Love under the bridge

Palmer has graffiti in the usual, hidden places. It’s curious and layered. There are multiple missives and messages (along with important announcements) scrawled under the bridge. Interestingly, most of the typical ugly messages have been covered up with some pretty positive stuff. I think this is an intentional message of love. I don’t condone tagging or graffiti. And I’ve volunteered (more than a few times) to help community projects repaint walls where graffiti has reigned. However, I also recognize some select graffiti is fairly inspiring and artistic. Sadly, the good kind comes hand in hand with the bad kind. But lets’ honor the message while it lasts.

Palmer Has Unique Ways of Showing Love—I am not going to recite the many different instances that love is shown in the Palmer area—I do that constantly in this newspaper column and through the Palmer Alaska Buzz social media. However, It occurred to me that there are some non-specific, very generic actions that most of us do without thinking. Waiting patiently at the 4 way stop is gracious. Not using one’s vehicle horn is gracious. Opening the door at the post office is gracious. Returning a shopping cart to the little parking station is gracious. All of these little gracious acts show love of our neighbor and town. Let’s keep doing it. It is contagious and a good viral infection in our community. Oh, and the fact that Balto—on the corner—is always outfitted with a nice warm scarf—is continuing proof of Palmer love.

Love on the Loose—It’s mating season. Cats and dogs are feeling the change in the season. Last week reindeer were loose. A few cows escaped too. There’s been one moth hatch. Black flies have been resurrected. There is a vigor that comes with the light increase. Horses are shedding. River willows are budding. Birds are pairing. Owls are hooting and woodpeckers are drumming. Chickens are laying. Ravens return to their roosts a little later each day but always before sunset. Winter’s back is broken. Be cautious though, we’re only in our second of seven springs.

Palmer Love Items—If you celebrate Valentine’s day there are some kinda nice P-town items available. Elwoods has a heart shaped drink and raspberry swirl. Homemade and decorated cookies are possibly still available from the Cookie Whisperer. The Palmer Alaska Buzz produced a special Palmer Valentine Card this year and there might be a few left at NonEssentials. NonEssentials also has Chocolate, made almost locally in Chugiak…it is amazing. Most Palmer restaurants are having a special valentine meal available but Turkey Red is having theirs on Saturday the 12th. Fireside Bookstore has a full selection of Valentine books and Poppy Lane and NonEssentials have crazy, good gift items. Palmer’s AK Namaste is offering special “love yourself” weekend treatments involving unique oils, Reiki, sound therapy and chakra balancing.

New Restaurant in Palmer—Omnivore begins its’ soft launch this week. It is located at 173 S. Valley Way at the former location of Humdingers. “A soft launch period allows for adequate training and process refinement before the grand opening on March 17th.”

This Week in Palmer—Wednesday night is the Palmer Museum Annual Meeting at 530. Sunday is the 2022 Mat Su Ski for Women at Government Peak Recreation Area. It is a 4K Fun ski and not a race. Costumes are encouraged. It is a fundraiser for local valley charities. Don’t forget that Valentine’s Day is Monday!

Barbara Hunt is both Palmer writer and artist. She works hard to keep the robust pulse of Palmer, Alaska. She shares the good stuff in the weekly Palmer Alaska Buzz Column in the Mat Su Valley Frontiersman and daily on the Palmer Alaska Buzz Facebook Group. Her “Palmer Buzz 2022 Community Calendar” is available at the Palmer shops. Contact at bhunt@mtaonline.net or text 907.315.3222