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“And everything is singing 

    A morning hymn to love,

Flowers and tendrils springing 

    To greet the trees above;

The streams speak to the fountains, 

    The breezes to the pines,

The clouds unto the mountains, 

    The grapes unto the vines.”

~ Victor Hugo, excerpt from “Truth”

 

July mornings start off in the dark: the mockingbird trills a pre-dawn song list (quite a variety), then as the dawn comes, a chorus of other birds lifts the veil of night. The moon’s face lingers in that pale light, painting the sky. It must be old age or the July heat, but miracle of miracles, I find myself up with those early birds this month, pulling on ratty leggings, a top, and walking shoes to head out for a walk. BEFORE coffee. 

Now, Dear Reader, anyone who knows me knows this isn’t normal behavior for a back-up-to-the-day sort. However, you can’t argue with those insistent early birds! Along with those birds, I see other early birds: kindred spirits out here and there, a runner, a couple of bike riders, walkers, dogs and their people. Sometimes snag an early-morning chat while we catch our breath. Dogs tend to love this, for they get to stop and sniff each other, then lie patiently while their humans visit. It’s Saluda. 

Bees are on the job at first light, and I smile as I brush by flower-laden shrubs; they hum in, never worried about them bothering to notice me. It is good to hear them. Down the street, the community garden blooms with sunflowers, zinnias, veggies. Sometimes I walk by to admire the painstaking work local gardeners put into their plots, a reflection of their individual style. 

Down a narrow lane, its stately, quiet trees in shadow are peaceful, with not one car (or bear) to be seen. Back in town, my walk takes me by one, sometimes two, of our policemen as the night shift comes to an end and the day shift comes on. Nothing much opens THAT early, but it’s still entertaining to peek in shop windows as I head along Main Street’s sidewalk. Flower baskets hang overhead, crows strut at the park as they hunt breakfast. 

Back up, up, up (huff!) a hill (huff!) I climb, then on to that cup of coffee, like bait, waiting at the end of the line. It’s a summer morning in a small mountain town. 

• Saluda Community Land Trust’s next “Walks in the Woods” is July 20 to the Palmetto Trail at Heatherly Heights Road. On August 3, the hike is to Vaughn’s Creek. These walks start at an earlier time than usual, 10 a.m., due to summer heat. Meet at the Saluda Library parking lot. For more information, contact the SCLT office at (828) 749-1560 or email info@saludaclt.org
• Saluda Community Table is July 22 at Saluda Center, 64 Greenville Street, from 5:30-7 p.m. Donations are always appreciated! 
• On Track Saluda has Movement Mondays at McCreery Park’s Pavilion, 9 a.m. These are beginner-friendly classes! The next upcoming ones are on July 21-Gentle Flow Yoga with Ashley Schipman Beard; July 28- Mat Pilates with Kerry Sinclair.
• The potluck night is July 29 at 6 p.m. at the Saluda Center. 

Happy July Birthday to Debi Thomas, Rheta Foster, Nancy Weinhagen, Lisa Obermiller, Kathy Thompson, Bill Jameson, Emily Rose Ford, Jeremy Ford, Mike Cass, Nathen Honeycutt, Melissa Justus, Hunter Justus, Alyssa Justus, Lin Savage, Doug Taylor, Amanda Anderson, Gail Slaughter, Diane Ballard, Amber Grant, Kathy Hayes, Ammie Forester, Arely Muñoz, Catherine Fairbanks and Marianne Blazar.  

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