“…almost like clockwork: the leaves drift away 

From their branches and gather slowly at our feet, 

Sliding over our ankles, and the season begins moving 

Around us even as its colorful weather moves us, 

Even as it pulls us into its dusty, twilit pockets. 

And every year there is a brief, startling moment 

When we pause in the middle of a long walk home and 

Suddenly feel something invisible and weightless 

Touching our shoulders, sweeping down from the air: 

It is the autumn wind pressing against our bodies;  

It is the changing light of fall falling on us.” 

~ Edward Hirsch, excerpt from “Fall” 

 

Whiteness of a foggy day blankets the landscape outside, creating an ethereal painting where branches stretch dark lines in the lightness.

It’s not raining now, although the earth is damp—a good day for a cup of steaming wild orange tea and a slice of homemade lemon pound cake from the tailgate market as I write. The English would wait til 4:00 to have high tea, but River and I cave by 3:30, blaming it on heavy fog and cool temperatures. (Yes, River dog has treat stashes throughout the house, ranging from front door, living room, to kitchen.) It’s hard to believe last Saturday morning I was out dividing iris plants, working more on the front sidewalk strip project, puttering around, cutting fragrant pink roses–being that the sidewalk strip was a larger project than first mentioned in a previous column, I started off with working on half.

By the time the old Mantis tiller started leaking gas and I was dripping sweat, I called it a day on tilling for a bit. However, a large rock dredged up by tilling has been added to the landscape for effect. Pine needles hold down the soil, offending piles of grass go into heaps, banished to composting. So far, I’ve planted pink sedum, lavender chrysanthemums, airy pink mondo grass, yarrow, mullion, day lilies, rosy coreopsis, oregano, lemon sedum, lenten rose, iris, salvia, and more; plus a few stepping stones near the mailbox.

It’s a lot of work for a seemingly “small” project! Right now, it doesn’t look like much, although my back will attest that it IS much! Just about every plant has come from Pooh’s Garden in the back yard, or other areas: with the exception of a few, such as the pink mondo grass—the goal was to use what I had on hand, and ‘recycle’ without spending much money (if any). Once I figure out the gas leak on the fuel line, I’ll resume sweating and digging again.

 

Saluda Tailgate Market continues through October from the West Main Street parking lot 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. with fall produce and friendly folks. Last Friday’s market had a vendor with beautiful ribbons of ginger plants for sale: to be wintered over in a basement and planted in spring, jams and jellies, glass jars of Saluda honey with enticing flavors, crisp apples, fresh trout, local beef, moist cakes, plants for the garden, and more.

Saluda Welcome Table is every Tuesday; dinner from 5:30-7 p.m. in the fellowship hall of Saluda United Methodist Church. All welcome; donations accepted.

Keep up with all that Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) does by visiting saludaclt.org or calling 828-749-1560. The next Walks in the Woods event will be October 19; meet at 2 p.m. at Saluda Library parking lot for carpooling.

Saluda Garden Club meets October 20, 10 a.m. at library for carpool to a garden tour.

Veterans, come for a free breakfast on October 23 from 8-10 a.m. at Ward’s Grill, sponsored  by Judy Stroud, State Farm Insurance and Cathy Jackson Realty.

There’ll be a community potluck and bingo, Saluda Center, October 27, 6 p.m. Bring something to share!

The Saluda Halloween Stroll is Friday, October 31, 3 – 6 p.m. on Main St.

Mark your calendar: the annual Saluda United Methodist Church’s Turkey Dinner will be held on   November 8, Saluda School cafeteria, 5 – 7 p.m.

Saluda Sympathy goes to the families of Lloyd Thompson, Ida Thompson Bright, and Cindy Ho.

Happy October Birthday to Patricia Case, Joan Barker, Gary Corn, Aaron Bradley, Amanda Burrell, Lisa Orr, Marilyn Prudhomme, Bubba Dawson, Kirby Jackson, Mary Ann Asbill, Sheila Billeter, and Carol Thompson. Please remember to add your birthday to the list!

Thank you, dear readers for reading this column. It’s my goal to make you feel as if you were enjoying a visit on the porch swing on a golden October afternoon. Please feel free to contact me at bbardos@gmail.com; or 749-1153. You may also visit my website at bonniebardos.com for more writing and art, or find me on Facebook.