“Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.”
~ Anton Chekhov

Last Sunday evening, after a glorious spring day brimming with sun, breezes, tender-green leaves feathering against blue sky, I fed River dog and leashed him up for an evening walk. Planning to pick creasy greens, wild mint, and sniff every little thing along the way, we headed off. Until I braked to a sudden halt, staring in disbelief at my car’s rear window shattered in a million bits, the car open to the elements. What? At first, I honestly thought I’d lost my mind and was hallucinating! Moving up closer, the truth set in: glass was spread from here to Texas.
Peering inside the car, there were no huge limbs, bricks, or anything to explain the mess; probably a stress fracture. One of those things. We took off down the street, hoping against hope that everything would be back in one piece when returning. Sadly, the glass was still broken; so I hauled out a tarp and covered the yawning chasm up, called insurance to see if I had any help coming. Of course not! There is nothing like Murphy’s Law. What can happen will: just when you least expect it, and you’ll be up the creek, or should we say sitting in the broken glass! I allowed myself a wee bit of moaning and self-pity, then started working on estimates.
The good news is no one was injured: a mobile glass company will come forth this week and bring replacement glass. (Or, I could enjoy the open-air ride: boards, mower, tiller, and other big objects would be easy to haul with no back window in the way.) The bad news is it’s gonna hurt the thin billfold—River’s new job will be begging for spare change on the street corner to help pay for it. (He’s cuter, and will garner more sympathy!)

​Saluda Welcome Table is every Tuesday, with dinner served from 5:30-7 p.m. in the fellowship hall of Saluda United Methodist Church. All welcome; donations accepted.
Saluda Garden Club meets April 21, 10 a.m. at Saluda Library to carpool to Columbus.
Saluda Community Land Trust will have their annual meeting this year at Saluda Center on Greenville Street, April 23 at 6 p.m. with Rob Evans as guest speaker. Visit saludaclt.org for more info or call 828-749-1560. You can pick up a brochure for SCLT’s enjoyable “Walks in the Woods” at the library: some great walks are planned for this year. Thank you, SCLT!
Stop by Saluda Library to see the jade plant on display and purchase a few tickets: it’s going to be raffled at Saluda Community Land Trust’s annual meeting on April 23 (you don’t have to be present to win); proceeds benefit our Saluda Dog Park and new agility course.
There’ll be a community potluck and bingo at Saluda Center, April 28, 6 p.m.
The Saluda branch of Tree City USA meets at 6:15, Saluda Library, on the last Tuesday of each month.
Help our Saluda School out; save box tops! Containers are located at Saluda Library, Saluda Post Office, and Saluda Elementary School Office.
Don’t forget to purchase a brick paver that can have the name of your choice engraved for Pace Park to be located in the alley by M.A. Pace General Store. For information, contact Catherine Ross at 828-749-3534 or carnc@charter.net.
Art Notes: Saluda Art Festival is May 17—plan to enjoy a pleasant spring day strolling around enjoying Saluda and art! The Old Chicken House is open Friday and Saturday through fall. I will have open studio Saturday from 1-3.
Happy April Birthday to: Martha Ashley, Melody Gibson, Dave Prudhomme, Kaye Vazquez, Cindy Keeter, Betty Anna Brown, Marion Fairey, Hope Pace, Diane Pace, Ruth Anderson, Greaton Sellers, Clay Arrington, Bonnie Bardos, Luther Connor, Gary Pace, Doug Honeycutt,  and Niece Lundgren.

Thank you dear readers, for reading this column!  As ever, the goal is to make you feel like you’re enjoying a front porch visit and small town life in a friendly little mountain town called Saluda. You can contact me at bbardos@gmail.com; or 749-1153, visit my website at bonniebardos.com for more writing and art, or find me on facebook.