“The new grass rising in the hills, the cows loitering in the morning chill, a dozen or more old browns hidden in the shadows of the cottonwoods beside the streambed. I go higher to where the road gives up and there’s only a faint path strewn with lupine between the mountain oaks. I don’t ask myself what I’m looking for…”

~ excerpt from“Gospel”
by Philip Levine

A heart-felt Saluda THANK YOU goes out to all who volunteered for the Saluda Arts Festival, as well as those who came out to enjoy the day despite bouts of May showers. Thank you to the artists, shopkeepers and restaurants too. The Polk County Community Foundation’s Saluda Fund Grant funds music for the Saluda Arts Festival. The festival also was helped by a grant from the N.C. Arts Council, and great sponsors.

Taking a bright-pink umbrella for a rain-pattered walk to town, I strolled through the festival, enjoying colors, craft, music, food, dogs and hugs. In the afternoon, it was another trip back with River dog in tow (actually he was towing me as we got closer and closer to town). River gets excited by the promise of dog treats, friendly people and the chance to sniff other dogs.  With only one eye, he has a tough time with crowds, and I try to guide him toward the edge of things. However, he has decided he likes all the attention a cute Shar-Pei pup can get. “Ham” is his middle name! Music floated through the air, people smiled, bought art, visited: the rain held off. There’s just something about a small town on a spring-drizzled Saturday, a busy park with kids playing that calls to mind small-town America and all that is good in this world.