Louisiana Sandusky's Alaskan friend, Sikik, writes her a letter, not knowing that she isn't home. Louisiana and her family are on their way to Louisiana, where they are going to be attending a Cajun music festival.
Wednesday, August 18, 2004~
Dear Louisiana:
Hello from Barrow, Alaska! This is Sikik Grace Eegeesiak writing! How are you doing? Hope this finds you all well and happy!
Thank you for writing again; it was very nice to hear from you! I loved the picture you used for your letter; that looks like Barrow sometimes when aurora season is in full swing! Speaking of auroras, our aurora season has gotten off to an earlier than normal start; have seen some spectacular auroral displays already, and it is only just past the middle of August! Maybe if you like I will send you some pictures that I took with my own camera of the auroras! Would you like that? Let me know, okay? Thanks!
I am doing fine; but the family is busy, as always. Mother and Father are both well; no complaints from either of them, which is always a good thing, perhaps? I have been feeding them, and they are both eating well; and my brothers and sisters have all been dropping by to check in on them (and on ME!). Today finds my brothers Tevi and Mattaq here; as well as my sisters Naiomi and Oolik; and so we have a houseful now. Mother and Father are having fun entertaining them, but I decided it was time to write to you while I still had some free time, which is why I am writing to you now. The noise from my brothers, sisters, and parents was starting to get to me.
I heard that your daughter, Ronee', broke her arm the other day. I am sorry that she hurt herself! How old is your Ronee'? How did she break her arm? That had to have been awful for you both! Tell your Ronee' that I hope that she feels better soon, and tell her that maybe I will send her something from Barrow, Alaska! What does she like? Does she like to read? Draw? Play games or watch movies? What are her interests? Let me know, and I will send her something!
I also heard that your son, Johnny, has been sad because his dog has been sick. I hope that Johnny (and his dog) are both doing better! What is his dog's name? What kind is she (or is it a he??)? What happened that his dog got sick? It must have been bad, judging from your letter! But I didn't know chocolate was bad for dogs because it always tastes so good to us humans! Tell Johnny that I will send him something from Barrow, Alaska, as well! But first I need to know what he likes to do. Does he like to read or draw, or play games? Let me know, and I will send your little boy something from Barrow, Alaska, as well! Thanks!
How is the weather there in the Outside land of Tennessee? Is it hot there? Here it is rainy, but cool, with temps in the 60's to near 70 degrees in the day, and the upper 40's at night, really pleasant sleeping weather. The rain always makes me sleepy for some weird reason, but hopefully the rains will end before nightfall, and before the auroras are scheduled to appear. The weatherman here says that the rain is supposed to end by nightfall, and it is supposed to clear up later. So I probably will see some auroras tonight!
Have you heard from Jenna Aurora Whitson lately? I haven't, and I am starting to get worried about her! She has had a bad time of it lately, hasn't she? Let me know if you hear from Jenna, and tell Jenna to drop me a line, okay? She is such a sweet lady!
Well, Louisiana, I must run; Mother is calling me again. I think it is time to eat. We are having reindeer stew and also whale. YUM! I will write more later. Until you next hear from me, Louisiana, you take care, and blessings to you and your family!
~As always, your new Inuk friend in Barrow, Alaska, Sikik Grace Eegeesiak. :)
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Reviewed by P. Michaels
8/19/2004
Karen, your letters are delightful. It would be really wonderful to receive such letters. They show such care.
Reindeer stew and whale...sounds like the family is blessed with a huge appettie, it must be the rain...wish we had some here in the desert, it just doesn't rain around here...
Yankee Doodle Daddy is a historical Appalachian Family Saga. The story follows a mother's reckoning as she struggles to survive and keep her four daughters alive.
Wednesday, August 18, 2004~
