Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.

~ Mother Teresa

This morning, there was a surprise of early daffodil buds bravely poking heads above ground. I picked a few to bring sunshine to the kitchen window.

Forsythia branches gathered in January sparkle yellow blooms now. Flocks of robins hop over winter grass.

It’s time for pond frogs to pair up and croak about it (although I was brought up you don’t kiss and tell). They do, every time!

Downtown, Leon Morgan’s smile lights up his face as he talks about great-grandkids: I watch the Morgans transfer a car seat between cars, working like clockwork to help each other out, the older generation shepherding the new.

I walk toward the dog park with Patty Martin, river pulling me along as we enjoy the morning — Patty’s clothes happy and bright. I go home and pull on a pink jacket in her honor.

There’s our sweet Amber Grant, expecting her first baby in April: giving me a hug, her happiness contagious. There’s Rita Igoe, fighting brain and lung cancer, still coming to my door with homemade dog treats: last week, we sat on the front steps with River and I put my arms around her as River nuzzled her with adoration. 

There’s Wayne Thompson, tooting his horn and waving with a big grin, the Veils out for a long walk, waving in unison; Sam in Thompson’s Store, proud of his recent promotion, all smiles as I stop in with congratulations and to get a tomato; Betsy Burdett driving by and waving.

You know, there’s much love to be found in a small town with a big heart. Nope, it isn’t the big things at all, but that we still do small things with great love.

• Saluda Welcome Table at Saluda Methodist Church is from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. every Tuesday.

• 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 St., 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 by visiting saludaclt.org or calling 828-749-1560. To sign up for a plot/rows at Robinson Community Garden on Henderson Street, or for information on the community garden, call 828-749-9172 or email dlprudhomme@gmail.com.

• At Saluda Historic Depot, Saluda Train Tales return on at 7 p.m. March 16 with Harold Williams. Donations to help support Saluda Historic Depot can be sent to P.O. Box 990, Saluda, NC 28773 or on the HistoricSaluda.org website. Visit saludahistoricdepot.com for more information.

• Calling all artists: the Saluda Business Association invites you to enter the 15th annual juried Saluda Arts Festival on May 19. The deadline for entry is mid-March. Visit saluda.com to link to the arts festival page.

• Saluda Sympathy goes to the family of Alex Morrison and his wife Peggie.

Happy February Birthday to: Wylie Rauschenbach, Wesley Pace, Biddie Dawson, Ginny Jones, Jenna Igoe, Suzanne Igoe, Pam Thompson, Catherine Raymond, Eva McCray, Ellen Rogers, Margaret Miller, Paul London, Ward Sandahl, Bill Klippel, Pat Bares, Dwight Smith, Ingrid Sandahl, Fred Baisden, Duane Bateman, Ragan Thompson, Laura Williams, and Susan McMasters. Add your birthday to the list!

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 mountain town called Saluda. 

Feel free to contact me at bbardos@gmail.com, (828) 749-1153, or visit bonniebardosart.com.