Week of the Autumn Equinox

It’s officially fall and the Autumn Equinox happened yesterday. Our day and night is now divided equally. We will now have less than 12 hours of daylight for a few months.

Palmer Welcomes the Dark Season—It’s nothing to be scared about….it’s just the approach of our darker season. We survive and thrive during the dark season by adding lights and joy to our lives. In our Palmer area, this isn’t a problem. Palmer has dozens and dozens of events which speak to our robust and lively community, especially in the winter months.

Palmer’s Autumn Equinox really is the point where our days and nights are equally long. Let’s prepare to say a respectful hello to the impending dark. We also give thanks to the waning sunlight, as we store our harvest of this year’s crops. This is the time for heavy sweaters and foraging. We watch the snow creep down the mountains. Since we’ve not had a deep freeze yet, please celebrate. Once the big freeze happens, we’re all in and all done. But until that time, let’s enjoy warmth from the daytime sunlight.

Sweet New Asphalt—There is nothing nicer than the new strip of dark smooth asphalt. It’s like a new lease on life…..for a little while. It looks clean and fine. The regular, unwrinkled consistency of fresh asphalt offers no lumps, no holes, no cracks, no chop, no crevasses and no projections. It is like a love letter to you and your vehicle. I am mesmerized by new asphalt. I want it to never stop. A new stretch of renewed road is an indicator of progress and an example of dealing successfully with a difficulty. I want this metaphor to apply to parts of my life. Politics. Community Problems. Disagreements. Grudges. Why can’t we just dig out the bad icky stuff, haul it away, and replace it with a smooth and calm, solid level base?

Construction Zones—It’s been hard this year at times. The Glenn Highway, the Old Glenn, Clark Wolverine, and a variety of other Palmer area roads have been seeing construction and traffic hold ups. People seem to get really upset. I think we need to realize that this construction will ultimately make everyone’s lives easier. We kinda need to learn how to breathe during a traffic line up. The rest of the world has road construction nearly year round and it isn’t squashed into the 100 days of summer. Perhaps we just aren’t used to it or perhaps it feels more intense. Waiting in traffic is a norm elsewhere. We don’t have a horrible “rush hour” in the Palmer area; we have a “rush 10 minutes” a few times a day. So when the occasion arises for sitting in a traffic jam, we need to relax and count our blessings.

Glenn Grief—This past weekend was a snarly long line up on the Glenn. Folks were rightfully frustrated and angry because the construction project did not go as planned. Even DOT (Department of Transportation) was apologetic over the delays and inconveniences. What can we do when we are stuck in our vehicle in the icky traffic line? Here are a few suggestions: Look around and name all the mountain tops that surround you. Appreciate that you are stuck in traffic in the most beautiful place on earth. Consider that this is an opportunity to observe nature without any interruption. How often are we rushing around and we don’t have the chance to just stop, ponder, and be still? If this is too organic for you here are some other suggestions: Push back your cuticles. Reprogram your radio. Call your Mother. Clean the dashboard. Organize your console. Sing. Pray. Meditate. Do the Alphabet Game. Make a To Do list. Listen to an Audio Book, Ted Talk or good music. Ultimately have some empathy for the construction workers and others around you. Let’s applaud the work that is getting done.

Palmer Peeps—Enjoy your fall festivals and stay safe! The Palmer Buzz Community Calendar is practically ready. You will see it in October!!!!!!!!

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 “2022 Palmer Buzz Community Calendar” is available at Palmer shops and museum in October. Contact at bhunt@mtaonline.net or text 907.315.3222