Watch the snow creep come down the mountain

This is a fantastic visual that we all know well. Daily we look to the mountains to see the snow line creeping down. It isn’t a straight line, as illustrated, in the above simplified painting. But it is based on elevation and geology. I think many of us watch the “snow-creep” line carefully both with a strange mixture of interest and joy; but not without a feeling of surrender and acceptance.

Palmer Safety First and Last—Safety is not just a noun; it’s also a verb, as in “safety up.” Lock your doors. Secure your stuff. Report suspicious things. Upgrade your Neighborhood Watch. Be careful in dark parking lots. Keep your eyes open. Don’t be passive. Walk with friends. Talk to your neighbors. Don’t turn a blind eye to the homeless. Make the call. If you see a marauding moose or a scary stranger, let people know. If you see youth being reckless in the roadways (or doing some stupid and dangerous) call it in or post it. Be prepared for winter and cold and snow and ice on the roads. We don’t have to be “locked and loaded,” but we have to be alert and anticipatory.

Alert Helper—Does the above paragraph imply that Palmer is crime-ridden? Absolutely not. However, it does mean that we must “up our game” as citizens and residents and watch out for others. And be a helper. Support our public health and safety efforts. Don’t be scared to help a stranger, but be careful and aware of your environment and surroundings.

Recent troubles—Last week, in different parts of Palmer, a few parked cars were victim to potential car theft. This is disconcerting at many levels. Call 911 immediately. Turning on lights and alarms are obviously going to discourage this. But perhaps more important is being aware and being a good neighbor. This means have neighborhood phone numbers at the ready. Thieves do not want an audience.

Season of Desperate Black Flies—On your south wall, in the sun, they rest. Waiting. Waiting for the little crack to get inside your warm house. The Black Flies of Fall are fighting to survive. Cats play with them as autumn entertainment. And this large hatch of flies will continue until really good cold temps. And then they’re toast. Adios, black flies.

Murder on the Water Tower

Yes, it was a stunning scene, right on the very top of the water tower. An unnamed source reported the murder on late Sunday afternoon. It seems there were a great number of ravens warming their tail feathers on the sunny reflective surface of the water tower tank. And, the plural name for a group of ravens, is a correctly termed “murder.” Clever source!

Palmer is Prepping for Winter

Palmer winterizing is at full tilt. Tire shops are booked. Last minute outdoor projects are being thrown together in overdrive. Frosty gutter cleaning is a popular destination. Furnace filters and furnace technicians are in demand. There may be a few more days for sealing decks but you’re gambling this late in the season. More than a few homeowners have been sadly surprised with their outside frozen spigot because they didn’t disconnect their hoses. It doesn’t take much of a freeze to jam up that water system. Snow shovels are being retrieved, along with snow tires. Also look for that ice scraper and throw it in the car along with an extra blanket. Antifreeze is being added, but don’t spill any on the ground or you could kill your pet. Check your fire extinguisher and smoke alarms. Extra water bottles don’t do well in the car once it freezes but snacks keep pretty well. Folks are putting up vegetables with a vengeance and pulling in plants. Washing windows will help our shy sunlight come through during winter. And loading up on the little fairy white lights will help to keep things happy as the dark season starts to settle in. So much work is getting done, it makes you want to move south or start hibernation.

Northern Lights Over Palmer—Our aurora is so welcome. Our dancing lady of the night sky is back. It’s hard to describe but it was thready and swirly and distinct—with purples and greens and neon pinks. A Northern Light hotline commentary is always live on Palmer Alaska Buzz facebook page. Hop on social media to keep up with all the buzz.

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.