Uksuqpak nengllirtuq sla: "The weather's been cold this winter"

Looking from my house towards the slough.

In much of November, December, and January, the elders let us know that this is the longest coldest winter they've had in many decades. Last year I remember every once in a while the thermometer would drop below -20 degrees. However, I've gotten used to -30 - -40 with extreme windchill for months now.

Henry, our loving elder.

When I asked Henry today what he thought of this winter he replied, "I didn't like it. It's too cold. Elders in the past used to tell us if the weather wants people to die, it gets really cold and let's them freeze. Elders used to say that to us when we were small. They told us to always let our parents know where we were going before we would leave." Henry says he knows of four people who have died from the cold this winter.

A few minutes later, Bill, our mayor came into the room and I asked him the same question. Bill said, "Wonderful winter! Good flood this year. Clean up the city." Bill and Henry reminisced about about the winters when they were kids. They said it was common for temperatures to be -50 to -60 and the ice on the river would be 5 to 6 feet thick. When they would go ice fishing, they'd need to dig holes with a larger opening at the top and a smaller hole at the bottom so they could get the ice shavings out and reach the water.

Our beautiful on/off ramp to the slough by my house.

Looking out my classroom window at a teacher's roof.

The evening sky is always beautiful while on my way out of school.

Looking at the ground from the air on the way back from Chevak.

Enjoying the afternoon sunshine with our shades.

A few days ago a storm brought the temperature up 70 degrees within 24 hours. It has stayed "warm" for awhile now and the kids and I are sweating in sweatshirts at below freezing temperatures. 

Looking at the melting snow and icicles.

I still love hearing the roar of a plane taking off.