“The sky’s blue was deepening, but there was no darkness. The sun was a wide crescent, like a segment of tangerine. The wind freshened and blew steadily over the hill. The eastern hill across the highway grew dusky and sharp. The towns and orchards in the valley to the south were dissolving into the blue light. Only the thin band of river held a spot of sun…” 

~ Annie Dillard, excerpt from “The Abundance”
(writing about the total solar eclipse in 1979)

There is no end to the planning and speculation about the upcoming eclipse on Monday, a once-in-a-lifetime event, and a reminder how small we humans truly are. If it’s not raining, I plan to be out on a boat at a nearby lake watching.

In ancient times, people reacted in different ways: fear, insanity, or worse. They thought the world was ending, which maybe serves as a reminder to us modern-age folk that with all that is going on, you never know. Me, I just go on, a tiny dot on the map of things, and will stand in awe and reverence at the natural world, and appreciate the reminder that heaven and earth still outrank us all. Mother Nature has it going on.

A person like me has no red button to push, nor wants anyone else to. I just want to watch the blades of grass turn to platinum, and the blue light fade into dark, then a second chance of going back to daylight, all in this lifetime.

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, with dinner served from 5:30-6:45 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. Meet at Saluda Library parking lot at 2 p.m. The August 20 hike is at Grandma’s Mountain, an easy-moderate hike. For information on hikes, contact Chuck Hearon at 828-817-0364 or chearon@skyrunner.net. Wednesdays in August are open swim at Twin Lakes, children must have adult supervision. Contact SCLT at 828-749-1560 or visit www.saludasclt.org. 

There’s a free Veterans’ Breakfast at Ward’s Grill every third Thursday of the month.

Saluda Historic Depot is located at 32 West Main Street and is open Thursday-Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Saluda Train Tales are held on the third Friday each month at 7 p.m. through October. Train Tales tonight at 7 p.m. will feature Bo Brown who will present a history of railroad dining cars and Southern Railway, as well as discuss the SR dining car service including china patterns, silverware, linens, and menus used over 84 years.

Saluda Garden Club meets August 21, 9:30 a.m, at Saluda Library parking lot for a trip to Avery Nursery in Columbus.

Saluda Center will have a community potluck and bingo night on August 28, 6 p.m. Bring a dish to share.

The grand finale Top of the Grade Concert at McCreery Park is September 1 with Super 60’s, a group that plays a musical retrospective of the 1960s. Music is from 7-9 p.m.

Saluda School will be back in business at the end of this month! August 24 is “Meet the Teachers” from 3-5 p.m. and August 28 is the first day of school. Breakfast and lunch is free for every child this year.

Mark your calendars for the Charlie Ward Memorial Pig Out on September 9, 5-7 p.m. at  McCreery Park.

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, Ryan Bradley, and Libby Archer.

Thank you, dear readers, for reading this column. You can contact me at bbardos@gmail.com, 828-749-1153, or bonniebardosart.com.