“When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.” ~ John Muir

The last vestiges of Queen Anne’s Lace dance in an antique glass bottle on the kitchen windowsill, as September morning light shifts, slanting in different directions.
Speaking of last vestiges, the old toaster went out in a blaze of glory yesterday, English muffin left un-toasted (a crime), despite a sudden tongue of flame jolting from the grumpy appliance’s mouth in the grand finale. To be honest, I never liked that toaster. Not once. Although a metal one, it was pretty sorry from the day it arrived here: the cord installed backward, the lever often refusing to stay down. Good riddance, I hissed over the dead toaster carcass, more unhappy about an untoasted muffin than the fireball demise.
Sifting through on-line toaster offerings, I found one I liked. Yes, “only” a hundred bucks starting bid—and a-most-respectable 87 years old: art deco style, too. Vintage heavy metal and a work of art, folks. Probably needs a little work and a new cord, I sighed to myself, as I slapped my hand from clicking the “buy now” button. Somehow an eight dollar plastic Chinese box from Wally Mart just didn’t look so exciting compared to the handsome ‘real’ toaster, a relic from a day and time when appliances could last fifty years or in this case, more (it was not made in China, either). You KNOW that thing would catch fire too, I muttered to myself, looking at its elegant toaster lines longingly. The Great Gatsby probably had his toast from something exactly like this baby.
Having had enough of flaming toasters and untoasted English muffins, I ran in to Wally Mart for the eight dollar junk; Martha Ashley was on her way out, so we had a nice chat as shoppers streamed around us, all hunting those cheap-o toasters. After we finished, I headed over and found myself one. Eight dollars for a lightweight toaster in a box: it made me cringe to buy a cheap Chinese toaster, but it fit the starving artist budget, barely. Eight bucks is big money around here. But I’m still thinking about the Great Gatsby toaster. Oh my.
Saluda Tailgate Market continues at West Main Street public parking lot on Fridays, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Fall produce is coming in to market now—jeweled colors encompass yellows, reds, oranges, emerald, rich amethysts; a visual feast. Many Saluda businesses are open later on Friday. Come enjoy the tailgate market, shop, eat, and enjoy music in our charming little town.

The Green River games and festival is this weekend, Sept.. 5 and 6.

Women’s Club Annual picnic on Sept. 9, 5:30 at McCreery Park.

The Historic Saluda Committee meets with the Oral History Committee meets Sept. 12, 2-4 p.m. at Saluda Library; the public is invited.

“Top of the Grade Concerts” continue this month at McCreery Park’s Ella Grace Mintz stage on Friday, Sept. 12 and Sept. 26, 7-9 p.m. Sound Investment plays on the 12th, and Scoot Pittman will perform on the 26th.

Charlie Ward’s Pig-Out Memorial Barbecue is Sept. 13, 5–7 p.m. at McCreery Park. If you’d like to contribute, please make your check payable to Saluda Pig Out and take it to Macon Bank at 108 Main Street, or to Judy Ward at Thompson’s Store, or mail it to Saluda Pig Out, P. O. Box 265, Saluda N.C. 28773. Donations also accepted at the Pig-Out!

Saluda Community Land Trust will have Walks in the Woods on Sept.r 7 and 21. Join SCLT for Adopt-A-Highway cleanup; meet at Saluda Library parking lot at 9 a.m. on September 8 (rain date Sept. 15). All supplies provided, bring your friends! Keep up with all that SCLT does by visiting saludaclt.org or calling 828-749-1560.

Happy September Birthday to Courtney Hoots, Merci Weitzen, Dale McEntire, Joni Rauschenbach, Sonya Monts, Linda Kaye Hayes, Carol Kenfield, Debbie Fisher, Leslie Jespersen, Linda Mintz, Sheila Billeter, Cary Pace, Ross Arrington, Hop Foster, Chuck Hearon, Alexia Timberlake, and Clark Thompson.
Thank you, dear readers for reading this column. It’s my goal to make you feel as if you were enjoying a ‘Saluda Time’ visit on the porch swing, and warmly welcome in our small town of Saluda whether you live here or not, dreaming of being here, or are visiting. Please feel free to contact me at bbardos@gmail.com; or 828-749-1153. You may also visit my website at bonniebardos.com for more writing and art, or find me on Facebook.