Yes, yes-- I am just as guilty as the rest of them. By 'them' I mean all the happy Alaskans. As you see, we are once again in a record breaking warm spell. I actually witnessed the afternoon temperature hit a toasty 51 degrees today--with full sunshine to boot!
People are out jogging, skipping, strolling...partaking in lower 48 "fall-like" activities. Not helplessly slogging through the snow, as is normal for Halloween time in Southcentral AK.
You can't escape all the cheerful banter around you either--as folks keep on talking, commenting or just orgasmicly smiling about the weather..
The cat is out of the bag : Alaskans love them some Global warming!
So as a so called "liberal", am I supposed to not enjoy it? Feel guilt instead of insane pleasure at the mere thought of not having to wear my winter boots?
I'll save that thought for another day, for right now I feel the need to just revel in the moment ..
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
The Tradition of the Sauna
For quite some time now, I have been well aware of the Finnish/Baltic/Russian traditional sauna. In other words---a sacred steam bath, historically revered in Northern European countries.
Up until now, I had not thought too much about it--maybe just a passing idea, that worshipping a steamy cabin filled with naked family members was a bit quirky, at best.
But after these many cold and unforgiving Alaskan winters--- I finally get it!
Why would so called 'stoic' Northerners have an almost obsessive relationship with a silly steam bath??
At some time, I was led to believe it was all about bathing. But now that I am older, colder and wiser---I feel that is complete hogwash. Let's consider that maybe these strong, hearty relatives of the Vikings were simply freezing to death ?! I can attest that living in a Northern land, with nothing but winter cold and darkness, leads one to maniacally worship warmth.
We do know the traditional European sauna was historically utilized for enjoyable gatherings and all sorts of ritualistic purposes...
But maybe all the hoopla was never about hygiene after all??...But in fact a perpetual excuse to get back into the sauna and warm up cold Nordic butt ?!!
The terms "hot water vapor" and "spirit" are interchangeable in many of these Northern European languages. And why not?? If a room filled with steamy, warm mist is the only thing that makes life bearable--- better worship it!
Up until now, I had not thought too much about it--maybe just a passing idea, that worshipping a steamy cabin filled with naked family members was a bit quirky, at best.
But after these many cold and unforgiving Alaskan winters--- I finally get it!
Why would so called 'stoic' Northerners have an almost obsessive relationship with a silly steam bath??
At some time, I was led to believe it was all about bathing. But now that I am older, colder and wiser---I feel that is complete hogwash. Let's consider that maybe these strong, hearty relatives of the Vikings were simply freezing to death ?! I can attest that living in a Northern land, with nothing but winter cold and darkness, leads one to maniacally worship warmth.
We do know the traditional European sauna was historically utilized for enjoyable gatherings and all sorts of ritualistic purposes...
But maybe all the hoopla was never about hygiene after all??...But in fact a perpetual excuse to get back into the sauna and warm up cold Nordic butt ?!!
The terms "hot water vapor" and "spirit" are interchangeable in many of these Northern European languages. And why not?? If a room filled with steamy, warm mist is the only thing that makes life bearable--- better worship it!
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Admit You are a Wolf
Listening to public radio this morning, I happened to hear a wise Native woman discussing human prejudices against the royal canis lupus--more commonly known as the wolf. That big, bad wolf-- nemesis of forest dwelling people, ranchers and grandma throughout history. One of the theories presented for this stretch of hatred, was that wolves remind humans of their own worse qualities...
Of course they do!!! Everyone knows that wolves are obsessed with pack behavior--while humans conveniently overlook their own obsessions with discrimination, tribalism, rotary clubs and cliques!! And what about bullying? Wolves would love cyberbullying if only they had access to iphones! Imagine the poor omega wolf getting all those facebook posts: "go away stinky omega, find your own pack... loser....!"
Wolves also tend to hunt in groups and have been observed attacking neighboring wolf packs to obtain their territory (my goodness!) Ever hear of war? A game us "evolved" humans happen to engage in on a regular basis...?
The way I see it, there is no shame in being just like the wolves. Because for every brutal quality they may exhibit--there is also incredible tenderness. Like their efficient system of raising pups as a family pack (must have read Hillary C's 'Takes a Village'...) "Aunt" and "Uncle" wolves willingly babysit, while the alpha wolves go off to explore and hunt. And nobody questions their intelligence or playfulness. Probably should also admire their loyalty--howling to one another in order to locate fellow pack members, then joyfully greeting each other upon return!
Maybe the "wolf mirror" doesn't only reflect what we don't want to see, but also the qualities we think we could use more of?
Of course they do!!! Everyone knows that wolves are obsessed with pack behavior--while humans conveniently overlook their own obsessions with discrimination, tribalism, rotary clubs and cliques!! And what about bullying? Wolves would love cyberbullying if only they had access to iphones! Imagine the poor omega wolf getting all those facebook posts: "go away stinky omega, find your own pack... loser....!"
Wolves also tend to hunt in groups and have been observed attacking neighboring wolf packs to obtain their territory (my goodness!) Ever hear of war? A game us "evolved" humans happen to engage in on a regular basis...?
The way I see it, there is no shame in being just like the wolves. Because for every brutal quality they may exhibit--there is also incredible tenderness. Like their efficient system of raising pups as a family pack (must have read Hillary C's 'Takes a Village'...) "Aunt" and "Uncle" wolves willingly babysit, while the alpha wolves go off to explore and hunt. And nobody questions their intelligence or playfulness. Probably should also admire their loyalty--howling to one another in order to locate fellow pack members, then joyfully greeting each other upon return!
Maybe the "wolf mirror" doesn't only reflect what we don't want to see, but also the qualities we think we could use more of?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
