I got a guy...

So Larry has been after me for quite a while now. I remember his Huge Labor Day Sale like it was yesterday. Larry flagged me down on my afternoon walk and invited me in to his house. To this day, Larry's place is the only Village house that I've been inside.
Larry was trying to peddle me one of his elaborate whale bone Eskimo masks. At the time I still felt like I was broke as a joke. I entertained him for a while and was more interested in learning more about his craft with no intention to buy then.
In November, my buddy Ben sent me a message that he'd be interested in buying one those those masks from my guy if I ran in to him and like a Shaman in the night - Larry appeared that same day.
I bought Ben a nice mask but not before dickering on the price a bit with Larry, if not just for a good laugh.
Tonight when Larry knocked on my door, I was actually glad to see him. He and I haven't visited since that day back in November. He's been in Anchorage since then and well, I've been occupied a bit myself. Larry knocked and we invited him in.
He didn't immediately whip out the mask but made small talk leading up to it. We talked about traveling and the Holidays. We talked about the weather. I must have asked him something about Kivalina because for a while there it was as if I struck a chord. Larry went on about a 15 minute rant about the political and personal ins and outs of village life here - the need for equality and fair treatment. I think I was left with the overwhelming feeling that Larry is a happy guy that isn't worried about much because God is on his side.
Larry's probably 65 years old or so. He's a talented guy and a heck of a story teller. I remember him showing me how he cuts the whale bones with a hacksaw. I asked him about a Dremel. He laughed. It's all done by hand with files...no power tools at all...this I know because I sat in his Laundry Room/Workshop way back on Labor Day and saw it for myself.
Tonight though he was in good form... I was laughing and enjoying myself immensely. Honestly, a mask like this would go for $400-$500 bucks in Anchorage rather easily... Larry cut me a deal and remembered the bargain he had promised when I bought Ben's mask back in Novemeber - my next mask for a hundred bucks (He started at $150).
Tonight I am the owner of a Larry Adams 2016 Original...he even numbered it #1.
His first sale of the New Year.
I love it.
He's bring me an Ulu by tomorrow.