“There is a vitality, a life-force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and be lost.” ~Martha Graham  

 

Monday morning found me down on hands and knees on the bedroom rug, crawling   unceremoniously around the bed hunting a pair of leather walking shoes, one well-chewed from River dogís naughty-puppy stage two years ago. I spied them, naturally out of armís reach, so I had to haul myself back up, hunt a broom, then re-crawl most undignified, pushing the dusty shoe lumps out into light. The thought of, ìWow, lucky-me-can-still-get-up,î dawned during these calisthenics.

Naturally, a new crop of dust bunnies, grown to eating size no less, hatched out since Iíd last cleaned under the bed. Martha Stewart surely would pinch her mouth in disapproval and hiss. I fished out a few bunny families, dusted shoes while smiling lovingly at Riverís gnaw decorations, and figured living alone may not be a bad thing after all. There is no one around to snicker at the sight of a large derriËre poked up–as a certain person we wonít name crawls around a bed, sweat-jacket hoodie falling over noggin, broom in hand, whispering incantations to self about mutant dust bunnies served up by Martha on a garnished platter with chewed-up sneakers.

After all that for a jump-start, I got the notion since I had those yard-work-worthy well-chewed sneakers on, that itíd be a perfect time to mow. Now, all of you know my feelings about mowing! However, winter is upon us, and gas should be emptied out of yard equipment. Figuring the mower would surely run out of gas in five minutes, maybe less, I pulled my nemesis out of the log shed, fired it up after a few tries, and started pushing. I mowed the front yard. The half grass strip I have not yet tilled. I mowed the side yard. The back. The neighborís front yard. The neighborís side yard. Back to my side yard and paths again.

The mower kept going and going, Energizer-Bunny-Mower it suddenly decided to become. (What is it with all these bunnies, today?) Well, Dear Reader, I was the one out of gas by then. I pulled the sweat jacket off, sweating indeed, and that bloominí mower kept on going.

Keep in mind that Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) meets twice a month and also would love to have you volunteer! Also, Saluda Center would be glad to have your help too; whether Meals On Wheels, or another project; and Saluda School can always use tutors and volunteers of all kinds, just inquire. Volunteers make the world go roundóhats off and big thank-yous to those who volunteer.

 

Thereíll be a special holiday tailgate market on November 29 from 1-3 p.m. with craft, holiday trees, wreaths, produce and more.

 

The annual Polk County Toy Run begins at Saluda Fire Department, 64 Greenville Street, with registration from 11 a.m. ñ 2 p.m. Parade ride starts at 2 p.m. Every year, I go out front and watch all the motorcycles take off, roaring. Some have toys strapped on for a ride – a most worthy cause.

 

Saluda sympathy goes to the family of a Saluda treasure, Ruth Lawter, a native of Saluda.

 

Happy birthday to Rich and Rita Igoe, Karen Johnson, Marsha Jenkins, Nancy Barnett, Dawn Pearson, Charles Pearson, Dusty Jespersen, Gwen Garren, Stoney Lamar, Jim Boyle, Tom Ellwood, Frank Beeson, Wendy McEntire, Aaron Burdett, Richard Baker, Donna Potruski, and Jane Thompson. Please add your birthday to the list.

 

Thank you, dear readers for reading this column. It’s my goal to make you feel as if you were enjoying a visit with a cup of fragrant steaming tea warming your hands and heart on a late November afternoon. Your comments always mean the world to me, both from those who know me, and those who walk up and introduce themselves—I love and appreciate all of you.  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.