By Bonnie J. Bardos 

‘The songs of small birds fade away
 into the bushes after sundown,
 the air dry, sweet with goldenrod.
 Beside the path, suddenly, bright asters
 flare in the dusk. The aged voices
 of a few crickets thread the silence.
 It is a quiet I love, though my life 
too often drives me through it deaf.
 Busy with costs and losses, I waste 
the time I have to be here—a time 
blessed beyond my deserts, as I know,
 if only I would keep aware. The leaves
 rest in the air, perfectly still…’

 

~ Wendell Berry, excerpt from “The Sorrel Filly” 


 

There are two big things sitting on my little mind today, dear reader, and as I type your column up, I thought I’d share them with you, although they don’t seem to have any relation to each other. Both are important to my heart is all.

First, I’ve worn the floor bare from pacing. River Dog’s having eye surgery redone—something I didn’t think was possible since the eye was removed when he was in rescue. This house seems so empty without that sweet boy under my feet or curled up nearby to help write or paint. The front porch is forlorn.

The second thing is horrifying thoughts of Duke Energy’s proposed monster power lines looming over Western North Carolina, threatening to come soon.

I don’t want it in my yard, and I don’t want it in yours. I don’t want it period. Now, I know we want and depend on power. I sort of like being able to push the coffee pot switch and get results. Squawks about not being able to use existing lines have come forth from Duke’s corporate headquarters. Nobody wants it, well except them, politicians, and big business. Every month I get a fancy letter from Duke, telling me what my energy usage has been in comparison to other households. I’d rather they give me a credit on the power bill, rather than waste paper and money telling me how well I do.

One evening I stood under peaceful skies and stars, no lights around, watching white mists rise up from Green River and kiss the mountains stretching to the horizon, I could hear those stars sing. We need places to hear those stars sing, to watch and find a sense of wonder and peace at mountains, trees, sky. There’s no sense of wonder at gargantuan power lines and ravaged, raped landscapes.

Every day, I turn lights off when not needed, I cut back. I choose to live with less rather than more. I don’t need to use more than my share, and try hard to reduce my footprint upon this fragile planet. What if we all do that, rather than feel entitled to take and demand more? What if there’s not such a relentless demand for fossil fuels, electricity, water? If everybody reduces consumption on a manageable level, surely it can make a difference. That may be a bit simplistic answer, but think about those blue mountains we all love.

Once it’s gone, folks, it’s gone. You can’t get it back.  Can you hear those stars singing above those trees, those mountains?

Saluda Tailgate Market is Friday from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the city parking lot off Main Street.

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

Saluda Community Land Trust has Wednesday swimming through August 26 from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. at Twin Lakes (no life guard on duty, children must have adult along). Donations appreciated. Connect with SCLT at 828-749-1560 or www.saludasclt.org.

The first day of school is August 24.  

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

Happy August Birthday to B.J. Kent, Linda Kaye Haynes, Paul Stoney, Jen Pace, Zack Pace, Don Mintz, Caroline Tindal, Nora Ward, Samantha Ward, Reeda Ward, Natalie  Aabye, Verlie Murphy, Peter Eisenbrown, Coleman Bradley and Ryan Bradley. Congratulations to Will Justus, son of Jessica and Mark Justus. Will graduated from the Fire Academy—I can remember when he was just a little fellow, being pushed in a stroller by my house!

Saluda Sympathy goes to the family of David Virgil Pace.

Thank you, dear readers for reading this column. It’s 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, call 749-1153, visit bonniebardos.com or find me on Facebook.