In August we carried the old horsehair mattress
 To the back porch
 And slept with our children in a row.
The wind came up the mountain into the orchard
 Telling me something:
 Saying something urgent.
 I was happy.
 The green apples fell on the sloping roof
 And rattled down.
The wind was shaking me all night long;
 Shaking me in my sleep
 Like a definition of love,
 Saying, this is the moment,
 Here, now.

~ Ruth Stone, “Green Apples”

August arrives in Saluda, her dusty suitcases packed with summer heat, trailing lush green tendrils along woodland paths, remnants of Queen Anne’s lace, dancing butterflies amid pink mimosa blossoms, green apples in red-slat pails, yellow sunflowers, and drifting spider webs catching luminous moonbeams amid cicada symphonies.

River dog and I perch companionably side by side on weathered porch steps; my fingers rub those velvet-soft bear ears as we lift expectant faces to the moon’s secrets, night sounds rising from woods and water: listening to all the stories being told.

Morning finds me outside sweating, waxing an old “beater” truck donated to my starving-artist-cause by kind friends with big hearts who know a new car ain’t gonna happen ’round here. While the long-suffering car has returned home from the repair shop for the millionth time, it’s time to cut bait and be done. Before something else happens. (Hopefully my AAA card will get a chance to quit smoking from all the use.)

Over the years, the car became a character taking on a role of its own, driving and breaking down repeatedly throughout these columns. It’s a luxury ride in comparison to the truck, but an old truck is simple. Honest. Fun. Fearless of gravel roads, t-shirts, pastures, or hauling heavy loads. An old truck doesn’t ask for much.

It even smells like ‘old truck’: the scent of leather, oil, age, and dry heat. A good smell, full of memories. I can remember my dad’s truck with the very same scent, long ago. Funny how the simplest things are the sweetest. As simple as the truck may be, along with a spruce-up-wax-job, it got zebra-striped floor mats with snazzy hot-pink trim, a bright yellow flower on the dash and a peace sign dangling from the rear-view mirror. A pimped-out ride for sure.

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.

Mark your calendar for the annual Charlie Ward Memorial Pig Out, Sept.12, from 5-7 p.m. at McCreery Park. Music will be by Mountain Roots Band with Jeff Hayes. If you’d like to donate toward this free event, please make your check payable to Saluda Pig Out and take it to Macon Bank, 108 Main Street, or give to Judy Ward at Thompson’s Store, or mail to Saluda Pig Out, P.O. Box 265, Saluda, NC 28773.

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 appreciated. The next “Walks in the Woods” will be Aug. 19. Meet at Saluda Library to carpool. Contact Chuck Hearon for more information at 828-817-0364 or chearon@skyrunner.net. Connect with SCLT at 828-749-1560 or saludasclt.org.

Gigi Dover and the Big Love performs Aug. 14 at the Top of the Grade concert at McCreery Park from 7-9 p.m.

Saluda School will have “Meet Your Teachers” on Aug. 20 from 2-4 p.m. at the cafeteria. The first day of school (mentioned with a whisper) is Aug. 24.  

Pace Park is coming along nicely. Stop by and take a peek. It’s in the alley beside M.A. Pace Store. Pavers may still be purchased at City Hall for $40 each. For information, contact Catherine Ross at 828-749-3534 or carnc@charter.net.

Saluda get well wishes go to Marguerite Hankins.

Happy August birthday to B.J. Kent, Linda Kaye Haynes, Cindi Miller, Paul Stoney, Jen Pace, Zack Pace, Don Mintz, Caroline Tindal, Nora Ward, Samantha Ward, Reeda Ward, Natalie Aabye, Verlie Murphy, and Peter Eisenbrown.

Thank you, dear readers for reading this column! It’s always my goal to make you feel like you’re enjoying a front porch visit 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.