“When I was younger, I could remember anything, whether it had happened or not; but my faculties are decaying now and soon I shall be so I cannot remember any but the things that never happened. It is sad to go to pieces like this but we all have to do it.” ~   Mark Twain

 

I can’t remember ever itching this much (but these days I don’t remember what I was doing or what I was hunting while I was doing whatever it was I was doing when I was hunting for whatever it was, wherever I left it). 

 

As for itching—from those dread poison oak break-outs, and attacks of stinging/biting/whining demons, I’m starting to think I will go to pieces as Mark Twain said. Last week, a sneaky insect of unknown kind left an ugly welt on my neck. People jokingly asked if I had a hickey, but that was NOT the case, Dear Reader: I declare innocence, since high school days are long over. Over the past days, the swollen area spread, red and itching: nothing, absolutely nothing relieved it, including calamine or cortisone cream. Nothing. 

 

After trying every itch remedy of cream, lotion, or salve stashed in the bathroom,  nightstand, kitchen–I figured it was time to create something that worked, enough to keep the itch monster at bay. 

 

Remember the witch stirring the cauldron, tossing in eye-of-newt and toe of frog? That’s what I did: a little bit of this, a little bit of that. A pinch, another pinch. Honey, meat tenderizer, dry mustard powder, baking soda, apple cider vinegar, smoothed into a salve-like substance. This homemade potion worked better than any of the store-bought stuff.

 

There’s no telling what the evil bug was that zapped me, but I hope it’s been eaten by hungry birds. If you see me out in public with a bandanna around my neck, you’ll know why. That varmint might still be on the loose! 

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

 

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 August 4 to  Little Bradley Falls, a moderate hike along Cove Creek to the falls. Meet at Saluda Library’s parking lot at 2 p.m. to carpool. 

 

Need a helping hand with groceries? Every Tuesday from 4-6 p.m., there’s a community pop-up food pantry at the Apple Mill, 1345 Ozone Drive (across from BP station). All welcome: friends sharing with friends!  

 

The next Top of the Grade concert is One Leg Up on August 9, 7-9 p.m. at McCreery Park.

 

Saluda Historic Depot is open Tuesday-Saturday 10:30-5:00, Sunday 12-4. Mark your calendar for Train Tales on August 16, 7 p.m. with Lucas Safrat.

 

Community potluck and bingo is July 29 at 6 p.m. at Saluda Center. 

 

Saluda Community Table is every Thursday 5:30-7 p.m. at Saluda Center. Donations always appreciated. 

 

While Saluda School’s out for summer, keep collecting those hot pink box tops on many food products. Saluda School gets a dime for each one. Money is used to purchase books for Books Are Really Fun program: each student gets to choose/keep 3-5 free books a year.  

 

Saluda Sympathy goes to the family of Ken Webb. 

 

Happy July Birthday to Doris Marion, Debi Thomas, Rheta Foster, Nancy Weinhagen, Lisa Obermiller, Kathy Thompson, Bill Jameson, Emily Rose Ford, Jeremy Ford, Mike Cass,  Nathen Honeycutt, Melissa Justus, Hunter Justus, Alyssa Justus, Lin Savage, Doug Taylor, Amanda Anderson, Gail Slaughter, Diane Ballard, Amber Grant, and Marianne Blazar.  Add your birthday to the list—no ages mentioned unless you’re under 2 or over 100! 

 

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