Monday, November 23, 2009

23 November

23 November
Dear Gabriel
          They’re leaving.  Which leaves only me-- and the dog.  They’ll be gone by tomorrow morning.   The post will come every two weeks –only- with them gone.  So. . . expect large packages of letters. 
The dog needs a name.  I’m thinking Pete.  It suits him nicely. 
I’m going to put flags up along the trails today – in the snow it’s impossible to tell what goes where, this way if I get caught up in a storm I’ll find my way back ok.  Levi’s boys put a rope up the main path for me that goes right to the front door of the research station. 
The wolves came around last night.  Their howling scared poor Pete half to death, he jumped right into bed with me.  Some protector.  The pack has grown, two new youngsters--both female, I think—were out with them, hunting.  They stopped for a moment on the ridge and were illuminated by the moonlight.  I wish you were her to see it. 


I love you forever.


Nadari

Saturday, November 21, 2009

21 November

21 November

Dear Gabriel, 

It's getting colder, already.  You left just last week, and the hours without you seem to ooze by, like sap from a tree.  Thanks to you I have enough supplies for winter.  I have begun collecting water, just in case the ice comes early.  The villagers seem to think the winter will be far worse this year, there was talk today of them moving further south, away from what they call the “ubilskryhrosa” – roughly translated to frozen evil, or evil chill. 
I cannot, and will not, leave my research now, not when I am so close.  I'll be the only one at the station this winter.  The base will send reinforcements every eight weeks, instead of every three as planned.  There was some trouble obtaining the permits again. 
I’ve taken in a dog, found him sniffing around the garden.  He’s maybe six months old, and a silvery white, after I washed all the dirt from his fur.  He’ll make a nice companion, maybe even chase off any raiders, should they turn up again this year.  Oh, and he’s laid claim to your favorite chair, curled up asleep there now. 
Work to be done, as always.  Today I’m reinforcing the roof, building a passageway to the storeshed and, of course, harvesting firewood.  Levi and his boys will be helping, of course, and Sarah, bless her is quilting up a storm. 

I love you forever.

Nadari