I probably take it for granted – Alaskans are either amazingly tough or just plain oblivious. The one’s I know, who have heated garages, are on the grid, and rely on indoor plumbing are oblivious because they are protected from the elements. The ones I know who don’t have heated garages, are off the grid, and rely outdoor plumbing are just plain tough.

Bottom line is, I have not heard anyone complain about the adverse weather conditions this winter, no not a one.

Tirp to town

This morning I was at the Palmer Senior Center, and at first, no one was there. Then people began trickling in and began getting books. The weather was a topic of conversation for just a few minutes – then we started talking about books. Any place else, and weather related conversations would have gone on for some time.

When, finally, I had the books that were left packed up, I headed in the direction of the Historic Eagle Hotel. There, Pam, who is now the project office manager, was waiting. I asked her how the drive was, and she said that because she lives close (close being about two miles distant) that it wasn’t bad.

I didn’t think any volunteers would show up, but one by one they all did. I asked each and every one about the driving, and they had little if anything to say.

I should add here that the driving was downright nasty. The snow/rain was coming down fast, in a straight line, and the berms were hard to see around.

I, who am not as oblivious or as tough as any of these people, wanted to shout, “what gives? Any time you go out there, you take your life in your hands! You should be shaking in your winter boots.”

But no, that’s just not the mind set of those who live around here.

And really, Palmer and parts thereabouts is not really Alaska. It’s really a bedroom community of Anchorage and Wasilla both. In time, it will be consumed by both; then the pretense of a town will be gone.

Tonight, as Pete and I were leaving the hotel, we stepped out into the parking lot, and there was Cherokee, in her black hooded cape, shoveling the front hotel parking lot. She was doing this because she wanted to do this.

Moments before, she showed me her footwear. She was wearing plastic bags that she’d taped to her feet. She had put her cleats on over the bags. I said to her that I knew of people (myself included) who’d paid highd dollar for gaiters.

There is much to be learned from the likes of Cherokee. It seems to me at times that the less some have, the more resourceful they become.

I think that in fact Pete and I have become less resourceful. This is, in part, because his being a good financial manager has meant that we have come better off.

Still, we fit into the tough, not the oblivious category.

Next: 341. 12/13/23: Blue Sky and Sunshine