Monday Morning Musings

Posted on November 4, 2019 under Monday Morning Musings with 4 comments

Kangiqsujuaq, Quebec

 

“Go west, young man.” Horace Greeley.

Been there. Done that.

“Go north, old man.” Len MacDonald

Northern reflections.

No. I’m not about to open a women’s apparel store in the north but I am heading north in a few days- Kangiqsujuaq in Northern Quebec to be exact. The region is called Nunavik, not to be confused with Nunavut which is the newest, largest and most northerly territory in Canada. I have accepted a teaching position in this small, Inuit community. It would take far too long to explain how this all came about. I’ll include this in a book I’m certain that I’ll write about the experience.

I can tell you that the inspiration for this came from award winning teacher, Maggie MacDonnell who demonstrated that one person truly can make a difference in the lives of others. I do not expect to be able to fill her impossibly large shoes but I will do my best.

I can just hear some of you wondering “Why does he do these crazy things?” I ask myself the same thing. I guess it’s because I can. I am young (!) and in good health and there’s so much to see and learn about this wonderful world in which we live. I plan to go and listen and learn and immerse myself in a completely different culture. With such a rich, oral tradition, I am very excited and looking forward to hearing the stories of the elders, and with their permission, sharing them with you.

I know this is not going to be easy. It’s easy to do easy things. Doing hard things takes a certain amount of courage but the rewards are often great. The only worse thing than trying and failing, is not trying. The problems in the north are well documented. In case you missed it, I wrote a piece a week ago about the plight of indigenous people. https://www.week45.com/monday-morning-musings-320/

Of course, my loyal readers will get to experience a new place vicariously through my writing and pictures.

Some of my friends are puzzled because I have stated openly on more than one occasion my dislike for winter. There is a lot of truth to this but I guess I don’t like what our winters have become. Not everyone believes in climate change but back in the dark ages (the 50s and 60s), winter was winter. The snow would come in November and stay until spring. Days were sunny and it was cold. I don’t ever recall it raining in the winter back then. The last number of winters have brought frequent freezes and thaws making it dangerous for walking for old geezers like me. I expect the north to have real winters and I plan to enjoy what this has to offer. At least that’s what I’m saying today!

I will travel home for Christmas and hope to do a book signing at the 5 to $1.00 before the arrival of Santa. Anyone who desperately wants a signed book now will have to get in touch with me today. I only have 13 books remaining from the first run. There are still some left at the 5 to $1.00 and I have placed an order for a second shipment.

Don’t panic if Thursday Tidbits doesn’t show up on your FB feed, e-mail, Twitter or other platforms on Thursday. I haven’t been eaten by a polar bear! That is supposed to be my first day in the classroom and I will be traveling the day before.

While there is a certain level of anxiety heading into the unknown, I will be accompanied by my lifelong friend, my guitar. Music has bailed me out of many difficult situations in the past and I expect it to deliver the goods again as I embark on this journey of discovery.

Are you ready to travel with me again?

Have a great week.