Tulips yell for attention

You have seen May’s proud tulips standing in full attention. They are not shy; they are tall and strong…lined up like bold soldiers beside the Palmer Museum. They are full throated and follow the sun and scream at the world. Sometimes they droop and then they recover. The lighter yellow daffodils have fluttered and flopped about in the spring winds. Soon there will be globe flowers and Rose Tree of China blossoms. Currently we have cottonwood and spruce buds which smell so good and tree leaves are “larger than a squirrel’s ear,” which is the customary indicator to begin planting in the ground.

Microclimates—Many tiny Alaska perennials have bloomed where most of the garden is still hibernating. This is the time when we can actually see the successful little microclimates created by building or tree shelters. These places are protected from the wind but usually on the south side so they take full advantage of the sun. It is in these locations that plants are thriving because of the specialized microclimate. The hardening off process this year has been difficult because nighttime temperatures are still low. We have had some great sunny, warm days but the nights are still pretty tough on the plantlets.

Tell-tale “hand season” in Palmer, Alaska—This is the time of year where one’s hands announce one’s life. At the end of winter, our human hands are perhaps a bit calloused from some shoveling. Maybe there is a finger scrape from a ski pole or hauling some firewood. But our hands are in pretty good shape…….and ready for the spring and summer slaughter. As the ground melts, the shovels come out. The picks, the saws, the cutters, the whackers, the clippers, and the scythes all jump up and are ready for use. And our hands, despite gloves, start working hard and long. Injuries and aches come with the territory. Dirt shows. Blisters show. Stickers and splinters show.

Honest Story—Our human hands tell the honest story and this is the big reveal time of year. If you are a builder, it shows. If you are a gardener, it shows. If you are a painter, it shows. If you are a farmer, it shows. If you are a fisher, it shows. If you are a biker, it shows. You only have to glance at a person’s hands right now to tell the real life account. Working hands do not conceal their efforts and working hands tell the truth.

Multi-use Tools—Hands wave and greet. Hands point and instruct. They are directional tools. Hands celebrate with clapping or raising a fist in the air. Hands hold the sad ones and hang on to the weak ones. They rescue and reach and save; they knock on the doors and carry our groceries. Human hands extend out to achieve equality and trust. They walk our dogs and pet our cats. Our hands feed us and put the baby to bed. Our fingers are our counters. Our hands are the tools of compassion and war. Our hands pray and exalt. Our hands join in union. Our hands bless and heal. Our hands are symbols in marriage and justice. Our hands shoot guns, save the wounded or give medicine. Our hands on our hips announce emotion. It really is true what Aristotle said, “The hand is the tool of tools.”

Palmer Hands—So true to form, Palmer hands are a special breed. Farming, yard work, construction, gardening all takes its toll on our hands. We wear bandaids from blisters of hard work and hard play. You will see wrist guards and gloves as part of our normal getup. Bandages and braces are pretty common. Palmer merchants offer a variety of hand creams which sooth aches and arthritis. Local massage professionals and medical healers offer therapeutic or complex hand treatments and procedures to heal and sustain our upper appendages.

Hands Are So Undervalued—It’s only when an injury or accident occurs that we really learn to appreciate the value and necessity of our human hands. Surgery makes you rethink everything. There are some in our community that have lost their physical hands or the ability to use their hands. We need to recognize and support these people with great respect and care.

Barbara Hunt is both Palmer writer and artist. She works hard to keep the robust pulse of Palmer, Alaska. She shares the good stuff on the weekly Palmer Alaska Buzz 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