“…you find yourself studying the fine colors on the river, you feel wonder and awe at the setting of the sun, and you are filled with a hard, aching love for how the world could be and always should be, but now is not.” ~ Tim O’Brien, “The Things They Carried”

 

October arrives with a suitcase of azure-blue sky and sunshine; face-high spider webs catch us unaware, black walnuts and acorns drum a steady beat upon the ground; bright mums and pansies beckon gardeners. I drag my old beat-up Mantis tiller out: having named him “Manty” years ago with affection. Manty balks a little, after lazing about all summer it’s hard to get going. However, with coaxing he roars to life and we tackle the front strip near the mailbox.

There’s a notion planted in my noggin that I’m tired of mowing that strip, and have a vision of planting it with perennials and drought-resistant plants, low-growing herbs and veggies tucked in for folks to pick or enjoy the scent of as they walk by. This is not exactly a speedy project, but I did start, dividing plants from the back yard to bring up front, hauling compost in the garden cart.

Naturally, the more I did, the more there was to do: the mailbox needed repainting as well as the little whirligig that swirls in the breeze, rather than buy a new one.

To be honest, I’m tired of grass. It’s like a beautiful person with no substance: it’s nice to look at for a while, but it takes a huge amount of maintenance, you get nothing in return, and you wouldn’t want to live with it forever. While I don’t water and feed mine, I have this notion that grass is pretty wasteful of water and energy—that it better serves the planet to nurture hardy plants for bees and birds, for food, and teach others that here’s a better way: look, it’s possible! It’s my intention to try to make things a little better in this world, in small ways. I also hope that people driving or walking by find some semblance of joy when they look, and think maybe, just maybe they’d like to do the same.

Saluda Tailgate Market continues through the end of October from the West Main Street parking lot 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. with fall produce and friendly folks.

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.

Music and art will be at the Autumn Artists Fair supporting local artists and craftspeople at Nostalgia Courtyard, October 4, 10-4 p.m.

Keep up with all that Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) does by visiting saludaclt.org or calling 828-749-1560. Walks in the Woods are October 5 and 19; meet at 2 p.m. at Saluda Library parking lot. Enjoy an informative “Kudzu Education” program for adults and kids at a free (and delicious!) chili dinner with SCLT at Saluda Center, October 9, 6 p.m.

Saluda Downtown Foundation (formerly Small Town Main Street) meets Tuesday, October 7, 4:30 p.m. at Saluda Library.

The Historic Saluda Committee and Oral History Committee meets October 10, 2 p.m. at Saluda Library.
There’ll be an Octoberfest with Chef Irmy cooking up tasty German favorites at The Back Alley Barn/Boarding House Venue behind Thompson’s Store/Ward’s Grill on October 12 from 12-6 p.m. Contact Judy Ward at Thompson’s Store (828) 749-2321 for information.

Saluda Garden Club meets October 20, 10 a.m. at library for carpool to a garden tour.

Community potluck and bingo, Saluda Center, October 27, 6 p.m. Bring something to share. Mark your calendar for the Saluda Halloween Stroll, Thursday, October 31, 3 -6 p.m. on Main St.

Help Saluda School: box top collection containers are located in at the library, post office, and school office.

Happy October Birthday to Patricia Case, Joan Barker, Gary Corn, Aaron Bradley, Amanda Burrell, Lisa Orr, Marilyn Prudhomme, Bubba Dawson, Kirby Jackson, Mary Ann Asbill, Sheila Billeter, and Carol Thompson. Please add your name to the list; no age mentioned unless you’re under two or over 100!

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 October 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.