The winter solstice has come and gone. Are we just imagining or do the days seem a wee bit longer already? The dark year of 2020 — with small windows of light throughout — is finally coming to an end. Our hopes for the New Year are that life returns to something like we used to know. Our mindset has been so occupied with masks, distancing, small gatherings and hyper-cleanliness that it almost seems like a new normal.
Watching several Christmas movies in a row over the past week, I was struck by how our new parameters have crept into our consciousness. Seeing a big gathering of people or two folks close-talking loudly conjures up images of the insidious new villain laughing all the way in the ride on the tiny droplets. It is a villain with no tears for the harm it has inflicted. Unlike Godzilla and King Kong, who were monsters that demonstrated feelings, coronavirus shows none. The wake of its damage has spread far and wide.
There is a tradition attached to the winter solstice called the Viking toast. Even though our gatherings are much smaller this year, it could be done online with family or friends. A head’s-up to the gatherers is appropriate as it takes some forethought for some. The toast is first — a tribute to someone who has done something noteworthy and inspiring to the person offering the toast. The boast is next. This is a time to celebrate a personal win in the last year. Last, an oath — a goal for the future with the confidence to achieve it.
The Viking toast is a great way to dig a little deeper than chitchat and to accentuate the positive in this year of challenges.
On another note: It’s not a secret that we get a ton of snow in Mazama. We’ve had more than a few snowstorms that take us days to dig out of. Our homes nestled in the snow-laden trees look very much like the winter screen saver on TV or a snow globe on steroids. The obvious hazards with so much snow are related to our vehicles.
The COVID Café in Edelweiss invites socially distanced conversation.
The last storm and cold temperatures turned portions of Highway 20 into a skating rink. More than once, we observed car wrecks as a result. It is imperative to drive defensively for the conditions if you don’t want to end up on your side in the ditch or sliding toward an oncoming car. There are many shady spots on the highway that are notorious for ice, and losing control on ice is a very frightening experience. Please slow down.
Another important factor of all our snow is getting our lanes and driveways plowed and cleared. The people who provide this service start their work around 2 a.m. or 3 a.m. and work long days to accommodate all the clients. There are so many uncontrollable factors that go into snow removal — condition and amount of snow, amount of people in a residence, equipment breakdowns, employee illness, and timing of the storms. Please be kind and respectful to these hard-working folk. Without their work, snowshoes are the alternative.
Finally, some innovative folks on Bitterbrush Road in Edelweiss — Pete Speer and Marian Osborne — created a COVID Café in their garage. Its seating capacity is four, but if more than four people show up, they can stand outside the garage and engage in lively, socially distanced conversation. Marian offers that the café has effectively softened the “wearing isolation we are all experiencing these days.”
Those who have frequented the café offer five-star rave reviews including for “service,” which includes a hot bag of popcorn and self-serve BYOB (bottle or blanket)! A review for “value” epitomized the COVID Café: The hosts were welcoming, great conversationalists, informative, and demanded no remuneration. Check for reservations!
Happy New Year (we hope)!
