“I liked the solitude and the silence of the woods and the hills. I felt there the sense of a presence, something undefined and mysterious, which was reflected in the faces of the flowers and the movements of birds and animals, in the sunlight falling through the leaves and in the sound of running water, in the wind blowing on the hills and the wide expanse of earth and sky.” 

~ Bede Griffiths

 

In December, night arrives early: Christmas lights create a warm glow. At dusk, I watch the pink lemonade sunset brush charcoal gray through quiet woods: then come back inside to stir a pot of homemade chicken and dumplings: comfort food. In the kitchen, multi-colored strands of lights hang like jewels from wood beams, shining copper pots dangle. When there’s something simple, warm and delicious on the stove (a happy River dog helping underfoot), I ask myself just what more could make an evening peaceful and full.

Even the Christmas tree is up, put together by yours truly. Years ago, it took me hours of frustration to deal with the two bazillion color-coded branches. Now I spend 15 minutes on that rascal: just put it together the ‘artist’ way without following directions. By the time the decorations are added on, who’d know the difference?

Community:

On Dec. 7 from 4-7 p.m. and Dec. 8 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., visit the holiday market above Thompson’s Store on Main Street: vendors and local artists will have goodies for sale. There is now an elevator available for those who need it. At my 1895 Art House at 285 Greenville Street, I’ll have an open studio evening from 6-8 p.m. Ellen Trnka will be playing at the Saluda Inn’s wine cellar next door: the wine cellar opens at 7 p.m. Parking available at the fire department or Saluda Inn.

Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) will be doing the Adopt-A-Highway cleanup on Monday, Dec. 10; meet in the parking lot of Saluda Library at 10 a.m.

Our annual Hometown Christmas on Dec. 14, 6-8 p.m. is sponsored by the Saluda Business Association. Charming Main Street brings to mind a simpler place and times past. Stores on Main Street and over the bridge downtown glow with warm light as music sweetens the night — luminaries lead the way up Greenville Street to the Saluda Inn where artists and craftspeople will sell gift items from 6:30-9:30 p.m., and on up to the Oaks Bed and Breakfast for warm cider and holiday cheer with Dale and Donna Petroski. At 8:30 p.m., the evening wraps up with an Ecumenical Service at Saluda Presbyterian Church.