PALMER BUZZ: Holding fast to new year’s resolutions

We are two weeks into the New Year and already resolutions are breaking bad. Around Palmer Alaska, we can actually see some of the resolutions falling to the wayside. Here is a summary of canned Palmer Alaska resolutions.

I will scrape my windows. Sure. But only if it is over 60 degrees. Many a vehicle still has that teeny tiny scraped window where you can maybe see the car in front of you. But you can’t see the moose on one side or pedestrian on the other.I will turn my lights on at sunset. Well this one fails. Many are the vehicles that are chasing sunlight. It is a challenge in the darkest time of year to drive, without lights in the long dim sunrises and sunsets. Just do it. Ignore the clock. Soon enough we will have daylight to spare.I will return the grocery cart to the cart stable. Ok. This one isn’t working. On any given day shopping carts are obstacle courses in the large parking lots. Add to this the ice, wind and darkness, and those grocery carts become Palmer projectiles. Be careful.I will not put any more tubes of Chap Stick through the laundry. Oh this is a good one. Is anyone counting here? And can I just tell you how soft and mushy your clothes are once they’ve been in spin cycle with your lip gloss?I will make good choices. This is totally obvious on a sunny Sunday afternoon. The bars are full and the sidewalks and gyms are empty.I will take a brisk walk instead of a nap. But only after I have happily loaded up on carbohydrates and liquids and donned three layers of outerwear, full face scarf, heavy boots and exhausted myself dressing up that—I must lie down for just a few minutes.I will keep the bird feeder full. Well that failed, thanks to the greedy little Palmer squirrels who are epic hoarders and have no sense of generosity or grace.I will shovel all the walking spaces at my home. No. That is not happening, especially when Mr. Wind and the snowplow redeposits hard pack on the clear areas.I will wear proper footgear on the ice. Oh c’mon. I’m just taking the garbage out. I’m just running into the store for a few things. Then boom. Down you go and you pay for it for months. And thus chiropractors are popular.I will not spend too much time on social media. But there is so much going on! And I am afraid to miss anything like the stunning animal video of a dog wearing a kitten as his personal hat.I will NOT be jealous when others go on vacation to Hawaii or Mexico or Arizona or Cancun—for 10 long, endless days of hot sun, fancy drinks, and sand and water fun. No, I won’t. I will pretend I don’t even know these people and I won’t acknowledge their absence or even miss them when they’re gone.

Monday for Dr. Martin Luther King—This will be the 16th year of annual recognition and celebration at the Mat Su Senior Center. Everyone is welcome and there is always food and music and a wonderful gathering. It is on Monday, January 15 at 1Pm at the Senior Center and is sponsored by Mat-Su MLK Jr. Foundation. 907.232.5201 for more info.

This week: Palmer Food Swap at the Annex on Saturday; Red Cross Babysitting Class at Turkey Red on Saturday; January History Night at the Palmer Moose Lodge on Tuesday. This month’s talk will be feathering Dr. Stephen Brown! Science and history is the discussion! And there are always cookies.

The Borough Announces—The “Problem Reporter” is coming soon to an internet near you. It will encourage and allow all Mat-Su Borough residents to report trash dumping on Borough lands.

Evolution on Main Street—Forever Endeavors, the cutest little handcrafted gift store, is closing its doors at the end of the month. It has a rainbow of yarns, wood products, kuspuks, aprons, art supplies, and beautiful jewelry, games and books. Forever Endeavor is still located in the Koslosky Center, back behind B’Bella’s hair shop and beside the Stamp Cache. It is very sad that this most colorful shop is closing. However, ‘Beyond’ is taking its place—which is sure to include all the great Pollock siblings’ creativity at many new levels.

More Evolution on Main Street—Theresa Roy’s flagship CoverUps has moved on. Taking over the inventory and location is PEAK Boutique! It is in the same location with similar merchandise—but a whole new look. Visit with new owner Ronalee Moses and see what is happening at her shop, PEAK boutique! Good luck to both Theresa and Ronalee! It’s a tough job to keep a brick and mortar store going in a tiny little town. But with loyal customers and new business, it works for everyone.