Palmer’s ‘Blue Hour’

This is a time of wonderment, which appears on clear days, only during the period of twilight — either at dawn or at dusk. It is the short time when our sun is still far enough below the horizon so the powerful blue wavelengths dominate.

You might not know this is an official time, but you will recognize it when you see it. It is a magical and peaceful time — lasting not quite an hour — either in the morning or in the evening. In the Palmer area, it is even more spectacular because of the snowy mountains which are our backdrop, in any direction. It is nature’s magnificent theater. You will see blue, from the deepest to the lightest shades. in a unified gradient. If you favor the color blue, you will love it even more. It is at this time that you can see only the brightest starts and planets in the blue universe.

This post-sunset and pre-sunrise time is seen most of the year but it is at it’s very best in March. Photographers and artists value this time because of the soft light which speaks gently and exudes peace. There is a totally dreamy quality of the Palmer Blue Hour — when everything melts into the blueness.

Palmer Animals Track the Sun Spots — This is also a phenomena of March. Both domestic and wild animals are smart enough to track the warming sun spots. This can happen in your house, in your barn or in the wilderness. Who doesn’t have a cat that moves itself around instinctively with the sun pattern? Who doesn’t have a dog that situates itself directly in the sun spot in front of the patio window? A friend of mine has horses who align themselves with the immediate sun rays. Moose tend to linger in sun patches and that reddish fox relishes his moments on the broken log, only when it is bathed in sunshine. It may still be very cold out, but there is energy and attraction in the sun spots and random rays of March.

March in Palmer — This is a favorite month, according to many in Palmer. There are no bugs. There is sun. There’s warmer temperatures. There isn’t break up. The greenhouses are cranking. There are shoveled walking paths. There are groomed ski trails. There are promises and plans of summer.

The Big Blue and White Show — This Palmer show has been going on for several weeks. You look outside the window and all you see is the big, beautiful blue sky and the white on the mountains. It is extraordinary. The symbolism of Blue and White is ancient. The color combo is holy, clean, peaceful and inspiring. There are entire books devoted to this subject. In fact, I teach classes about the “Big Blue and White,” and it never fails to resonant. We are so lucky to live in the land of blue and white.

Palmer Community Foundation—This important group is accepting grant requests for just a short time. Think about what Palmer needs and submit a grant request. It’s our Palmer community and let’s just continue to make it better and better.

Palmer Train Depot—This month the historical Palmer Train Depot, our community center, will be the home of Palmer Chamber of Commerce luncheons; the Palmer Moose Lodge is having some renovations. The Depot will also be the location of the Farm Bureau meeting, private festivities and a Cabin Fever Reliever.

Special Pie Holiday in Palmer in March — March 14 (3.14) is Pi Day, which is remarkable because it is a mathematical holiday and Einstein’s Birthday, However in Palmer, we celebrate 3-14 with Pie. Nearly all of the eating establishments in Palmer leap into the act. Vagabonds, Turkey Red, Sunrise Cafe, Noisy Goose, Sophie’s Cafe and the Valley Hotel have plenty of pie plans. Start thinking and planning now about your Palmer Pie Stroll next week.

This Week in Palmer — First Friday is this week, celebrated at Poppy Lane. A Jazz performance is at the Palmer Depot this weekend. Daylight Savings begins on Sunday. Fireside Book’s bookclub is on Sunday evening. Monday is both the Super Moon and the beginning of Spring Break.

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