Just as the hare is zipping across the finish line,
the tortoise has stopped once again
by the roadside,
this time to stick out his neck
and nibble a bit of sweet grass,
unlike the previous time
when he was distracted
by a bee humming in the heart of a wildflower. 

~ Billy Collins (Horoscopes for the Dead) 

Early morning, tendrils of mist drift over emerald May, cabbage-head roses unfurling with delight, birds in concert. I wear a pink floral kimono robe, steaming coffee cup in hand: sleepy River curls back in bed before the sun springs higher. It’s peaceful this time of day; hopeful.  

There’s no cell phone clattering. Just sounds of soft snuffling from River, a silver spoon whirling cream in coffee, delicate brush of feet toward porch swing… 

The other day, after I hung up dreaded cell phone, I realized I’d been yelling at it while it was on speaker. For some ingrained reason, talking louder to the thing as it talks louder to me is ingrained. CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?! LET ME MOVE TO ANOTHER SPOT TO SEE IF I CAN HEAR YOU BETTER. DAMN PHONE! WHAT? I’M LOSING YOU. CAN’T HEAR! WHAT?  

It’s a curse I tell you. One that makes us stare (and yell) at a small rectangle, missing birds in concert and emerald May, tendrils of mist, a pink porch swing and a pink floral kimono robe. 

We miss looking at the hummingbirds dance amid ferns, the maple flower up above, glints of dew over morning daisy faces. Can you hear me now? Listen–it’s a tender whisper feathering on wings of dawn, a bee humming in the heart of a wildflower.  

 

Learn more about Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) by visiting saludaclt.org or calling 828-749-1560.  For information on helping clear trails or joining “Walks in the Woods”, contact Chuck Hearon at (828) 817-0364 or chearon@skyrunner.net; the next walk is May 19 to Lazy Girl trail in Saluda. Meet at Saluda Library’s parking lot at 2 p.m. Swimming lessons begin July 15 and finish August 23, M-F from 9-5. Contact Brian at  twinlakesswimminglessons@gmail.com for information.  

 

Enjoy the Step Back in History program on May 11, 10:00 a.m. at Saluda Center, featuring the story of Madame Phoebe Sullivan as told by Maxine Wilkerson. Madame Sullivan was a healer, herb doctor, mystic, prophet, and leader in Saluda’s black community. Saluda Community Land Trust will co-host this event and will discuss their efforts to rebuild Sullivan’s Temple, founded by Madame Sullivan. 

 

Saluda Historic Depot is open Tuesday-Saturday 10:30-5:00, Sunday 12-4. Donations can be made by mailing to Saluda Historic Depot, P.O. Box 990, Saluda, NC 28773 or visit  SaludaHistoricDepot.com. Saluda Train Tales feature Matt Baumgarner, May 17, 7 p.m.  

 

Saluda Women’s Club meets May 14, 10 a.m. at Saluda Presbyterian Church. 

 

Veterans are invited to free breakfast at Ward’s Grill, May 16, 7-11 a.m. 

 

The 16th Annual Saluda Arts Festival is May 18 from 10-4 in downtown Saluda: art, craft, live music, food and fun!  

 

Saluda Living in Place (SLIP) will have “Stroke—What You Need To Know” on May 23, Saluda Center, 10 a.m.; Cheryl Wallen, BSN, RN will give the presentation. For more information or to arrange transportation to SLIP events, call (828) 490-1040.  

 

Saluda Community Table will be every Thursday 5:30-7 p.m. at Saluda Center. All welcome!  

 

Saluda Tailgate Market is Friday from 4:30 to 6:30 in the city’s parking lot on West Main Street.  

 

Garden Tip: don’t toss your used coffee grounds in the trash: plants appreciate them!  

 

Happy May Birthday to Amy Copeland, Corinne Gerwe, Chris Anderson, Mark Jackson, Cary Pace, Lisa Hipp, Trevor Young, Jemme Latell, Paul Marion, Jesse Thomas, Margaret Sease, Elizabeth Baldwin, Chad Baldwin, Lynn Cass, Thelma Jones, Betsy Burdett, Melia Bradley, June Taylor, Robin Kirby, and Kevin Matthews.  

 

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