This is now.
And this is what is coming, in NOAA weather speak: “Winter weather advisory from 3 pm this afternoon to 6 am AKST Weds Mar 10.” Reading down the lines, the storm is hardly worth a warning. 3-5 inches of snow is all, mainly between Mud Bay and Klukwan. March is such a manic month, and this one even more so. It’s been a year since the pandemic began. A year. Remember when we guessed it may last until June, and thought that was forever? Alaska is about to be nearly all vaccinated. (Well, those who choose to, and thankfully, it’s a lot, especially here in Haines. Everyone in our family. Pretty much all of our friends.) The last wave will dip way down to 16 year-olds.
We went to the brewery for a beer. The family has all been to dinner. Three big times now. I’m back at the early bird swim at the pool. The sauna is open. The Haines Borough decided so many of us are vaxed, and that the risk is so very low, that they lifted the mask mandate in Borough facilities. Although this morning the swimmers were masked in the pool lobby out of concern for the people who are still waiting on shots. There are second jabs still to come, and more folks are scheduled for first shots at the end of the month. I think it’s polite and kind to keep them healthy on the home stretch. We are so close. (But as the winter storm following a week of spring sunshine proves, summer is not here yet.) That doesn’t mean I’m not celebrating. Just carefully. Best of all? Those “toys in my attic” no longer reference the Covid crazies–
The bristle blocks can stay on the floor and the bed, and we can’t pick up the puzzle until it’s finished, can we? The kids are back. The daylight is back. The forecast couldn’t be brighter. And what’s a little snow in March except perfectly normal?
