Did I miss something? Where is Jack Dodds? Been 2 weeks since his last post.

@graeme-ogg Yes indeed.... I red about that fact.

Thanks for the mention, Jack. But let's make sure the BBECS makes no mention of the ingredients of the "Kuvakas Home Made and Totally Original Except for a Few Odds and Ends (not of seals, though) Rub." Please use the complete copyrighted name in the article. Otherwise, you run the risk of being rubbed out...or run over by the Rubus. Our promotions director, Vinnie, is not an easy man to survi...tolerate when he is "motivated." 

@jkuvakas JK; the secret recipe of the KHM&TOEFAFO&E rub will remain just that until such a time as you, like Harlan Sanders, get paid a small fortune to share it.  Now wouldn't that be a whale of a tale?!

So how did Nanook come by the recipe? Is his life now in danger? I think we should be told. We all accept that our Moderator enjoys (I use the word advisedly) far-reaching powers to maintain social discipline, but there has to be a limit. Could I suggest the boundary could be set somewhere in the vicinity of the Arctic Circle? That way our Inuit culinary enthusiasts could be allowed a little latitude. Or is it longitude. I always get them confused. The self-styled "experts" in Greenwich are no help at all. Just one big zero, imformation-wise.

@graeme-ogg I was the Nanook-Kuvakas secret recipe conduit.  I submit this reply to your question on behalf of Nanook, who is currently occupied doing the dance of the flaming as_h__e after sampling his Kuvakas rub enhanced smoked whale tail.  Please keep Nanook's unfortunate reaction to yourself at this time as we here at the newspaper are concerned that our Chief Editor might be labelled as a major contributor to global warming and degrader of the ice pack . 

p.s.  I can't speak to your question of whether or not Nanook's life is at risk at this time....but, as Mason Williams might say, it's currently a "Classical Gas".

I would guess that Mr Nanook might well be a distant descendant of Nanook of the North, an Inuit hired by Sir Benjamin Franklin during his ill-fated expedition to find the North-West Passage, to help him find a safe return path to open waters. Nanook's proposed route became known as The Back Passage and its failure led to a flaming row. Your historic photo seems to fit in well with the available account of events.

@graeme-ogg History does repeat itself sometimes.  Nanook Numbutt and Sir Benjamin both seem to have taken a burn from The Back Passage.

Graeme, I should add that I am very impressed with your understanding of Canadian history.  At the risk of appearing a braggart I must say that, after many years of study, I have an equally deep understanding of British railroad history; particularly pertaining to Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends; as researched and documented by Reverend W. Awrey.

I think it can be said with some degree of confidence that our academic knowledge of the cultural and transportation histories of our respective countries is at a roughly equivalent level. In all modesty, I feel we can indulge ourselves with some small measure of mutual self-satisfaction in this regard.

@graeme-ogg Yes!  Smugness without guilt....I'm in.  By the way....historically speaking....were you aware that the flaming row you refer to between Nanook of the North and Sir Benjamin ended with Nanook's outburst of "Go fly a kite Ben!"?

Yes indeed.  Rather short-sightedly, Sir Benjamin failed to follow up on that ingenious suggestion, although as you will be aware there were several later attempts to reach the Pole by balloon. History does not record whether Nanook played any pivotal role in those expeditions, although he would clearly have been a prime candidate for supplying the hot air required (always assuming he could have negotiated a suitable licencing deal for the use of JK Rub).

@graeme-ogg Graeme;  at the risk of seeming awkward, I suggest that you may want to return your history book back to the library or perhaps you are reading it upside down.  Benjamin did in fact follow Nanook OTN's instructional outburst; with results that were electrifying and the key to making his hair stand on end....hence his patent for hairspray as I recall.  I think I have that correct.......

By the way, are you aware that a recent survey revealed that 8.9 out of 10 North American proctologists support a ban on the JK Rub?  Being true to their Hippopotic Oath I guess they put patient health before profits from increased patient numbers...go figure.

Well, you are obviously better informed than me in these arcane historical matters.

I suggest you thoroughly work up this topic into an academic dissertation to support your forthcoming application for admission to Mensa (the Mutual Enlightenment Network for Simians and Anthropoids). If necessary I could put in a word for you. Something like "marginal" or "problematic" might be appropriate.

@graeme-ogg I will seriously consider your suggestion Graeme; it's heartwarming to be recognized for my intellect, although I assume my Grade 7 Certificate of Achievement/Attendance speaks for itself.  Coincidentally I am well versed on arcane history as the wife and I have been attending for years, whenever the fair comes to town.  We especially enjoy the shooting gallery, chucking balls at the stacked milk bottles, Wheel of Fortune and of course the cotton candy.  Last time I won a stuffed bear.

Knowing and appreciating one's level of attainment in life, however modest, and taking pride in it, is clearly a recipe for contentment and self-esteem, and I feel you are a shining example of this existential truth.

On that philosophical note I will leave you. The recent rainfall has dampened my sandpit very nicely and I am off outside with my bucket and spade.

@graeme-ogg and Jack dodds

Thanks for that stimulating conversation.