From NPR this morning, about Norman Lear’s belief that there are two types of humans, wet and dry: “Dry people were calm, cool, unruffled. Wet people were emotional, and impulsive, and things get to them.”
December 6, weds. On the Chilkat. 10 am, 42 degrees, showers and bright spots, with clouds blowing fast on South winds. Sunrise was at 8:40. Sunset is at 3:07. We will have 6 hours and 27 minutes of daylight today. More or less. It’s staying low on the horizon and clouds are expected to thicken again.
It is the kind of wind that if it were to suddenly quit we would fall over. The snow has been washed mostly away. Climate change here is the difference between rain and snow. Wet and dry. The difference between September and December. Maybe this changeable, blustery weather is why I am a little edgy or maybe it’s all the sharp surfaces exposed after the soft snow melted. Sticks, pointy spruce trees, grasses and rocks.
We began our walk by counting the dogs—we had all four– and by unloading about the news. Wars, climate talks and Liz Cheney and what will happen if HE gets elected? Pretty soon we were planning bunkers across the border.
Then we looked around and calmed down. What does St. Augustine say?– Worry never solved a problem. Rabbi Heschel?— Allow your heart to be amazed. That is why I love these walks, and why I love dogs and my friend Beth for making us go everyday. Even on a wetter than usual December morning it’s beautiful. Wonder-filled.
In sharing this place and praising it, I am willing us all to care deeply for one (or two) patches of earth and all that lives there. If we do that, we have it covered– right? We can save the planet.
Norman Lear divided up the world in two types of people—wet and dry—the wet ones (and he was one, he said) are emotional—we (I am one, too) cry and laugh a lot—(and wet our pants when something is extra funny.)
Being caring and emotional has usually served me well, but was… problematic when I was on the borough assembly. (And no it was never that funny– ) I did write a book about it at least. Old Juneau friends recently read Of Bears and Ballots and sent a card thanking me for the “horrifyingly good read.”
Dec. 6, today, is St. Nicholas Day. He became the model for Santa Claus but was different in a critical way. Santa judges. He knows if you are naughty or nice and brings coal or chocolate accordingly. (Note: even Santa knows coal is bad.) St. Nick on the other hand, gave everyone treats, regardless, to show that God loves us unconditionally. (That’s why he was a saint.)
I have kept that card (by Rie Munoz, my favorite artist) on the table, and I am going to frame it, so I never lose it. Greg Podsiki, my neighbor, and a long-time postal clerk now retired, always decorated the post office for every holiday, and was, and still is, a kind of St. Nick, wrote this note on Facebook recently. Read it carefully because there is a quiz coming.
“For those of you who still send out Christmas cards to your friends and family. It would be wonderful if you wrote the year at the top and signed your first and last name at the bottom. I’m taking a break from decorating. I’ve saved my favorite Christmas cards for 53 years now. I’m sitting in my recliner reading the notes in the cards. Wow…do they bring back memories. Some however are only signed with a first name, and or no year, so it’s hard to place that person. So fun, and sad too , reading these lovely notes. Many friends have gone, but the memory of them comes back alive like it was yesterday.”
After reading this, are you a wet person or a dry person?
Bonus question: Which is better?
(Answer: Neither one. We need the best of both in equal measure.)
