“I used to climb to the top of one of the huge chinaberry trees, which guarded our front gate, and look out over the world. The most interesting thing that I saw was the horizon. It grew upon me that I ought to walk out to the horizon and see what the end of the world was like.” ~ Zora Neale Hurston, from “Dust Tracks on a Road”

“If I wear this bloomin’ coat ONE MORE DAY, I’m going bananas!”

After single-digit temperatures, almost a foot of snow, frozen roads, a busted furnace and a plumbing issue, I’ve come to recoil from the sight of my gray wool coat. That thing, again! Oh yes, it’s warm and lightweight, but I’m out-of-love with the stuffed polar bear look I’ve got goin’ on around here: long underwear plus two pairs of pants, woolly socks, winter boots, polar vests/shirts/sweaters/jackets, scarves, caps and mitts. Winter is never my favorite time of year; it’s pretty clear why so many people bail out for warmer climes when the thermometer plummets.

A kind soul with a hardy Jeep spirited me off for lunch today. It was as if I’d won the lottery, broken free of jail, escaped the clutches of cabin fever. Of course, for the big escape I changed from gray wool into sporting a red/tan/black wool coat instead. Yes, I’ve become a very colorful polar bear.

Spring, hurry! You can’t come fast enough.

There’s still time to order an engraved brick/paver for Pace Park in the alley by M.A. Pace Store. Drop off applications and payment to City Hall or mail to City of Saluda, 6 Main Street, Saluda, NC 28773. Proceeds will go toward building public restrooms. For information, contact Catherine Ross at 828-749-3534 or carnc@charter.net.

Saluda Welcome Table is every Tuesday at Saluda Methodist Church from 5:30-6:45. All are welcome, donations appreciated.

Learn more about Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) by visiting saludaclt.org or calling 828-749-1560. Monthly meetings are the first Wednesday each month at 3 p.m. at Saluda Presbyterian Church.

The Historic Saluda Committee meets Jan. 13 at 2 p.m. at Saluda Library.

Saluda Downtown Foundation meets on the second Tuesday of the month at Saluda Library.

Saluda Center Potluck and Bingo night is Jan. 30 at 6 p.m.

“Let Us Help You Feel Better” will be presented by SLIP (Saluda Living In Place) at Saluda Center on Jan. 25. Registration is at 9:45 and the talk at 10 a.m. Update: Cindy Gibson of Senior Life Solutions will be the speaker. For information, contact Donna Carson at Saluda Center, 64 Greenville Street, at 749-9245.

Pearson’s Falls is closed through January.

Happy January Birthday to Nora Parks Anderson, Brandy Bradley, Alex Bardos, Carolyn Ashburn, Scott Kinard, Donna Bond, Greer Eargle, Wyatt Alan Pace, Irma Anderson, Paul Aaybe, Phyllis Arrington, Kenneth Justus, Cheryl Harbin, and Avery Lena Mintz. Please add your name to the list; no ages mentioned unless you’re under 2 or over 100!

Get well wishes go to Cissy Thompson who is doing well after knee-replacement surgery—may you be dancing soon!

Thank you for reading this column, dear readers. As ever, the goal is to make you feel like you’re enjoying small town life in a friendly little mountain town called Saluda. Feel free to contact me at bbardos@gmail.com or 749-1153. I always love hearing from you. Or visit bonniebardosart.com for more writing and art, or Facebook.