“At a few times in my life, I’ve not been aware that I’ve just stepped onto a large X. Change might not be on my mind. Why change? I’ve always admired lives that flourish in place. The taproot reaches all the way to the aquifer, the leaves bud, flourish, fall, and grow again. I like generations following one another in the same house, where lamplight falls through the windows in squares of light on the snow, and somebody’s height chart still marks the kitchen doorway. But there I stand on the X, not knowing it’s time to leap, when, really, I’d only meant to pause.”

~ Frances Mayes, from “Under Magnolia: A Southern Memoir”

Everything changes. The more you think something won’t, the more shocking it is when you look at pencil marks along a doorway, realizing how far away that time was. Or brush your fingers over faded photographs from another generation packed alongside violet ink-stained notes in cardboard boxes, the scent of time dusky, yellow, heavy. Outside, leaves have fallen, snow came, hidden buds form, earth in winter rests.

Crows harass a red-tailed hawk, who takes respite in the bare tulip poplar branches overhead, the crows never letting up. They’re fearless of the enemy, gathered together against their nemesis. The hawk finally takes wing, his uninvited entourage caw, caw, cawing as they escort him toward winter woods. I have to smile at his discomfort as River dog and I pause far below, watching/listening to the drama unfold. Our songbirds are safe for now.

Things change, yet crows and hawks just keep on doing their dance out in nature’s sky. Pencil marks remain, even under new paint.

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

 

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.

 

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, 3 p.m. at Saluda Presbyterian Church.

 

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

 

Sing with the Saluda Community Singers, Tuesdays from 7-8:30 p.m. at Old St. Matthews Church at 396 Irving Street. This is a community chorus, all welcome!

“Let Us Help You Feel Better” will be presented by Saluda Living In Place (SLIP) at Saluda Center on Jan. 25. Registration is at 9:45 and the talk starts 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.

 

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

 

Calling all artists: the Saluda Business Association invites you to enter the juried Saluda Arts Festival on May 20, 2017. Entry deadline is March 17. Visit saluda.com to link to the arts festival page.

 

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.

 

Saluda sympathy goes to the family of Ruth Rhodes.

 

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 find me on Facebook.