Palmer winter is coming

Predictably with this Palmer announcement there are either a series of groans or a series of yip yips. It’s a personal decision how to handle winter. Palmer does its best to offer up lots of social and civic events. But it still boils down to personal choice.

Snow Activists—If you are a snow activist, winter is what you wait for….really. Hatcher Pass, sledding hills, fat bikes, icy lakes for skating, spiked sneakers, snowshoes, dog mushing, cross country ski trails, downhill whooshing and snow-machining. This is the season of no bugs and no initial sweat.

Non-Snow Activists—Please know that you don’t have to indulge in all the above outside snow sports to enjoy winter. Read on to see some options.

Palmer Winter Walking—This is an “in-between” winter experience, which doesn’t require the stamina, expense, equipment or fortitude of the action sports. BUT it does require proper clothing. A hat, scarf, warm coat, gloves, long underwear, warm socks and insulated footwear with a good tread— are a necessary for both safety and enjoyment. Walking can be the best form of exercise plus during the daylight hours you can catch some sunlight. This year the City of Palmer is doing the pedestrian plowing seriously. They purchased some specialized equipment last year and are seeing the need to keep sidewalks and town walkable. The Monday Fun Run (every week at Active Soles) isn’t just a run…it’s also a walk and it’s delightful because elders, tweens, kids, and dogs participate—making it a community event.

Opposite Winter Approaches—So one can feel victimized by winter or one can feel validated by winter. Again it is a personal choice. And it requires some mental preparation. In this area, Palmer folks can learn a lesson from both the Palmer Colonists and the Scandinavian countries. Both knew well that winter was a time for gathering, celebrating, and hunkering down. Pleasure came with relaxation, hibernation, and soothing activities, after chores were done.

Hygge in Palmer— You have possibly read about “hygge,” which is a popular term defined as “a quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being.” It is pronounced “hoo-guh,” it comes from a Norwegian term hygge, which means “to comfort or console.” It seems like a close relative to the English word “hug.”

Hygge is a state of mind. You can’t purchase it. It recognizes the quality of life, not monetary success. It comes with ordinary intentional life. And that satisfaction and pleasure comes with mindfulness. You can see it easily in Palmer. Walk into Vagabond Blues—almost any time of day— and you will see Hygge. Friends are chatting with hot soup and bread. Their are bundled in flannel shirts and puffy jackets. You’ll see it at NonEssentials where soft mittens sit beside freshly baked pies. Hand painted windows decorate the shops on Main Street. Over at the Colony Inn, you will see it in the cushy living room chairs. In the restaurant, Auntie’s Cafe, you will see it with the Latte and homemade cookies. You will see it in church altars with burning candles and in church basements with volunteers. You’ll see it at the library, where lap children are watching a story being read. It’s at the post office line chit chat. You’ll see it with the elders and cups of coffee at the Hotel. Palmer is over-endowed with hygge year-round, but this time of year it shows up in the street-side twinkly lights.

Hygge Explained—If you walk into Fireside Bookstore, you will feel hygge and you will easily find at least eight different books on hygge. The identification of this concept has made huge inroads into the general population over the last few years. Any of the talented booksellers in the store can point out these books to you. They address the happiness of winter, inspired winter, winter foods, winter crafts, winter reading, and even picture books celebrating the shortest time of light.

More Hygge—A weekend binge watch is a form of hygge, with a few good friends or family and lots of furry blankets and pillows. In many homes, a good book, a soft chair, a flannel throw, a nice lamp and a sweet dog creates a form of hygge. Friends in bookclubs or at 203 Kombucha—playing board games— creates hygge.

This Week in Palmer—Wednesday History Night at the Moose Lodge, 12th Annual Mat-Su Salmon Science and Conservation Symposium at the Palmer Depot, Consignment Market at Raven Hall at the Fairgrounds, Holiday Marketing at the Palmer AleHouse. Friday Night Prime Feast at the American Legion, Pamyua at the Glenn Massay Theater at the College; Saturday NonEssentials Wellness pop-up market, Grand Opening Northern Lilly, Braided River Band at Klondike Mike’s for Big Cabbage Radio, Palmer High School Annual Blue-Out Luau; Sunday Palmer Illustrated Art Journaling at Level Seven, Glass Fusing Ornaments at The Art Cafe, and the WFTDA Champs Watch Party at Humdinger’s,

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 museum. Contact at bhunt@mtaonline.net or text 907.315.3222