Masks, mud and changing colors

Before the leaves arrive, we see the fuzzy little catkins perched on the willow branches. Did you know that those furry coats are actually purposeful? In fact the fuzzy jacket was designed by nature to keep the inner flower warm, during cold spring nights! Plus, their fur is quite attractive to pollinators….especially since there aren’t any bold and brassy flowers around to compete. This is generally the first plant to bud in Palmer springtimes and who is not happy to see them?

Palmer Wearing Masks—How do you make a smile when your mouth is covered up with a mask? Well, by smiling under your mask, which in turn will make your eyes smile. Try it.

This mask business has some advantages. There’s no need for lipstick or make up anymore. If you have ever wished to dress up like the highwayman, here is your chance. Finally, you have a legitimate opportunity to wear a bandanna kerchief like a cowboy. If you’ve lost some of your hearing (perhaps because of too much and too loud rock & roll) then your learned ability to read lips is mightily diminished with masks. It’s also difficult to see when your glasses fog up, from the steam under your mask. Some suggest putting a piece of first aid tape or tissue over your the bridge of your nose, prior to putting on your mask. Others suggest putting some shaving cream on your glass lens to eliminate the fogginess. Be warned that your phone recognition will fail badly when you have a mask on. Oh and some masks have very wee lettering printed or embroidered on the fronts. I am not revealing what is written there, but basically it means—if you can read it, you’re too close.

Palmer’s many Mask Makers have taken on this task in a solid manner. All the first responders and medical staff are priority with official masks but for the rest of us “designer” masks from local seamstresses and sewers are available in various prints and camo. Masks make sense from an artistic point of view, as painters have always worn masks around pigments and varnishes. I guess the virus is no different.

Palmer Mud and Puddles—This isn’t a new seasonal title, although it should be. Palmer mud and puddles are the joy of April. Most of the rotten, snow cone ice is melting and it’s last farewell remains in the form of puddles, large enough in which to launch a small canoe. There is something so refreshing about live water now, even if it is a murky brown. Children are attracted to it and they’re not wrong.

Palmer Lumber Bugs and Potholes—Mosquitos have joined us. They are big and slow.

Potholes are gaping. They are big and deep. These are our sure signs of spring. Be careful out there.

Changing Color—Bunnies, spruce hens, and ptarmigan are dumping their white outfits for their mottled brown colors of summer. Isn’t it kind of remarkable that these animals and birds can change their coats so quickly and totally in line with what nature requires? People too are packing away the winter coats, scarves, mittens, and ski pants. We’re garaging the skis, snow shoes, ice skates and sleds. This is actually done without any reluctance at all. We’ve had our season of snow. We join the birds and beasts in the celebration of spring.

Buds and Blood in the Trees—If you look carefully at the silhouette of trees, from a distance, you can actually see the change in both their outline and shade. It’s their sap or their blood. There is a distinct difference in the color of both their bark and limbs. And the buds are growing hourly. If you took time-lapse photography, you would see the buds grow.

Palmer Babies—There are baby lambs the size of a lasagna pan. There are tiny bunnies that can sit in your palm. There are chicks and ponies. There are the baby musk oxies and reindeer infants. All of these babies join the goat babies that came earlier.

Palmer is Opening Carefully—Tread lightly as Palmer begins to resume itself. The bike shop is open. You can get puzzles and books curbside at the book store. Limited appointments can be made for services. Keep the social distancing in mind so this can be a gentle and successful reopening. Stay Safe.

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 Community Calendar” is available at Palmer shops and the Palmer museum. Contact at bhunt@mtaonline.net or text 907.315.3222