Maybe it’s just me, but the passing of time has been faster and faster. I haven’t yet recovered from last December, and here it is upon us again! What happened? How did it get here again so quickly?

It’s a cold foggy day in Saluda. A bowl of steaming homemade soup will fit the ticket for a warmer-upper. I made a pot of turkey soup after enjoying leftover turkey that friends gifted me from Thanksgiving dinner. It was sort of a stone soup, with a little of this, a little of that in it. Never turn down leftovers!

On Thanksgiving, I had walked River dog down the street. The winds were bitter, and we hurried faster than usual. Upon walking by the propane tank, as ever in wicked weather, paranoid me was driven to check the amount left, so I could worrywart myself about fill up costs. Nothing like worrying in advance, right?

The street garbage can stays beside the propane tank, so I thought I’d take a peek in there to make sure the trash guys had taken my recycling bag. It’s a good thing I was being so nosy out there, because down at the bottom of the icy trash can was a surprise —one very small, pitiful, wet possum, trembling with cold and fear of the wild woman looking in at him. The poor little guy didn’t even bother to hiss at me as I gently got him out. I’d have invited him in for some warm sweet potatoes I felt so sorry for him, but he slowly waddled off through the back garden, dragging his sad tail like Eeyore. All afternoon, I thought of the cold, wet little guy and hoped he ended up with a Thanksgiving meal too, and how grateful I was to have discovered him in time. River just rooted around in leaves and totally ignored Mr. Possum during the rescue. Some guard dog he was!

Need a special gift that will help Saluda and last longer than the holidays? Consider a brick paver for Pace Park with the name of your choice engraved. Proceeds go toward building public restrooms at this community park to be located downtown near M.A. Pace Store. For additional information, contact Catherine Ross at 828-749-3534 or carnc@charter.net.

Keep in mind that Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) meets twice a month and also would love to have you volunteer! The December SCLT meeting will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 10at SCLT’s office in the fellowship building of the Presbyterian Church. The guest speaker will talk about the Battle of Round Mountain.

Adopt-a-highway cleanup is scheduled for Dec. 8 at 10 a.m., meet at library parking lot. Supplies will be provided, just bring a friend.

Mark your calendars for the upcoming Saluda Hometown Christmas on Dec. 12 from 6-8 p.m. An ecumenical service will be held at Saluda Presbyterian Church at 8:15 p.m. Thank you to our Saluda Business Association for sponsoring this long-time favorite event!

The Saluda Children’s Christmas Workshop will be held at Saluda Fire Department on Dec. 13 from 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. This is a free event for kids age five and up.

All veterans are welcome to a free breakfast at Ward’s Grill on Dec. 18 from 8-10 a.m.

Autumn Care residents would appreciate a visit, a card, or a kind gesture during the holidays. Autumn Care of Saluda is located at 501 Esseola Dr. For more information call 828-749-2261.
Good luck to Courtney Hoots who worked at our friendly Macon Bank for six years. Her smiling face will be missed! Courtney has plans to work for a salon and other adventures.

Get well wishes to Cynthia at Salamander and her mom, too.

Happy December birthday to Judy Ward, Holly Wilkes, Theresa Wilkes, Perry Ellwood, Donnie Hunter, Jeff Bradley, Preston Mintz, Carolyn Morgan, Susan Casey, Jeff Jenkins, Nikki Ammerman, Cas Haskell, Mary O. Ratcliffe, Milton Thompson and Laura Fields.

Thank you for reading this column. As ever, the goal is to make you, dear reader, feel like you’re enjoying a cup of hot tea with me, and small town life in a friendly little mountain town called Saluda. You can contact me at bbardos@gmail.com or 828-749-1153, or visit my website at bonniebardos.com for more writing and art, or find me on Facebook.