Just as a dancer, turning and turning,

may fill the dusty light with the soft swirl

of her flying skirts, our weeping willow —

now old and broken, creaking in the breeze —

turns slowly, slowly in the winter sun,

sweeping the rusty roof of the barn

with the pale blue lacework of her shadow.

~ Ted Kooser, Winter Morning Walks

Welcome to early December Saluda notes and notations! The air is definitely feeling more in keeping with winter and holiday thoughts. Frost has nipped my garden, but still I found a rose blooming amid the icy sparkles one morning. Sometimes those unexpected moments are the loveliest of all!

There are lots of berries this year, and my front yard squirrel scampers back and forth over the walkway, hiding acorns and other goodies in his secret stash. He knows I dont mean it when I tell him that Im planning a big pot of squirrel stew one of these days if he doesnt leave my bulbs alone. What a rascal!

The laughs on me: One evening, my eyes were tired so I picked up a bottle of lubricating eyedrops kept on hand in the kitchen for those last minute emergencies; of course, I ended up dripping saline nasal drops in my eye instead. Luckily, the drops were slow to get to the eye because being a wimp, I tend to close my eye and drip eye drops at the tear duct area instead of drop them in the center like normal people do! Quickly, I rinsed my eye so much for tired eyes! It was more of a sight for sore eyes, as the saying goes. Will admit that is not the first time Ive done that very trick, so should have known better. (Sometimes it is hard to teach old dogs new tricks.) Double check the bottle label first!

Saluda Hometown Christmas is something we Saluda folks look forward to every year. Shops glow with Christmas lights and warmth people stroll along Main Street, and across the bridge, up the hill: just like they would have decades ago in a different time.

Mark your calendar for December 10; the stroll goes from 6 – 8 p.m.; some spots will be open until 9, and our friendly restaurants will be delighted to feed you the best food around we have excellent fare in town whether barbecue, Mediterranean cuisine, hamburgers, New Orleans delights, baked treats, healthy fare, dog treats, sandwiches, ice cream, light meals, or hearty and our shops/businesses will be open too stop in and say hello. We really are glad to see you!

Up on Greenville Street, the beautifully restored Saluda Inn and Wine Cellar will feature local artists, writers, live music and good wine! Next door, Ill have my Art House going with open studio with a couple guest artists, along with my own art and a friendly Shar-Pei host named Pooh at the door; and up the street the gracious Oaks Bed and Breakfast will be open.

Theres something for everybody in Saluda, so please come and enjoy our charming small town atmosphere and friendly shops. Keep it local support the little guy!

Remember, there will be ecumenical services at Saluda Presbyterian Church at 8:15 p.m. on Friday after the stroll. All are welcome.

On Saturday, Dec. 11 from 9:30 1 p.m., Hometown Christmas is followed by a Childrens Christmas Workshop sponsored by Mountain Life Realty, held at Saluda Volunteer Fire Department on Greenville Street. Children of all ages will make Christmas decorations and crafts.

The Saluda Center will feature a fabulous holiday Christmas Gala on Sat. Dec. 11 from 5 – 8 p.m.; tickets are for sale.

If you have spare time, drop by Autumn Care and visit one afternoon there are folks there who would love to see your smiling face! It doesnt take much to make people happy, and the gift of time is the sweetest you can give. Glenn Pierce, Saluda Autumn Cares administrator, tells me that remodeling is complete and she is proud of the light and bright facility.

A big thank you to Saluda Community Land Trust for their continuing work here in town: whether theyre fighting the kudzu monster, picking up trash along the highway, working on the little park project or one of their many other projects, they can use your time or your money so please remember them with donations of either. I can promise you its a worthy cause.

Happy birthday to Rich and Rita Igoe, Karen Johnson, Marsha Jenkins, Nancy Barnett, Dawn Pearson, Charles Pearson, Dusty Jespersen, Gwen Garren, Stoney Lamar, Jim Boyle, Tom Ellwood, Frank Beeson, Elaine Carr, and Wendy McEntire. Please add your birthday to the list! Age not mentioned, unless youre under 2 and dont mind yet.

Thank you for reading this column; as ever, the goal is to make you, dear reader, feel like youre enjoying a front porch visit with meyour comments are always wanted and valued. (With colder weather here, well find a cozy spot in the house for hot tea instead.) Keep in mind if you have something of note, feel free to e-mail me at bbardos@gmail.com; or call me at 749-1153. You may also visit my website at bonniebardos.com.