rhapsodic.org · weblog · The Tundra Requires Scarves

The Tundra Requires Scarves

I live in the tundra. I mean, technically, Fairbanks isn’t located on tundra. But I don’t have to go far to see tundra.

You people with your sun and sandy beaches and shopping malls and civilization, what do you know of the tundra? Of permafrost and frost heaves and polar bears and penguins? Yes, the interweb may know, but I am talking to you. You there with the funny glasses and the lackluster gaze. That’s what I thought.

So. The arctic tundra is a cold place. Think really cold, and then subtract about a bajillion degrees. I understand this and, as living where I do is a choice, I am pretty much okay with it.

Until I lose an article of warm gear. Like the scarf I haven’t seen since Friday at the ice park. The scarf I haven’t seen since I said goodbye to Steve. And maybe I dropped it in the parking lot. Maybe I lost it on the ice slide.

But if Steve is sniffing it in the comfort of his own bed right this moment with a wild look in his eyes, then I am glad all he took is my scarf. And also, seriously, knock it off with the creepiness, Steve.

I searched all over town today to get a brand new scarf, a scarf that will undoubtedly cost money unlike my lost scarf that I rescued from a FREE box at a garage sale a few years ago. But! It could be a scarf that matched something I owned! A scarf that framed my cuteness! A scarf that I fell in love with!

Only, all of the Fairbanks commerce scene is sure that March Means Spring, Dammit! And, as such, winter gear is OUT and the flip flops are IN. No one has scarves? How can this be?

I had my choice of a pepto-pink scarf with awful pom-poms in the clearance bin of one store or shelling out $40 for some piece of fleece with “Columbia” printed delicately on one end.

Two options. In all of town. In all of the arctic tundra that was ten below zero today.

I managed to snag one from the thrift store, the only one in the entire store. While it doesn’t match a thing I own, it doesn’t necessarily clash. And it should keep me warm.

At least until some internet creep steals it from me.

7 love notes

I will knit you one…what color? It can be fuzzy. Although, some internet creep might enjoy that more.

Your Mom sent us all beautiful ones, for Valentines. I wore mine tonight.

Or I could mail you some of Melissa’s old fleace hats. There is one so long it would wrap around your neck and face many times. Byrd is so cute in it, she is all hat.

ditto: what color? while i have no manual dexterity whatsoever, my mom is absolutely brilliant with both hand crocheting and machine knitting. she made me this scarf back in hs that i still have, which is black and fuzzy, and about 8 feet long, with pockets on both ends.

want one of those?

don’t you have a special break glass in case of emrgency back up scarf? dare I say what we all must be thinking. I don’t live anywhere near the tundra but even I have at least two scarves.

perhaps soxs and a stappler?

Man, here if you need anything winterish after DECEMBER, you are totally out of luck.

What color do you want and how long?

What’s ironic is that down here in Perpetual Spring, California, I found a whole rack of really nice scarves at the grocery store yesterday.

I love - love your ice pictures. Wish I could see them in person.