In Alaska, nature tells Capitalism to chill
Cowboy love language, memoir-writing, snow, & other sadistic things
Hello, beautiful, lovely winterlings! (or if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, summerlings!)
Today’s post was going to be about making friends with monsters, Oppenheimer, and my grandfather’s role in the making of the atomic bomb… But naw, there’s been way too much drama on the home front that first needs to be put on blast.
Namely, Snowpocalypse in Juneau, Alaska!
Schools here almost never call a “snow day.” But with three feet of snow in the last two days and some broken records, schools have remained closed for the last two days, and everyone’s shoulders hurt from all the shoveling.
Yesterday, I shoveled off my car, driveway, and trampoline. Then I woke up to this:
It’s like cleaning my kitchen while my children are home, or revising my memoir enough not to see the forest for the trees but enough to be confused because I’ve turned around so many times I can’t tell which way is up anymore & the sun is setting & sunlight is dimming and I’m wondering could I die tomorrow and maybe I should just go for a walk, but I’m too deep in this to give it up…
The other day, I read the best quote, although I don’t remember who said it:
Writing a book is just like reading one, except the book is trying to kill you.
Well, winter in Alaska is just like winter anywhere else, except it’s also trying to kill you.
The snow is pretty but also dangerous. I love spending time with my kids, but now they’re screaming and fighting and driving me crazy. (If I say anything incoherent, it’s because I’m writing this while playing a math game with my son, spelling “introduced” to my daughter, feeding kids, breaking up fights, etc., etc.)
And yet, it’s nice they get to do less (even though I’m technically doing more).
The last time nature told capitalism to chill out was on Friday, the 13th of March 2020, when a pangolin? a bat? shut down the world, and suddenly, orcas appeared in the Gastineau Channel.
Which makes one ask: what could happen if we just did less? Asked for less?
Winter lesson #1: Do less. I won’t go into that as I already wrote about less-ness and enough-ness in my newsletter.
Now onto some real sadistic stuff: flat-funding Alaskan schools.
Short version: Alaskan schools are in crisis. Juneau district is talking about doing away with all nonessential classes, including my Spanish teaching job, merging sixth grade into elementary schools, and closing a middle school. My fourth grader is already in a class of 32. Thirty-two!!!!
As a teacher with two young members of our public education system, I have testified, written letters, and brought my kids to hearings to testify. I wrote a song about the budget and performed at open mic and folk fest. I emceed two educational rallies last year, in addition to testifying in person. Still, I lost one of my Spanish teaching jobs.
During this year’s legislative session, a Republican-led committee proposed a bill to increase internet speed in remote villages that also included a $300 base student allocation which would effectively cut the budget by more than half. Despite HOURS of opposing testimony from parents, teachers, and students, the dumb-dumb legislators with their old white beards and hair-sprayed two-storied bangs passed the bill with the intention to “send it to the governor’s desk quickly this year so lawmakers can focus on other issues such as the Permanent Fund dividend and energy.”
Their reasoning: “We don’t look to the future; we just pass bills.” Actual quote.
My friend suggested we bring more cowboy energy and Republican-speak into our next testimony. Maybe then they will hear us!
This leads us to Winter Lesson #2…. speak their love language.
Here are some Republican talking points for the next school budget hearing:
Funding education is patriotic!
Failure to do so will result in more crime!
Do you want Outsiders to steal Alaskan jobs?!
SAY IT LOUDER AND IN ALL CAPS
Granted, you have to be some kind of freak to love living in Alaska, especially during winter. It’s HARD. But so rewarding! Here’s photographic evidence!
And check out this beautiful pink snow cloud blowing off Mount Juneau!
How is your winter going? What lessons is winter teaching you? Tell me in the comments!
Love, Summer
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Wasn’t through...studies show children learn better from paper, books and teachers present in the classroom. But virtual learning is pushed as needed...no concern for those who have no access to internet. Blended education perhaps, but I am thankful for those who continue to speak out...gratitude your way!
All those snowy vistas <3
Have you considered throwing said dumb-dumb legislators into the snow and leaving them there?