Palmer turning point

This is the seasonal turning point. There are little, tiny markers that that winter is on its’ long way out. I actually believe that at this point in the year winter’s back is broken but I am also known to indulge in lots of magical thinking. However there are scientific signs and solid cultural traditions which honor this very slight but very important transition.

Groundhog’s Day—Feb 2 is the Americanized version of Northern Europe’s Candlemas, Imbolc, or St. Brigid’s Day. The groundhog annually predicted how much winter was left. Historically, Candlemas was when ancient ancestors had their first sip of fresh milk from pregnant lactating ewes. Can you imagine how nourishing this first bit of milk was—after many long months of rationing? These old days had none of our conveniences (stores, refrigerators, clothes dryers, vitamins, fuel delivery, happy lights, etc) so of course so the putting up of food and supplies was a solid and necessary purpose in their lives. In old Alaska, this was both classic work ethic and necessity—because the possibility of perishing was a real fear. Even today, at Palmer’s latitude in the northern hemisphere, the winter is not really over yet. But this time of year is a hopeful time. Likewise we get to observe the natural world revealing a minuscule emergence from the deep winter cocoon.

Signs in Palmer—Seed racks are in every store. Gardening equipment is showing up in the aisles. Winter gear is beginning to go on sale. Lawn furniture is making a debut, albeit early. Outdoor hours in daylight are extended as the energy has increased.

Bird Signs—Woodpeckers are thrumming occasionally. Male owls are definitely doing their mating calls. Chickens have survived the holiday molt and are laying eggs again. Roosters are fully crowing now, sometimes 8 times a day. Eagles are seen on many trees awaiting a reckless rodent or a fresh roadkill. Chickadees are full of pep now.

Snow and Ice Signatures—Icicles are growing now. There are drips now. Old icy layered snow is plentiful but you see tiny tracks which proves things underground are moving.

Bugs—There are teeny bugs on the snow now. They were not there weeks ago. I know little about them but I consider them a signal of winter weakening its grip.

Sun—There really is a touch of warmth in the sun rays occasionally. It’s brief. But this is a sign of life breaking through the cloak of winter.

Babies—If you think back 9 months, it was June—a time of wedding, a time of love and frankly a time of conception! Here we are in February and babies are being born and celebrated. And not just human babies. Furry farm animal babies and woodland babies are also in process. This is relevant as it shows and underlines the rebirth of life.

Palmer Plans—It’s no accident that this is the time of year when new plans are made. Old plans are improved. Ideas are planted. It is a time of examination. Construction designs are on the table and we have the luxurious time to amend and alter our job list for summer.

This Week In Palmer—Tarzan is in town and you will want to get tickets. It is at the Glenn Massey Theater at the college. There is live Reggae music, with “Loaded Karma” at Hatcher Pass Lodge at 3. Wednesday is the “Bar Exam Trivia Contest” at Klondike Mikes. Lulu Small will be at the Palmer Alehouse on Wednesday. There is a free educational heart health forum at Mat Su Regional on Saturday at 11. There is First Friday at Poppy Lane. There is Emo Night 2 at the Palmer Train Depot on Saturday. There is the first annual “kids fish for free event” at Seventeen Mile Lake in Sutton on Saturday at 11am. There is a Basic Pistol Course on Sunday at 8 at the Matanuska Sportsmen’s Range. Stay safe and kind, Palmer peeps!

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. Contact at bhunt@mtaonline.net or text 907.315.3222