Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live.

~ Norman Cousins

By the time you read this, I’ll be off in Fernandina Beach, Florida again — taking advantage of a friend’s cottage.

At least I hope I’ll be there, depending on if the Silver Bullet makes it — this is our first road trip together. Poor Turtle would have balked at that trip, but is sorely missed.

Ole Silver already had to have a new battery and alignment, so I hope she’ll hi-yo to the Sunshine State.

You’ll hear more soon on that if the laptop relic I’m hauling (along with art supplies) works. If there’s no column next week, you will know that laptop went on strike: it’s so old that Methuselah looks like a young ‘un.

Silver is packed: it’s amazing how much stuff I think River and I need to take.

Food. Treats. AAA card, thanks to a friend who gifted a year’s worth (thanks, Holly!).

Books. Paints/paintings. Pillow (a MUST HAVE!).

Coffee. Phone. Laptop.

Jammies. Socks. More art supplies. Sweat jacket (no telling what the weather will do, right?)

Treats. More treats. (River expects his home-baked “Aunt Rita” treats).

I don’t yet know what I’ve forgotten, but I reckon we’ll find out. But we have treats.

• Saluda Tailgate Market will have a special holiday market in late November. Thank you for supporting our local vendors this year!

• 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. All are welcome; donations accepted.

• Saluda Community Land Trust can be reached at SCLT’s office at 828-749-1560 or saludasclt.org. Donations and trail maintenance volunteers are appreciated.

• Saluda Singles will meet at Saluda Center at 5 p.m. Thursday. The only cost is $1 donation to the center. For information, contact Anita Ogden Moore at 828-749-3335/ anitaomoore@gmail.com.

• Saluda United Methodist Church’s annual Turkey Dinner is from 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, at Saluda School. Church members will serve roast turkey, homemade gravy (my favorite) and all the fixings including dessert (my favorite too!). It’s a great evening to see home town folks. Tickets available from church members or at the door. Tickets available from church members or at the door. For information, call 828-749-3789.

• Saluda Train Tales at the Saluda Historic Depot, 32 W. Main St., will feature Alex Salley presenting “Life & Times in Saluda” at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; saludahistoricdepot.com.

• Saluda Historic Depot Theatre Troupe is producing Saluda’s first musical, which will premiere at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, at The Party Place & Event Center, 221 Friendship Church Road, Saluda. For information, contact Judy Ward at 828-674-5958/judyward@charter.net or Corinne Gerwe at cgerwe@rsnet.org /828-749-4803.

• Saluda Get-Well goes to Patty Martin, Doris Marion, Libby Archer and Mary Ann Asbill.

• Daylight savings ending is not included on the fall favorites list: swinging clocks back mean winter’s icicles twisting the front door knob is more official! It also means you feel like dinner time’s at five, bed at seven! No thanks, November. Reminder: clocks get turned back an hour on Sunday.

• Garden notes: It’s time to turn over summer gardens, divide plants, plant shrubs or trees, add compost to the soil, clean bluebird houses. Fall leaves make fine additions to compost or rake into a pile at the side of your yard and let them decompose; no need to burn them.

• Happy November Birthday to Rich Igoe, Rita Igoe, Karen Johnson, Nancy Barnett, Dawn Pearson, Dusty Jespersen, Gwen Garren, Stoney Lamar, Jim Boyle, Tom Ellwood,  Wendy McEntire, Aaron Burdett,  Jane Thompson, Candy Oakes, Bruce Hunt and James Hrynyshyn.   

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.