Sneaux

April 1

I am thankful for sneaux (in case you didn't know, sneaux is Louisianian for snow). Snow occurs rarely in Louisiana, and, no, it has not snowed in Baton Rouge this year. I was hoping for some so I could include a snow photo as a Photo of the Day, but as there was none, I decided to put in an old one anyway. This photo was actually taken on December 11, 2008. In Baton Rouge, we had snow one day each in the years 2008, 2009, and 2010, and by my records, little or none since. But I do love taking photos of snow.

Which leads me to my announcement. Because of my love for snow and the lack of it in Baton Rouge, I have decided to undertake a permanent residency change. I have accepted a job in the clinical laboratory at Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital in Barrow Alaska. Barrow is an interesting city. It is the northernmost city in the United States and is 320 miles north of the Arctic Circle. You might recall, that it was the location of two fairly recent movies: Big Miracle with Drew Barrymore, about the true story of the rescue of whales trapped under the ice near Point Barrow and 30 Days of Night about vampires enjoying the city because of the polar night, which they actually have for 65 days beginning in November. It is also the land of the midnight sun from May until the end of July.

We will begin our flight tomorrow morning to Fairbanks, and on to Wiley Post-Will Rogers Memorial Airport in Barrow. I am excited about this opportunity to get back to the lab and do some dog sledding, whaling, and photography of snow, polar bears, and other scenery in the northern regions. Beth will transfer from LSU to Ilisagvik College in Barrow and Bebe will be able to do her art full time and sell it to the local native Inupiats. I think John can book some gigs at one of the local clubs in Barrow. They are starved for live music there.

sneaux

i am looking forward to

the midnight sun glow

the artic temps

and the white white sneaux

the romantic dark

of the polar night

where the sun doesn’t rise

and there is no light

and i will learn so much

for they have a two year school

but if you believe any of this

then you are an april fool!

© rt tulley