“So early it’s still almost dark out.

I’m near the window with coffee,
and the usual early morning stuff
that passes for thought.

When I see the boy and his friend
walking up the road
to deliver the newspaper.

They wear caps and sweaters,
and one boy has a bag over his shoulder.

They are so happy
they aren’t saying anything, these boys.

I think if they could, they would take
each other’s arm.

It’s early in the morning,
and they are doing this thing together.

They come on, slowly.

The sky is taking on light;
though the moon still hangs pale over the water.

Such beauty that for a minute
death and ambition, even love,
doesn’t enter into this.

Happiness.
It comes on
unexpectedly.
And goes beyond, really,
any early morning talk about it.”
— Raymond Carver,
“Happiness”

Sunday evening the phone rang: someone asked if I’d be home, and would I mind a bit of company; all I was doing was sitting out on the deck with River dog watching gold rays slant through trees, sparkling fairies flit in the glow.
Come on over, I said — suddenly glad for a bit of company on a Sunday eve. Hurrying through the house turning on a few lights, kicking dog toys out of the way, I greeted my company at the front door: she was standing there with a smile and fresh-baked apple cinnamon bread.
We ventured through the house, me eager to show off a thrift-shop find of a Mission/Arts & Crafts oak table newly ensconced in the kitchen. Then I asked where she’d like to sit: back deck, living room? How about the front porch, she said, brightening up.
There we went: out to the porch, birds talking evening chatter, Bat Man softly winging out from his perch in the porch eaves, a quiet shadow. Cars whispered by: we sat laughing, talking about anything and everything: food, gardens, the loss of her husband, school buses, funny things, life. A rocking chair creaked, the evening a dream-like peacefulness.
It brought to mind times when folks would do that: sit and talk, saying anything or nothing, just visiting companionably. No one enraptured with a cell phone or  i-Pad talking, texting, staring at television. We might snap beans, sew, whittle or such, but there was a thread of togetherness in such a simple thing.
Like being around a campfire, there was that cozy delight of being with others, of feeling loved. In just words and time, it was happiness.
Saluda Tailgate Market continues at West Main Street public parking lot on Fridays, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Many Saluda businesses are open later on Friday. Come enjoy the tailgate market, shop, eat, and enjoy music in our charming little town.
Saluda Welcome Table is every Tuesday; dinner from 5:30-7 p.m. in the fellowship hall of Saluda United Methodist Church. All welcome; donations accepted.
“Top of the Grade Concerts” concludes this month at McCreery Park’s Ella Grace Mintz stage on Friday, September 26, 7-9 p.m. with a grand finale performance by Scoot Pittman. These concerts are coordinated by the City of Saluda’s Downtown Foundation (Small Town Main Street) program, with funding through a community grant from Polk County Community Foundation. Thank you to ALL who support these free concerts!
There’ll be a potluck and bingo night at Saluda Center, September 29, 6 p.m.
Keep up with all that Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) does by visiting saludaclt.org or calling 828-749-1560.
Help Saluda School by donating box tops at the library, post office or school office.
Happy “47” Anniversary to Rich and Rita Igoe!
More get well wishes for Faye Chandler — please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. I’m happy to report that Wayne Thompson says he’s feeling a bit better.
Congratulations to Martha Stoney Anderson for winning several ribbons in the fair!
Happy September Birthday to Wayne Thompson, Connie Woodruff, 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 visit on the porch swing on a golden late-September afternoon. Please feel free to contact me at bbardos@gmail.com; or 749-1153. You may also visit my website at bonniebardos.com for more writing and art, or find me on Facebook.