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“Be grateful in your own hearts. That suffices. Thanksgiving has wings, and flies to its right destination.” ~ Victor Hugo

 

As Thanksgiving approaches, we remember past gatherings and all the meals shared with family, friends, and others over the years. Add in those memories of endless turkey and stuffing, cranberry sauce, and sparkling china plates with pumpkin pie. This year, I’m not feeling like doing a traditional Thanksgiving or even Christmas. I’ve started warning friends in advance not to give me gifts, and to give to hurricane relief efforts or a worthy charity instead. 

Instead, after the eventful (not sure what else to call it!) year of cancer, a cracked rib and noggin, the long aftermath/chaos of Helene’s unwelcome visit, and so on, I feel like taking off for a peaceful beach cottage, books and sandals in the back seat. No holiday overdosing or fruit cake; just quiet and reflection, bare feet in ocean, lazy, unhurried time to reflect on countless blessings, friendships, sunrises and sunsets, kids in the park and good dogs, fresh coffee and books, working internet and refrigeration, apple cider doughnuts from the orchard, as well as homemade gravy and cranberry sauce with whole berries. 

Don’t worry, Dear Reader; I’ve signed up to make fresh biscuits for Thanksgiving rather than take off just yet. I’ve agreed to do that much. That means I’m committed to showing up! With a basket of hot biscuits…

I think of other things to be thankful for: my mail carrier, who used to drive me bonkers when he’d leave my mailbox hanging open, time after time. Years later, I’ve forgiven him. The mailbox I put up last year has a drop top: now it can’t be left open; it just shuts automatically! Just this very evening, he was out in the dusk-dark climbing down steps to bring me a package, his headlamp glowing. I met him outside, on my way to save him a trip. He beat me to it.  

All I could think was how tired he must be, how ready to go home to his family, his kids. How much harder the world is now on postal workers of all kinds…and there he is, day in, day out, on duty. Along with many others, we have the best ones around in our Saluda…delivering mail ain’t what it used to be. It’s become a long-hours stressful job in an over-flowing vehicle crammed with bills, catalogs, and 2 billion Amazon boxes instead of just bills and catalogs. Mail carriers: Happy Thanksgiving. May you have extra gravy and pie if you want it. May we all. 

And should you know of a little beach cottage on a peaceful beach, let me know…Christmas is around the corner! 

• Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT), with the support of PCCF, has scheduled the annual wreath-making workshop at Henry’s Nature Center for November 30, 11-3 (rain or shine). All you need to bring are clippers, if you have them, ribbons/ornaments, and folding chairs/blankets. Dress for outside weather; this event is for adults and children. For information, call 828-749-1560.
• A special holiday market will be held at McCreery Park, November 30 from 10-2; this is also Saluda’s Small Business Saturday, which is all day downtown from 10-8 p.m. Come out and support local folks! 
• Saluda’s Hometown Christmas is December 13 from 6-8 p.m. 

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, Jane Thompson, Candy Oakes, Bruce Hunt, Hannah Jane Kirby, Shirley Chamberlain, Sam Woodbery, Glenn Morgan, Sa Smith, Karen Gabriel, John Case, and Jaine Nelson. Add your birthday to the list! 

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