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Masset Magic: Wicked weather and a drink to remember

Masset Magic: Wicked weather and a drink to remember

By Jana McLeod

After being in the big city for the last week I feel so thankful for our communities. We ran into a freak snow storm and had to wait just outside Vanderhoof for a few hours as they cleared the highway of two huge semis that crashed. I was never so happy to get by in single-lane traffic.

I bit the bullet and luckily just before my trip I bought winter tires. I would suggest everyone do this, it made an enormous difference and given our recent challenges with inclement (that Word of the Day toilet paper is paying off) weather it’s worth the expense.

It’s been a bit of a crazy week with washouts, high tides and winds, a few mudslides and boats filling up with water. It’s probably an appropriate time to check your survival kit for any emergency.

The village is doing a bit of prevention by maintaining the water pipes. I think I was a child when those were first put in, so like me they could use a bit of sprucing up. I’m kidding, I don’t know the last time they were replaced. Andrea says the process is going along very quickly with the digging part is almost complete.

Surfing is becoming all the rage on Haida Gwaii. I’m strictly a bystander in this sport as the prospect of finding a wetsuit to crumple into doesn’t exactly fill me with joy. Don’t picture it — I did, and I haven’t slept in a few days.

The ninth annual Haida Gwaii Expression Sessions is this weekend with a few events for everyone to enjoy. Starting at 7 p.m. this evening at the Legion you can check out the craft sale and open mic. Tomorrow there will be a Tow Hillbilly classic session, and a Family Fun Day on Sunday. For places and exact times talk to Mike at the North Beach Surf Shop next to Fields or email him at northbeach@mhtv.ca.

Also happening this weekend is the kickoff of Haida Gwaii Women’s Dialogue Sessions. These sessions are a collaboration of the Skidegate Band Council, Old Massett Village Council, and the Council of the Haida Nation. The first gathering is Saturday, Nov. 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Skidegate small hall. The next day will only go until 4:30 p.m. The purpose is to bring women together to strengthen leadership and create change. If you would like to know more you can find the webpage at HaidaGwaiiWomen.com or look them up on Facebook.

Don’t forget to fall back tomorrow. Lucky for me, my cell phone is idiot proof and does it for me. I have still been late or early for church on many occasions.

Celebrating milestones in personal growth makes me a grateful person. My darling husband Ken had 20 years of sobriety on Oct. 28. We are both recovering alcoholics.

This made for a funny police interaction after the music fest one night. First, my automatic window closed on his face, and I got the giggles. Then he asked where I was coming from. I looked at the line of cars behind me and gave him a very sarcastic look (I never learn). Finally, he sternly looked at me and asked when my last drink was.

“Nineteen eighty-eight,” I said. He waved me through.

There are Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in Masset. You can call John at 250-626-7557 for information.

God Bless and take care!