The only movement

in the world is the dawn’s bright

diamond necklace stringing itself

across the new horizon. 

~ Rod McKuen

“Be Kind,” the front plate read on a car I spotted in a parking lot. Be Kind. That phrase sort of stuck in my head all week. The more I thought about it and mulled it over, the more such simple words rang true and to the point. Well, maybe it was a reminder to us all, I thought. Sometimes you see something, just out of the blue, and it’s the lesson you needed most.

Most of the time, I do try to be kind, without trying. Sometimes, it’s an effort, especially if someone may not exactly deserve your kindness. But once you practice it as often as possible, it becomes a way of life.

Every day, I ask myself if I was kind to something, someone, somehow in some fashion, in some way. In line at the grocery store, the fellow in front of me didn’t have the requisite savings card, so I lent him mine. That didn’t hurt a bit. One day, I swallowed back the sage advice I was going to give a friend, and just listened (now that is hard to do when you’re itching to put your two cents in!).

On a chilly morning while digging in the garden, I discovered a cold lizard trapped in the outdoor potting sink. Gently scooping him up, River dog and I hunted for a sun-warmed rock for our little friend. I don’t know if Mr. Lizard was more glad to be freed of the sink prison, or warmed by the sun—but I do think after a few minutes, he had a little smile on.

I do know it felt good to be kind, even to the smallest of critters. Just don’t ask how kind I was to the fat fly that buzzed all through the kitchen. He’s not around to tell about it.

Saluda Tailgate Market is now open on Fridays from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the city parking lot off Main Street. Offerings include local honey, produce, delicious baked goodies, plants, and more.

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

Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) benefits from your donations or time as a volunteer for their many community projects. “Walks in the Woods” are on the first and third Sundays each month. Free swimming lessons will be at Twin Lakes this summer. Contact SCLT at 828-749-1560 or visit www.saludasclt.org.

Donations to help support Saluda Historic Depot can be sent to P.O. Box 990, Saluda, NC 28773 or on the HistoricSaluda.org. Saluda Train Tales are held on the third Friday each month April through October. The next one is May 20 at 6:30 p.m. The depot is open Thursday through Sunday, noon – 4 p.m. Saluda Art Legends – Past & Present is the current exhibit at the depot featuring 17 Saluda artists. Fifty percent of proceeds from sales go toward the purchase of the depot and creation of a heritage and train museum.

All veterans are invited to a free breakfast May 20, 8-11 a.m. at Ward’s Grill.

The 13th annual Saluda Arts Festival is May 21 with art, music, food and fun all day in Saluda. The Dancer’s Extension will present their sixth annual Spring Concert at Saluda School at 11 a.m. It’ll be a fine spring day here in Saluda, so come spend it with us!

There will be a community potluck and bingo evening at Saluda Center, May 30, 6 p.m. Bring a covered dish to share.

Happy May birthday to Amy Copeland, Corinne Gerwe, Chris Anderson, Mark Jackson, Cary Pace, Lisa Hipp, Trevor Young, Jemme Latell, Paul Marion, Jesse Thomas, Margaret Sease, Elizabeth Baldwin, Chad Baldwin, Lynn Cass and Thelma Jones. Please add your name to the list!

Thank you dear readers, for reading this column. It’s always a pleasure hearing from you! My goal is to make you feel like you’re having a front porch visit, enjoying a cool glass of tea, birds, flowers and life in a small town called Saluda.

You can contact me at bbardos@gmail.com or 749-1153, visit bonniebardosart.com for more writing and art, or find me on Facebook.