Love means to learn to look at yourself

The way one looks at distant things

For you are only one thing among many.

And whoever sees that way heals his heart,

Without knowing it, from various ills.

A bird and a tree say to him: Friend.

Then he wants to use himself and things

So that they stand in the glow of ripeness.

It doesn’t matter whether he knows what he serves:

Who serves best doesn’t always understand.

~ Czeslaw Milosz, “Love”

The old apple tree in the backyard has long vanished — but now and then, I catch the scent of late summer apples on mountain breezes, memories of crisp green, red-cheeked  orbs.

When my son was a little fellow, I’d gather him up with a book and we’d sway in the rope hammock under the apple tree, reading out loud, watching apple tree leaves lift and flutter overhead: blue sky peeking through, apples perfuming summer afternoons.

The cat would be listening in, and a lazy Shar-Pei lounging on the grass.

Time passes. There’s a towering blue cedar where the apple tree and hammock were; the son’s out in the world, a different Shar-Pei and cat now — but I still tell the passing of time and years by leaves, children growing up, sky, cats, dogs and apples.

The other morning, I bent down to hug River Dog’s soft furry neck and snuggle those little bear ears. Being the stand-up guy he is, he sat there, tail wagging, without complaint: his one eye glistening with sheer happiness.

Do that to your teenager and watch ‘em run the other way. Do that to your cat or dog, and most of the time, it’s warm fuzzy moments pressed in the memories you keep.

For animal lovers, our life is marked by those friends and family, both two and four-footed, we love over the years. Chapters in our story, there are those who remain in our hearts long after they’ve left us; sort of the same for old apple trees.

All have been friends in the glow of ripeness.

• 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: dinner is served from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. in the fellowship hall of Saluda United Methodist Church.

• Saluda Community Land Trust’s “Walks in the Woods” are on the first and third Sundays each month. The next walk will be Sept. 2 to Grandma’s Mountain. Meet at Saluda Library’s parking lot at 2 p.m. You can reach SCLT at 828-749-1560 or visitsaludasclt.org. Contact Chuck Hearon for hike information at 828-817-0364 or chearon@skyrunner.net.

• Saluda School News: the first day of school is Monday. Breakfast and lunch are free for all students this year! Saluda School’s website is sal.polkschools.org.

• Saluda Center potluck and bingo night is 6 p.m. Monday.

   • Top of the Grade Concerts continue with O’Neal Township on Friday, and Sound Investments on Friday, Sept. 7. Shows take place from 7 to 9 p.m. The O’Neal Township performance is moving from McCreery Park to Saluda Outfitters, at 435 E. Main St.

• 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, Libby Archer, Rodney Thompson, Cathy Jackson, Bill Jameson and Tayloe Francisco. Add your birthday to the list!

Thank you for reading this column; 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.