“Morning coffee on the balcony 

of this old duplex, 

the cat at my feet, 

and a couple of biscuits. 

Notebook near by. 

 

No one coming over.”  

~ Leonard Cohen 

 

Lilac perfumes early morning as wind chimes drift amid bird songs. Sunday’s vicious lashings of wind and rain are nowhere in sight: a reminder how nature changes quickly, gifting us loveliness one day; the dark side the next. Life’s that way. A historic cathedral burns in Paris, and we realize how human and helpless we are: how fleeting it all is, even what seems infallible.  

Lilacs and dogwoods blooming remind us that life does go on; if we close our eyes, lift our face to the sun and listen to the bird songs, chimes, and breeze we know it all will pass, that all will change, but we are here now.  

Looking at the big 6-0 knocking on my door next week, I think of that eight year-old girl inside, how she never left my heart. I don’t feel ancient. Not yet – even if my time left is shorter on this end of the yardstick than a bit ago! There’s a realization that time isn’t just a clock ticking, it’s ringing (pounding) that doorbell louder than any door-to-door salesman ever did. Maybe there’s a wrinkle or two, but that little girl’s still there, watching clouds overhead, tucking earthworms back in moist ground, sticking her freckled nose in a book on a lazy afternoon.  

Life gives us chaos, punting our rear ends like a football down the field: yet we get pure moments of azalea pink, spring green, diamond sparkles on leaves, newborn babies tender-warm cheeks and nuzzles from fur friends. 

Outside, bluebirds swoop to their nest. Babies will emerge soon, and life goes on amid it all. Ancient cathedrals can be rebuilt, wrinkles don’t matter so much in the face (or pants either), and as long as dogwoods bloom every spring, maybe it’s a sweetness we find along our time here. Lessons that come with a few wrinkles and a lot of wisdom.  

The annual Easter egg hunt sponsored by United Methodist Women of Saluda Methodist Church is April 20, 1:00 p.m. at the vacant lot at corner of Greenville/Erwin St. across from McCreery Park. Refreshments served after at McCreery Park Pavilion.  

 

There will be an Easter sunrise service Sunday at 6:45 a.m. on Judd’s Peak. (Greenville Street / Mountain Page Rd., right on Pace Mountain Rd., right on Judd’s Peak, bear right on Orchard Hill, park along side of road) 

 

Learn more about Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) by visiting saludaclt.org or calling 828-749-1560. SCLT’s 12th Annual Meeting is May 1, 6:00 p.m. at Saluda Center.  

 

Saluda Historic Depot is open Tuesday to Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (the museum is open Easter Sunday). The next Saluda Train Tales will be with Bob Lohne, author and producer of Saluda Grade videos and Saluda, America’s Hometown on April 19, 7:00 p.m. Donations can be made by mailing to Saluda Historic Depot, P.O. Box 990, Saluda, NC 28773 or SaludaHistoricDepot.com.  

 

Saluda Center potluck and bingo night is April 29 at 6:00 p.m. 

 

Good News: Saluda Tailgate Market starts its 10th season on May 3 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the city’s parking lot on West Main Street.  

 

Saluda Sympathy goes to the family of Mildred Hipp.  

 

Happy April Birthday to: Martha Ashley, Melody Gibson, Dave Prudhomme, Kaye Vazquez, Cindy Keeter, Betty Anna Brown, Hope Pace, Diane Pace, Ruth Anderson, Greaton Sellers, Clay Arrington, Bonnie Bardos, Luther Connor, Gary Pace, Doug Honeycutt, Niece Lundgren, Julie Roy, Tommy Williamson, Rhonda Corley, Taylor Staggs, Loretta Cook, and Hilda Pace. Add your name to the list!  

 

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