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The faint shadow of the morning moon?
Nay, the snow falling on the earth.
The mist of blossoming flowers?
Nay, poetry smiling up the sky.

~ Yone Noguchi, [The faint shadow of the morning moon?]

 

A January morning brushes golden-peach above sienna trees– night’s crystalline stars fading into dawn. A  thin layer of brittle ice coats the fish pond, bird bath and puddles left from weekend rain. The bright-eyed wren and squirrel work in tandem, more like in cahoots, raiding bird seed and fruit underneath the feeders. 

It’s time to gather forsythia branches to bring in, forcing them into bloom…an yearly ritual this time of year. My paper-white bulbs sprang up:  full of blossoms in the kitchen window. Pansy cuttings root in antique glass, and the growing collection of orchids are considering if they’ll leap into bloom too. Promises, promises. 

My red wrigglers like cooler temperatures: they live inside, hidden in a lime-green bin which looks like a small nightstand with two drawers to unsuspecting visitors who never guess (but if they snoop, what a surprise!). Who ever thought worms could be such happy critters? But they are—I love peeking at them now and then, as they munch on veggie peels, newspaper, and other goodies; they stretch out, pleased, just like we do after a good meal! I want to rub their tummies, but just put the lid back on and gently tiptoe away to leave them in peace. 

My last-summer foray into vermiculture other than my outdoor compost bin with earthworms, these small friends are wise teachers about simple critters that demand little but do great things–while living/working silently in the dark, disturbing nothing. I’ve come to appreciate and respect them so much, I’ve promised to never use them on fishing hooks.

 

Saluda Winter Market is every other Saturday through March at Saluda Center from 9-12, featuring local vendors with fresh produce, baked goods, and more. 

Saluda Historic Depot is closed January and February. 

Saluda Visitor Center winter hours are 12-3 weekdays and 11-4 p.m. on weekends.

Community potluck/bingo night is January 31, 6 p.m. at Saluda Center; bring a side dish to share. 

Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) would benefit from your donations for this year ahead, or your time as a volunteer for their many community projects. Contact SCLT at 828-749-1560 or visit www.saludasclt.org

Saluda Pop-Up Pantry is Tuesday from 1-6 at Saluda Presbyterian Church, 54 Carolina Avenue (behind Saluda Library). Masks/safety precautions taken. Paper products, children’s jackets, gloves, men’s hats, grooming products such as toothpaste, soap, shampoo, etc., socks, and coats are needed to help restock. To volunteer, call Saluda Church of the Transfiguration, 828-749-9740. You can mail tax-deductible donations to Saluda Pop-Up Pantry, P.O. Box 428, Saluda, NC 28773 or donate online at www.saludapantrycom   

Saluda Sympathy goes to the family of Robert Seiler. Robert was indeed Saluda’s “Music Man”: he brought many great musicians over the years to the Purple Onion. He was a staunch supporter of WNCW among other things, including being a talented musician himself. I always smiled when I saw him coming back to Saluda from his swim at the Hendersonville YMCA, his tag giving him away “NVR2OLD”. A good being who will be missed. 

Happy January Birthday to Brandy Bradley, Carolyn Ashburn, Scott Kinard, Donna Bond, Greer Eargle, Wyatt Alan Pace, Irma Anderson, Paul Aaybe, Phyllis Arrington, Kenneth Justus, Cheryl Harbin, Avery Lena Mintz, Connie Scicluna, Ann Dudley, Charles Conner, Kristin Mode, Susan Parke, Rodney Gibson, Kristen Mode, Jan Daugherty, and Frank McNutt. 

Feel free to contact me at bbardos@gmail.com, (828) 817-6765, P.O. Box 331, Saluda, NC 28773, Facebook, or visit bonniebardos.com