Palmer halfway

It’s mid July and summer is half-way done. And thankfully this year of 2020 is half-way done as well. To borrow the classic words of Bon Jovi:

“Whoa—we’re half-way there.

Whoa—livin’ on a prayer.

Take my hand, we’ll make it I swear…

Whoa, living on a prayer.”

It’s been a gorgeous Alaska summer. But all of this natural beauty can not cover up the enormous caverns of disparity, hostility, and confusion which marched in this year, and subsequently took a solid seat at our community’s table. Palmer is half-way masked. Palmer is half-way open. Palmer is half-way happy. Palmer is half-way connected.

Half-way Mountains—Clouds have taken on a major landscaping role in our Palmer summer weather pattern now. The mountains are often covered up with partial clouds and drama in the sky theater embellishes the beloved profile of our mountains.

Half-way Grown—Palmer produce is now abundant at farm stands located in our Palmer community. There are at least 8 local farm stands: Moonstone Farm Stand, Bushes Bunches Farm Stand, Mountain Field Farm, Sun Circle Farm, Kenley Family Farm Stand, Arthur Keyes’ Glacier Valley Farm Stand, Singing Nettle Farm up on Lazy, and Arctic Organics off of Smith Road in the Butte. Each farm has different days and hours of operations—so check them out individually on their website or Facebook page. Some local produce is also available at some grocery stores and at Palmer’s Friday Flings. But the big produce season is coming; we’re half-way there.

Half-way Flowered and Fished—Fortunately our flower and fish season is long and there is lots still to come. Peonies have given way to the gracious lilies, poppies, roses, and eventual dahlias and sunflowers. The Silvers are coming. And Berry Season is in a matter of weeks. We have lots of bounty coming up.

Half-way Horses—At the Friday Fling and the Midsummer Faire, the pony rides were a big hit. But not for the dogs, who also joined their humans for the events. Many a local dog was frightened by these docile creatures, fully harnessed and walking slowly around in a circle. The dogs probably mistook them for moose like creatures. If you are a neighborhood dog, who generally doesn’t see horses, the ponies were fearful. Imagine little people sitting atop a moose, or walking beside these slow and deliberate creatures.

Half-way Masks—Under the guise of personal independence, we all proclaim our distinct line in the sand. Yes, I will be obedient and responsible. Yes, I will serve and protect. Yes, I will be prudent and careful. Yes, I will be free and fly the flag of liberty. Yes, I will be community oriented when it’s convenient.

Listening to all of the various arguments, watching all the public actions, and seeing the frightening daily Corona statistics is a commentary of “a community in conflict.” At times it is very subtle. But always and at the very bottom of all of this—is resentment.

If you choose to ignore or disbelieve the Coronavirus numbers, you likely resent people who do focus and do believe the numbers. If you choose not to attend public events because of safety, you likely resent people that do go and enjoy the frivolity. If you go to the grocery in a mask, you likely resent the mask-less people. If you go to church gatherings, you probably resent the folks whom say it’s unsafe to attend. People and organizations that choose to cancel events are resented by enthusiasts. People and organizations that create events are resented for being reckless.

There seems to be a lot of unsaid resentments and judgement floating around in the Palmer air this summer, like pollen. You can’t really see it, but you can feel it. It’s uncomfortable, unusual, and irritating. Community healing is going to take a-lot of time, just like the Virus vaccine. We need to acknowledge the toll this has taken on our medical heroes, city personnel, first responders, shopkeepers, seniors, event planners, school children, teachers, parents, service providers, grandparents, and neighbors. We need to work through this time of misunderstandings. “We’re half-way there; we’re livin’ on a prayer.”

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