“She had only to stand in the orchard, to put her hand on a little crab tree and look up at the apples, to make you feel the goodness of planting and tending and harvesting at last.” ~ Willa Cather

There isn’t much more humbling (or horrifying) than catching a glimpse of yourself in a mirror  with spinach teeth, crumb on the end of nose, zipper undone, shirt on inside out, toilet paper tail dragging along, or size tag flapping in mid-air for all to see.

I remind friends to speak up if they see any of these transgressions on my part, to stop me in my tracks; in return I’ll do the same. It saves an overload of embarrassment I say, as I pointedly rub my (usually) non-existent beard to give the hint to my bearded son at a restaurant.

Of course, the more you know someone, the more you can tease a little to lighten the moment, so everybody ends up with a smile, and no humiliation. “Beard check on aisle 3!” hissed pointedly while vigorously rubbing my chin and giggling, never fails to make my young man get a half-smile on his face as he reaches for his napkin to wipe away offending crumbs. (After all, what ARE moms for?)

Long after I’m gone, there’ll be those days when he’ll be having lunch somewhere, maybe with his own grandkids, and out of the blue “Beard check on aisle 3!” will come to mind, bringing a smile once again.

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

Saluda Welcome Table is each Tuesday at Saluda Methodist Church from 5:30-6:45 p.m. Everyone welcome; donations appreciated.

Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) needs volunteers for grant research/writing, office assistance, publicity/newsletter as well as outdoor fieldwork/trail clearing or monitoring easements, GPS, and photography. Donations are always welcome. Contact SCLT at 828-749-1560 or visit www.saludasclt.org. 

Saluda Historic Depot is located at 32 West Main Street. Saluda Train Tales featuring Ray Rapp is Oct. 20, 7 p.m. This event is free to the public.

There’ll be a Candidates Forum at Saluda Center on Oct. 25, 6 p.m.

Saluda Center Potluck and Bingo night is Oct. 30, 6 p.m.

Trick or Treat! The City of Saluda will have the annual Halloween stroll, stretching from Nostalgia Courtyard to Green River BBQ in downtown, Oct. 27, 3-6 p.m. Saluda First Baptist Church will have “Trunk or Treat” along with a free chili dinner in their Carolina Street parking lot. Lola’s above Thompson Store will have a Halloween House from 5:30-7:30 with free hot dogs, a DJ, and fun. Any donations received at Lola’s Venue will go toward fundraising for building public restrooms at Pace Park downtown!

Good news: Saluda Family Medicine with Dr. Lisa Broyles MD, CFMP, a holistic family physician, opens Nov. 1 at 1347 Ozone Drive beside Dancer’s Extension.

Mark your calendars for the annual Saluda United Methodist Church’s Turkey Dinner, 5-7 p.m., Nov. 11 at Saluda School Cafeteria. Tickets available through church members or at the door.

Saluda Sympathy goes to the family of Barbara Hastings.

Happy October Birthday to Cissy Thompson, Patricia Case, Joan Barker, Gary Corn, Aaron Bradley, Amanda Burrell Anderson, Lisa Orr, Marilyn Prudhomme, Bubba Dawson, Kirby Jackson, Mary Ann Asbill, Sheila Billeter, Carol Thompson, Mildred Hipp, Dean Bradley, and Susan Wheeler.  Add your birthday to the list. Just email or call me. Please be sure to clearly state your phone number on the answering machine if you need a call returned!

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