By Bonnie J. Bardos 

 

 

“It may be that when we no longer know what to do, 
we have come to our real work 
and when we no longer know which way to go, 
we have begun our real journey. 

The mind that is not baffled is not employed. 
The impeded stream is the one that sings.”

~ Wendell Berry

 

This has been the summer of love. Love of tomato sandwiches, that is. Thanks to good souls who share their garden bounty, in the past few weeks I’ve eaten my weight in juicy tomato sandwiches. (I can hear the twitters from the peanut gallery on THAT remark!) These deliciously simple rites of summer are usually prepared directly beside the kitchen sink, and eaten while hanging (and dripping) over it. Soft white bread, Miracle Whip and no other, with a slight sprinkle of sea salt on ripe-red tomato slices are close to heaven.

 

For anyone who dares use an anemic grocery store so-called tomato in such a sandwich, all I can say is: “Do. Not. Do. It.” That includes storing tomatoes in the refrigerator: it’s a no-no. A proper ‘mater is juicy, warm, and scented like a tomato. Some of you swear by mayonnaise and can fight to the end about Duke’s or Hellman’s, but I have iron-clad rules set in stone about my likes and tomato sandwiches since childhood, so that’s not changing. Some of us are stubborn.

 

Yes, sometimes you just have to be set in your ways, be a troublemaker indeed. As proof, I will also attest to saying “warsh” the clothes and I warshed the dishes as well, despite years of being teased by my own son about my Suth’ren vernacular and gleeful butchering of the Queen’s English. After all, I know what I’m saying! Or should I say, warshing. Now ya’ll pass that ‘mater sandwich this-a-way! Warsh your hands first.

 

Saluda Tailgate Market is Friday from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the city parking lot off Main Street. This time of year you’ll find fresh local summer produce, along with honey, flowers, trout, meats and more.

 

Saluda Welcome Table is every Tuesday, with dinner from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall of Saluda United Methodist Church. All are welcome; donations are accepted.

 

Saluda Community Land Trust has Wednesday swimming through Aug. 26 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Twin Lakes. There is no lifeguard on duty, children must have adult along. Donations are appreciated. Contact SCLT at 828-749-1560 or visit saludasclt.org.

 

Saluda School may still be out for summer vacation, but you can still collect box tops! Collection containers are located in Saluda Library, Saluda Post Office and at the school.   

 

Saluda sympathy goes to the family of Max McGinnas. Max was a long-time member of the Masonic Lodge, involved with the United Methodist Church, and often was spotted downtown Saluda ringing the bell near M.A. Pace Store at Hometown Christmas. He will be missed.

 

Happy July Birthday to Doris Marion, Debi Thomas, Rheta Foster, Nancy Weinhagen, Lisa Obermiller, Kathy Thompson, Bill Jameson, Emily Rose Ford, Jeremy Ford, Mike Cass, Emma Jean McGraw, Nathen Pack, Melissa Justus, Hunter Justus, Alyssa Justus, Tona Justus, and Lynn Savage.

 

Garden tips: keep flowers dead-headed to encourage more bloom and collect seeds for next year’s garden. When temperatures are hot and humid, thoroughly clean hummingbird feeders frequently and keep fresh sugar water in place. It’s easy to make your own. Use one part sugar to four parts water; dissolve sugar in boiling water, cool. I don’t use any red coloring in mine, which is better for the feisty little fellows who EXPECT their feeders to be kept full!

 

Thank you, dear readers for reading this column! It’s always my goal to make you feel like you’re having a front porch visit, enjoying a summer-sweet and slower pace of life in a small town called Saluda. If you have something of note or a birthday to add to the list, feel free to contact me at bbardos@gmail.com or call 749-1153. You may also visit my website at bonniebardos.com or find me on Facebook.