individuals for the assistance in making this return to the Arctic possible. First, I have to thank the better half...for many things but mostly for her understanding and support....not just for this trip but for over 41 years of wedded bliss. She is my constant sound board...listening to many ideas, frustrations and thoughts. She is my gyroscope, my image stabilizer and my GPS...my rock, my hero and my lighthouse...all at once...so thanks.

It doesn't seem that long ago that I left SCGH after 37 years. The skills I learned in the early days from Tony and his techs have allowed this revisit to occur. Without the confidence building imparted by the staff, well let's face it..this opportunity would not be possible. Challenges still lie ahead, though.

Having just completed my tenth Christmas season at Henry's, this hiatus will give me a chance to refocus and an opportunity to apply some photographic skills while “up north”. So thanks to the crew and management in St. Catharines for covering for me for the next 6 weeks. Hopefully I didn't bore them with past stories and, with any luck, I hope there will be new ones which I'm sure that they will hear ad infinitum.

The multitude of well wishers that dropped a line, stopped by the store or left a message of encouragement were appreciated. Some had jokingly (or maybe not) questioned my sanity. Others simply asked if I had not had enough winter yet. There are many others that have helped make this possible....so consider this note a “thank you” to each of them. It would make this tale too long and I

would be sure to miss someone, for sure.

The "BIN"...all ready to pack.

The bags are almost packed. My bin is almost full and the list of things remaining to be done or picked up is getting shorter...THANK GOODNESS!!! The next couple of days will probably be a blur and go by VERY quickly. Before I know it, my  travel day will be here. A trip to Pearson Airport, the flight to Winnipeg...a dash to the connecting flight and the wings of FIRST AIR will have me safely arrived in Rankin Inlet, faster that you can say Inuktitut in English.

The weather is scheduled to be clear and sunny for my arrival The high a -36...the low -39...A warming trend is currently in the forecast for the rest of the week. Of course, that is just a forecast. I'll keep you posted or you can click on the weather link located in the blog. The most that you can expect from weather is...there will be change.

While previous experience provides us with a good foundation, new experiences are the fabric of life...even when the temperatures outside are a bit cool....you simply dress for it.

"THIS IS YOUR CAPTAIN SPEAKING, WELCOME TO..."
 To be continued...

First Air 737 loading the upper deck cargo area in January 2008