Welcome to our November journey

Palmer Buzz Readers: Welcome to our November Journey—This is the month of 5pm darkness, abundant food, continual gratefulness, little lights, heavy coats, thicker ice, snow shovels, small businesses, turkeys and pie. There will be food bank events, weekly fun runs, Turkey Trots, and Warm Coat Collections. There will be festivities around town frequently.

Wednesday, November 5, 2020—If today is Wednesday, November 5, then that means that big, old Halloween costume time is over. We are adjusting to the awkward time clock change. We have lived through October. Dia de los Muertos is complete along with Saint’s Day. The summer is totally over. The harvest is complete. The season of light is finished. We are now in the waiting time of year. It’s as if this is a great, big pause. We focus on the basic needs like tire changes and shoveling. And we count the days until Thanksgiving. We count the days until: the first substantial snowfall; Palmer winter Holiday festivities and holy days; the Solstice; the New Year 2022; winter break; seed starting; and the days until the swans return. So we wait and we count. The anticipatory joy is subdued but right below the surface. Now is the time to appreciate the warmth and safety of our home and our community.

And finally, election season is over—Regardless of results we have expectations of both Election Winners and Losers: Winners will be gracious and not gloat. They won’t be boastful or ignorant. They won’t spew hate or belittle their opponent. Losers will be gracious and not despair. They won’t be boastful or ignorant. They won’t spew hate or belittle their opponent.

Our country, our state, our Valley and our Palmer area knows how to be graceful in either a win or a defeat. It is up to us to project the peaceful and loyal fortitude to move forward, regardless of the election results.

Important Roles Continue, regardless of Leadership—Despite election results, our lives continue. Our government continues to provide first responders, law enforcement personnel, teachers, health care and service providers. Our ER/Trauma/ICU staff, medical nurses and doctors, fire and rescue teams ready to assist us in the Palmer area. Their jobs do not change with election results. Their mission is to serve. Let’s honor them in a big way this month and not make their jobs harder.

Palmer Raven Hall Dress Rehearsal—Next week is the huge semi-annual Consign49 event at Raven Hall. This week people from all over the valley and Anchorage are collecting and preparing collections, boxes, clothing, tools, books, and decor for the event. Presale is Wednesday night, November 12 and it lasts until Sunday, November 16. Mark your calendar for this great event.

November Activities—This is the time to kick up your Aurora photography You can get out your skis, your sleds, your tires, your snowshoes, your skates and your fat bikes. No longer do you have to worry about garden tasks or lawn upkeep. It’s time to sit back and enjoy those books, baking, quilting and painting.

Palmer Gets Festive—Lights are going up everywhere. There are tree lights and building lights; there are the teeny fairy lights and really cool line lights. The water tower was adorned with all sorts of holiday lights this weekend. Each year it gets better and better. The lights won’t officially be turned on until the second weekend in December at Colony Christmas. This seems way too long to wait but that is the decision of the install crew. And we thank them for doing it.

Palmer Be safe, wear proper footgear, and keep rocks in your pockets—so the wind doesn’t blow you away!

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.. Contact at bhunt@mtaonline.net or text 907.315.3222.