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“Every gardener knows that under the cloak of winter lies a miracle. . .

a seed waiting to sprout, a bulb opening to the light, a bud straining

to unfurl. And the anticipation nurtures our dream.” ~ Barbara Winkler

 

The January day it poured buckets upon ark-worthy buckets of rain, winds gusted, trees fell and retaining walls gave up the fight, I had two hardy visitors who made it through the storms; one in rainboots with homemade lasagna in hand. This was, as weather people on TV term it, “a weather event.” 

Maybe I’m just hard to get along with, but can’t they think up something better? Maybe call a hurricane a hurricane, a tornado a tornado, and a flood, well…a flood works for me. 

If everything’s now an exciting weather event, then maybe get more descriptive, without jumping up and down in front of the camera frantically gesturing like there may be no tomorrow. (We humans must need more and more entertainment to get us to notice the antics on screen.) Usually, I just go look out the windows, open the door, sniff the air, peer at the horizon, watch what birds are thinking. Critters know what’s coming, long before we do. They’re sniffing the air, watching, feeling. Not impressed by hopping-like-popcorn guys on Weather Channel. 

Speaking of popcorn, after the icy morning ‘weather event’ this past Saturday, I hunkered down as ice melted off,  rooted through cabinets, discovering one lonesome bag of black jewel popcorn for the heavy gray afternoon. This was a hint to watch “Elvis” with Tom Hanks–which I’d already seen, but popcorn, Elvis and Tom Hanks on a lazy dark evening was the perfect remedy. Besides, I’d rather see Elvis hopping around on screen than any weather guy. The costumes are much better as well! 

• Despite those ups and downs of January, there’s a lot going on in Saluda. Join Saluda Living in Place/OnTrack Saluda with guest speaker Dr. Lisa Broyles at Saluda Center on January 17,  at10 a.m. with a program discussing “Supplements, the Good and the Bad.” 
• Saluda Library will have an educational program for kids 5-13 with N.C. Arboretum to learn about Western North Carolina’s birds entitled “Birding For Kids” on January 18, at 4 p.m. 
• Saluda Farmers Winter Market is each 2nd and 4th Saturday through April from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Saluda Center, 64 Greenville Street. 
• Saluda Dog Park on Chestnut Street is maintained by Saluda Community Land Trust. Many repairs with improvements along with a new sidewalk have been added with a silt pond, bulbs and native plants. This month and every third Thursday from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. is ‘clean the park time,’ clearing brush and picking up. Bring gloves, clippers and your best buddy to help! 

Happy January Birthday to Brandy Bradley, Carolyn Ashburn, 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, Caroline Thompson, Lisa Reece and Frank McNutt. Add your birthday to the list—it’s a promise that no ages will be 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