Sudden shift in seasons

September turned into October overnight. But it wasn’t just the physical calendar page that changed. It was an entire weather pivot. There was nothing gradual or moderate. Tuesday was glorious and golden. Wednesday was chilled and grey. The sun was warming and welcome on Tuesday. On Wednesday the sun slept soundly all day behind thick darkened clouds. It was an abrupt and rude transition. However, it was not unexpected. Autumn usually announces itself by October 1, but it is generally a more graceful seasonal passage. This year however, it was a hasty and unapologetic quick exit.

Local PFD time—Go spend money at Palmer restaurants, stores and businesses. Drop some commitment currency clams in our town. The Palmer shopkeepers, coffee-roasters, booksellers, beer brewers, innkeepers and bread bakers need some of our Permanent Fund bucks. Don’t just send it out to America’s Amazon or over to Wasilla Walmart. Those biggies don’t care; our local Palmer merchants do.

Share Your Gift—When our individual monetary gift arrives this week, it is just good juju to immediately share a bit of it with our hard-working volunteer groups.. Before you do your annual money dance, give to your community nonprofits for sustenance. Or share with the world. There are so many groups that work hard in our area. We have important voluntary nonprofits that daily feed kids, assist elders, make trails, patrol neighborhoods, snow rescue, train teens, rescue the lost, assist the veterans, clean up trash, recycle materials, rescue the animals, help the homeless, and feed the hungry. So before you spend the big $1000 buckos, (which we get—just for breathing in the State of Alaska)—share a bit of that with others. Good Karma will follow.

Palmer Embraces October—If you haven’t checked out the busting bulletin boards in P-town, you should. There are activities for every person regardless of your inclination. Yoga, dance, music, bookclubs, fibers, knitting, health, volunteer opportunities, wildlife, nature walks, runs, brewing, pickling, recycling, cooking, faith, retail, massage, history, cleansing, birds, and classes on every subject. The Palmer Alaska Buzz FB social media site tries to keep most of these things available and up to date, if it happens in our Palmer Area. Many events are in person and some are online. Coincidentally, there are dozens of fundraisers, calendared to sync with the October Permanent Fund Distribution of 1000 dollars to every Alaska resident man, woman and child. Get up and get out and enjoy your community.

Lights Up In Palmer—We have a little over 10 hours of daylight now but it is shrinking. It’s kinda hard to deal with the active sunlight loss. But this is when we are proactive and planners. We know dark time is coming and we know outside lighting is more than merry. Outside lighting in Palmer is indicative of warmth, hope, and goodness, even in the darkness. It exudes a positive and safe environment. It is more than just being merry; it is welcoming and comforting.

Palmer Personal Lights On—Because of the loss of sunlight, it is definitely time to don the lights—on both you, your kids, and your pets. Reflective tape strips on your jackets, boots, hats, headbands, or snow pants are a huge help in the darkness. (Last year the Palmer Library was giving away reflective tape to put on your jackets!) It doesn’t have to be an expensive purchase. Become a reflective pedestrian, biker or runner. There are many different types of convenient items that will make you reflective and safer. There are creams, bracelets, arm bands, belts, vests, socks, pants, jackets, head bands, shoes, and belts.

Palmer Animals Lit Up Too—Your animals might have the reflective material built into their collar. But if they don’t, you can always add some reflective tape to their leash or collar. Or, better yet, add a small little blinker—about the size of a quarter—available at Animal Food Warehouse. It’s small but rugged. I have used this for years and it works really well. Plus my dog feels extra special and important too when he wears it.

Barbara Hunt lives, writes and paints Palmer, Alaska. She works hard to keep the robust pulse of our Palmer community. Barbara shares the good stuff weekly in the 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.