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“Look, in the early light,

Down to the infinite

Depths of the deep grass-roots;

Where the sun shoots

In golden veins….”

 

~ Michael Field, excerpt from “The Depths of the Grass”

 

Early September mornings climb emerald ladders up trees, golden light rippling, lime-green hickory nuts somersaulting to earth. Here we are in another month–the big yellow school buses growling by, kids glad to go back to school (well, most of them). Things are a little bit more normal for them this time. 

 

Over at Saluda Elementary School, I hear happy shouts on the playground—some things should never change. Those sounds bring back memories of a brick-colored rubber dodgeball, powdery dirt under foot, and pure joy captured in afternoon sun, motes of dust lifting up, butterflies overhead, the scent of dry grass infusing the air. 

 

A few more leaves drift down, asters start to spangle roadsides with dusty-pink Joe Pye. Wily Rocky Raccoon raids my compost bin at night. I know it’s him, because he can take the bin’s top off—then the rude dinner guest has the nerve to waddle on up the path to raid the goldfish pond for dessert. 

 

Saluda Tailgate Market is every Friday at the west city parking lot off Main Street, 4:30-6 p.m. The market will be open through October. 

 

Congratulations to Aaron Burdett, who is now a member of the Steep Canyon Rangers. Saluda is proud of you! 

Need to make a joyful sound or two? Join the new community chorus “Mountain Song”. Rehearsals start September 12, 6:30-8 p.m. at Saluda Center, 64 Greenville Street. This is “a joyful choir bringing people together to sing show tunes, pop songs, spirituals, classics and vocal jazz.” Visit www.MountainSong.info for information. 

Garden Tip: (maybe more of a kitchen tip, perhaps) those reusable fine-mesh produce bags are great for keeping ripe tomatoes in on your kitchen counter, because we know a good tomato shouldn’t be stashed in the refrigerator! The bag helps keep fruit flies away from them, a win-win situation. This time of year, the little buggers try to take over everything! I also hang up onions in the bags for air circulation. With summer gardens getting a little shaggy around the collar, it’s time to clean up wizened vegetable vines; and trim here and there which brings on more blooms. 

 

Happy September Birthday to Wayne Thompson, Courtney Hoots, Merci Weitzen, Dale McEntire, Joni Rauschenbach, Linda Kaye Hayes, Carol Kenfield, Leslie Jespersen, Linda Mintz, Sheila Billeter, Cary Pace, Ross Arrington, Hop Foster, Chuck Hearon, Alexia Timberlake, Jason Justus, Beth Carson, Clark Thompson, Nicholas Edwards, Cindy Tuttle, Don Clapp, and Nancy Pew. Add your birthday to the list—it’s a long-time promise NO ages are mentioned unless you’re under 2 or over 100! 

 

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