A lesson in patience

Published 12:56 pm Thursday, July 31, 2025

“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”

Late-summer’s slide into August finds days of watermelon, sweet corn, baseball at the park. Scents of grills, cut grass, afternoon rain showers drift along with remembered memories of ice cream churns and picnics, back-to-school shopping.

To beat the rising temperature, I head out to check on a friend’s place and cat, pick a container of blueberries before the birds, finish outdoor chores before noon. The berries get stashed in the fridge, and things get straightened up in the kitchen. Maybe it’s the heat, maybe it’s Mars in retrograde, but a certain clumsy person ends up opening the refrigerator as the container of blueberries breaks for freedom, rocking and rolling everywhere on the kitchen floor. 

That same clumsy person gets the thrill of picking each and every berry up, taking painstaking care not to squash any under my foot. With a flashlight in hand, I spotlight every corner for escapees, a tedious task. It’s a lesson in patience, and a lesson of what can happen will. 

By afternoon, my favorite mug takes a nose-dive off the counter into the porcelain sink—picking it up, I’m lucky that it doesn’t break into a million shards, but the rim is chipped: argh-h-h! By this time, I’m ready to go back to bed and start the day over. 

Refusing to give up, I eye the damage, get the superglue out, put glasses on, and do damage repair. Another lesson in patience. It may not be Mars in retrograde, but sure is Murphy’s Law in effect. The old adage when it rains, it pours comes to mind. 

After the patch job, it’s a sure bet that it’s a good idea to not touch or look at anything too closely the rest of the day, for fear of setting off another chain reaction. That was enough excitement, so it seemed safer to stick my nose in a book to keep out of trouble. 

Saluda Community Land Trust’s (SCLT) next Walk in the Woods is August 3 to Vaugh’s Creek, an easy hike. This walk starts 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 (828) 749-1560 or email info@saludaclt.org

On August 8, the Top of the Grade concert features R. Shayne Floyd and his band with songs from his 2025 album, Heights of the Land. In case of rain, the concert moves to the park pavilion. Remember to bring a lawn chair, or a cushion for the new amphitheater seating.

Saluda’s restaurants will gladly fix you a take-out order. You may bring wine/beer to the concert but please limit consumption to the seating area.

The Tailgate Market is every Friday from 4-6 through October at 214 E. Main Street, in front of the tennis courts at Saluda Elementary School. To get the weekly newsletter or apply to be a vendor, visit www.polkcountyfarms

Happy August Birthday to B.J. Kent, Paul Stoney, Jen Pace, Zack Pace, Don Mintz, Caroline Tindal, Nora Ward, Samantha Ward, Reeda Ward, Natalie Aabye, Verlie Murphy, Peter Eisenbrown, Coleman Bradley, Ryan Bradley, Libby Archer, Cathy Jackson, Bill Jameson, Tayloe Francisco, Troy McAfee, Patricia Carmichael, Syman Thomas, Jade Burdett, Ron Bennett, Rob Schloss, Evan McGee, Terry Baisden, Hartmut Veil, and Pat White.