Full Moon Ceremony

Tonight I was able to attend my first Full Moon Ceremony.  This is a traditional ceremony for women held outside around a campfire and under the full moon.  Without getting into details it is a time of prayer and healing and was a very comfortable ceremony for me.

I don't think of myself as a very spiritual person, but in a natural setting and thinking about the people and things that are most important to me, I feel very moved and connected.  Maybe I was a Native person in a past life.  The traditions, legends, and ceremonies have always facinated me.

I look forward to the next full moon ceremony.  Anything that involves the great out doors and a campfire has to be good for the soul!

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

After such an unseasonably warm fall, this past week was quite a rude awakening.  Wednesday we woke up here to -17C weather with a windchill of -30C. A bit of an adjustment after the +10 or higher temperatures the week before.

On these crisp mornings the sun glistens off the snow covered path and the frost on the long grass is almost magical. After so much mud during the fall the clean blanket of snow is a welcome sight.  Thank goodness for warm winter clothing!

Welcome to Northmart

In a recent conversation with my sister she asked what the store I'm working in looks like.  I hadn't thought about posting any interior shots but I know some of you are wondering where the heck I'm spending my time.

I'm very lucky with location I'm at right now; its a  fairly new store and very large for a store this far North.  I think I'm a bit spoiled since in four months time, when I'm finished my training, I will likely be in a much smaller and older store. 

Here are a few interior shots to give you a taste for where I am...no pun intended!

Random Encounter

Even though the path from my house to the store is only the length of a football field at the most and it is in the middle of town, I often expect to see dogs, ravens, eagles, maybe even a bear (since I have to pass the garbage trailer at the back of the store).  I did not however, expect this morning's encounter.  I was half way along the path and watching the ground for slippery/muddy spots when I looked up and was confronted with two horses.  They were just sauntering along the path, eating the grass. 

I thought if I just continued along the way I was going they would move away...not so, I patted the face of the first horse and considered walking between him and the fence but quickly reconsidered.  The second horse was right behind the first and being at the rear end of a horse (in case he got startled) was probably not the wisest place to be.  Needless to say it was me who trudged through the grass.

I was surprised that my coworkers thought I was rather brave to get that close to a horse let alone pet it.  I guess I can thank my Sunshine Coast horse sitting experience last year for my new found bravery with these big animals.

On a side note, for my more nervous friends, they have never seen a bear in town let alone behind the store.

Go With the Flow

Part of living in the North, or so I've been told, is being able to go with the flow.  "Stuff" happens...Yesterday I got to experience that first hand. 

I live across the street from the Band Hall, where they hold many "Socials". The night before last there was a wedding in town and thus a Social afterwards.  Just like back home, the washrooms see a lot of action during these events.  Unfortunately the sewer system has a few issues and even more unfortunate is my location on the line...the low point and a basement apartment. 

I discovered yesterday that the combination of these four components do not end well for me.  I woke up to plumbing issues, which quickly escalated to back up in my bathtub and toilet (the low points in my apartment).

As Richard, my Store Manager, frantically located someone to pump out the sewer line, I was my own "One woman Bucket brigade".  After several hours and roughly 40 or 50 buckloads I managed to save my apartment from a very huge mess and in the process guaranteed a lovely green lawn come spring.  I'm just sorry I won't be around at that point to reap the rewards.

Hmmm, I guess what they say about business is true for accomodations too.
Location, location, location!