Dogigloo

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Main Entry: 1dog
Pronunciation: \ˈdog, ˈdäg\
Function: noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English docga
Date: before 12th century
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Main Entry: ig·loo
Pronunciation: \ˈi-(ˌ)glü\
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural igloos
Etymology: Inuit iglu house
Date: 1856
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Main Entry: dog-ig-loo
Pronunciation: \ däg-i-glü\
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural dogigloos or dogiglus
Etymology: a half-wit rendering of Inu-English origin
Date: about 15 minutes ago...1/19/08

Definition: a semi-permanent arctic dwelling intended for mammals of the domesticated canine persuasion. Optimally utilized during summer months with some degree of use in fall and spring. Rendered uninhabitable during winter months if frigid temperatures, wind, and/or snow persist in disagreeable quantities and/or proportions. Often occupied by unexpected tenants such as parka squirrels, lemmings, and sometimes small children.

(See also related term: digging out)





This one was taken in the fall...October, I think.

Keeping Warm

It's been a strange several days. Our school schedule continues to suffer the effects of this roller coaster ride of colder temperatures. No one has seen fit to decide which thermometer should be used to determine school closure. Since the actual temperature depends on which side of the village you happen to take the reading, the fate of the school day has become rather ambiguous. Classes were dismissed after lunch on Monday and today they were canceled altogether. As much as I appreciate the unexpected day off, it's frustrating to imagine how much more instructional time will be siphoned away before someone realizes we are living in the Arctic!

In the meantime...we're keeping warm.

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This photo was taken at Thanksgiving. The outfit that she is wearing is not warm enough for the temperatures that we are experiencing right now, but that's okay because she would be inside of her mother's parka anyway. Notice her hands...neat idea!



This is the traditional way to carry a baby regardless of season. The mothers wear a belt on the outside of their parkas, so that the baby/child doesn't slip down and out the bottom! They will carry their baby this way until it is literally too big for the parka or a younger sibling has come along to demand the space. I have seen a mother with one in the back and a tiny infant in the front.


This infant parka is the only one that I've ever seen. Babies are ALWAYS inside of their mother's parka. However, this photo was taken in August, so that may account for her being able to be "out" in her own parka rather than tucked away.



The fur ruff isn't just for show. The fur around the hood breaks the wind before it hits the face. It won't prevent frost bite, but it certainly helps.

It's Chilly...

Frozen eyelashes and frozen hair are both fairly commonplace around here, but eyelashes frozen to frozen hair? Now, that was a first for me! When I left for school this morning the thermometer read -45.9. All along the way, my breath collected back on my face and parka, so that by the time I reached the playground I could feel the tug of my hair pulling on my eyelashes every time I tried to blink (or maybe it was my eyelashes tugging on my hair). So, I decided to attempt to capture this very typical arctic anomaly with the camera. Please forgive the fuzziness. Small buttons, freezing fingers...not a good combination!

Over the last several days our temperatures have hovered around forty-five degrees below zero. It has really wreaked havoc with our school schedule this week because we aren't allowed to run the school bus when the ambient temperature is colder than forty below. That is a fairly new development, though. Until the spring of 2006, school was rarely canceled, even for a blizzard, much less a little cold snap. So the wisdom of that policy is still the focus of considerable debate around the district.

But, bus or no bus, teachers are still expected to show up. So I arrived this morning, as every morning this time of year, with frost on my ruff and frost on my face. When I entered the school the frost quickly began to melt leaving my face wet, even dripping a little. My friend and fellow teacher, Ami, and I laughed about the futility of wearing make-up around here. I know there is such a thing as waterproof mascara, but I have to wonder what happens to that stuff when your eyelashes freeze. And I have a feeling they don't explain that on the box.