“…I see when I walk how well all things

lean on each other, how the bees work,

the fish make their living the first day.

Monarchs fly high; then I understand

I love you with what in me is unfinished.”

 ~ Robert Bly, excerpt from “In the Month of May”,
from Selected Poems

Since last week’s column started off with escapades of goats, for this week it’s time to bring up something that really does get my goat. Maybe I really am a curmudgeon; maybe others don’t mind and love it but I’m going to stick my neck out and say how much call waiting bugs me. You’re talking to a friend, start in on a good conversation, maybe pour yourself a glass of lemonade.

The next thing you know, there’s a sudden beep-silence-beep because they’ve got a call coming in. The train of thought is lost. You’re no longer on track—you may have been discussing how far it is to dig to China, dinner plans, stock options, politics, or how to make a ‘mater sandwich. I don’t know, but whatever it was gets lost.

I do not have call waiting, caller ID, or such because it costs $6 extra a month (I’d rather use that on a pack of hotdogs). If you call me, and start yacking away about such and such, I don’t want you to suddenly say “Oh! Gotta go! I’ve got a call coming in!” Uh uh. That’s rude. It makes the person you’re actually talking to realize they’re chopped liver, kicked to the curb, done with. A new call is more important.

Seems to me if you’re talking to someone, you finish the conversation rather than derailing it for whoever is calling (unless it’s an emergency call from the hospital or such — then for goodness sake, take it!). Otherwise, let ‘em wait their turn to talk about ‘mater sandwiches or such. Like in the old days. Line’s busy, call back. It’s that simple. Excuse me while I hang up—something’s got MY goat!

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

Saluda Welcome Table is every Tuesday: dinner 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 online at HistoricSaluda.org. Saluda Train Tales are held on the third Friday each month April through October. The depot is open Thursday through Sunday noon – 4 p.m. A beach and shag night fundraiser is tonight, 6 – 10 p.m. at the Back Alley Barn behind Thompson’s Store.

“Going Home: Saluda’s Music Traditions” premieres June 4, 7 p.m. (free admission) at The Party Place & Event Center. This film was produced by the Historic Saluda Committee and the Polk County Film Initiative.

Many Saluda folks are featured in this film, some no longer with us, but all are part of what makes this a special place: Dr. George Jones, Cornelius Pace, Dr. D. Lesesne Smith, James Metcalf, Leon Morgan, George Washington Metcalf, R. Clark Thompson, William “Billy” Morris, John T. “Jack” Coates III, Bill Pace, Roy Lee Johnson, Jr., Pauline Gordon Corn, Marion Gordon, Bill Holbert, Adger Pace, Todd Neel, Bob Buckingham, Stoney Lamar, Susan Casey, Selena Metcalf Middleton, Pearlie Mae Suber Harris, Rev. Lester Suber, Cater Leland, Jr., Tim Hoots, Anita Pace Hoots, Dr. Jerry “Doc” Russell, Bob and Linda Whitaker, Hilda Pace, Sheila Russell, Hope Pace, Anita Ogden Moore, Nancy “Nicky” Ogden Keller, Faye Russell Chandler, Lloyd Thompson, George Johnson, Perry Como, Lola Ward, John Jacob Niles, Aaron Burdett, Kathleen Stephenson Jolley, Cindy Stephenson Tuttle, Martin Anderson and Cathy Jackson.

Featured musicians are Aaron Burdett and band, Elizabeth Neely, Hannah Seng, June Maugery, Bob Whitaker, Kathleen Stephenson Jelly, Alan Dillman, John Crutchfield, Will McIntyre, Todd Neel, Tellico, J. Larry Keith, Bill Holbert, James Metcalf and the Colt Creek Band, Bob and Amy Buckingham, Phil and Gaye Johnson, Changed, Perry Como and others.

For music at the park, enjoy Mainline Sunday Concerts, June 5, 4-6 p.m. at Top of the Grade Park at McCreery Park. The next Top of the Grade Concert is June 10 from 7-9 p.m.

Plan ahead for a citywide yard sale event June 18 (7 a.m. – 3 p.m.) at Saluda School’s tennis courts, McCreery Park, Pavilion and around town. To reserve a free space, request a sign, or for more information, call 828-749-3789.

On June 26 from 1:30-7 p.m., Steamy Mug is hosting a block party to raise money for Saluda’s McCreery Park’s master park plan fund and help make the park handicap accessible along with improving the park for families and kids. There will be vendors, live music, barbecue, drinks, fun for the kids, bachelor auction and silent auction. Tickets available now.

Coon Dog Day is July 9.

Happy June Birthday to Nancy Barnett, Verne Dawson, Peggy Ellwood, Anna Jackson, Charlie Jackson, Amy Violet Ford, Terry Arrington, Julie Arrington, Susie Welsh Hearn, Jeremy Edwards, John Savage, Eleanor Morgan, Mary Lu Price, and Sigi Hendrickson.

Garden Notes: this recipe for weed killer was in last week’s column, and somewhere between here and there, a copy gremlin ate “two” cups of Epsom salts. Here it is again, and thank you to reader Joe Landwehr for his eagle eye for noticing something missing! Combine two cups Epsom salts, gallon of white vinegar, ¼ c. original (blue) Dawn dish-washing detergent in a sprayer, vanquish the enemy with glee. (Be sure to apply on a sunny day when no rain’s expected.)

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, flowers and life in a small town called Saluda. You can contact me at bbardos@gmail.com or 749-1153, visit my website at bonniebardosart.com for more writing and art, or find me on Facebook.