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“A birdsong can even, for a moment, make the whole world into a sky within us, because we feel that the bird does not distinguish between its heart and the world’s.” ~ Rainer Maria Rilke

 

November’s leaves carpet the earth in gold, crimson, sienna; a sober-gray horizon lurking low beyond the tree line promising threats of rain. There’s already been a steady night of drizzle, leaving the blue rain barrel full again, small bright leaves floating like colorful fish on top. 

Again, I stand on watch at the windows inside, watching for leaks, just knowing if I turn my back, a waterfall will start. Helene left her mark for certain. 

Everywhere you look, landscapes are forever changed, some in astounding new ways. I remind myself that nature has been doing this rearranging for millions of years, that in time, it’ll seem familiar to another generation down the path. It reminds me to get out to do fall garden clean-up, which I admit to being late with this round. Excuses, excuses! 

Most of us just get out there, pick up some more, chainsaw here and there, move mud and dirt, pound nails and keep on keepin’ on. That’s what we do when disaster strikes. Keep on. We pull each other by the ropes if need be, because this isn’t something we do alone. It may take a mighty long rope, many hands, and some hard pulling. That seems the way to tackle the biggest problems in life. Don’t give up, keep going. The birds stay busy at the feeders, their song clear as bells in the early morning. Despite everything, storms and the unknown, there they are, once again. 

After all, this IS the month of Thanksgiving. Right now, as I type away at the keyboard, I look around and spot things that remind me of gratitude. A glass bowl filled with sweet tangerines: instant sunshine for the spirit. A pile of books. A basket full of cards received over the past year. A geranium rooting in an antique bottle, hopeful. A frothy-pink Thanksgiving cactus spilling over a blue pot. New leaves springing from a fiddle-leaf fig tree. More symbols of good things and grace, just waiting to be noticed. Sort of like those birds singing their songs each morning. 

• Saluda Community Table is at Saluda Center on Nov. 12 with Irmy Chmielewski preparing the meal. If possible, go green by bringing your own plates/utensils; dinner is 5:30-7 p.m.; donations are appreciated.  
• Heartwood Gallery’s annual fundraiser ornament is now available. All sales go directly to Outreach, a non-profit organization that provides financial and food assistance to Polk County residents in need. This year’s ceramic ornament is home-themed, symbolizing where you reside, where you’re from, shelter from the storm, and where love abides. 
• Saluda artist Dale McEntire is featured in a solo retrospective show, “Reflections Along the Path,” which encompasses decades of his work at Upstairs Artspace in Tryon. This exhibit of paintings and sculpture runs through December 20, Wednesday through Sunday, 12-5. The gallery is beside Tryon Theater, 49 S. Trade, Tryon, NC; (828) 859-2828. Congratulations, Dale! 

Happy November Birthday to Jared Scott, Karen Johnson, Nancy Barnett, Dawn Pearson, Dusty Jespersen, Gwen Garren, Stoney Lamar, Jim Boyle, Tom Ellwood,  Wendy McEntire, Aaron Burdett, Candy Oakes, Bruce Hunt, Hannah Jane Kirby, Shirley Chamberlain, Sam Woodbery, Glenn Morgan, Sa Smith, Karen Gabriel, John Case, and  Jaine Nelson. Remembering Trish Carey on her birthday month, she is missed! 

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