By Bonnie J. Bardos 

“Life isn’t long enough to do all you could accomplish. And what a privilege even to be alive. In spite of all the pollutions and horrors, how beautiful this world is. Supposing you only saw the stars once every year. Think what you would think. The wonder of it!” ~ Tasha Tudor

 

Every now and then, I like to dust off an old column or two to reshare, because some things are timeless. Me dropping pizza all over the back steps has not reoccurred in the ensuing years since I first wrote these words. But it’s still worthy of smiling about, and a reminder of not sweating over the small things.

 

Colorful lights glow in December’s chilly nights, overhead a blanket of bright stars rise toward the winter moon. The countryside is quieter now, the resting time of year, stubble rows of cornstalks in fields, stark branches embroidering a pearl gray sky … a time to seek shelter in the warmth of home and hearth.

One evening, tired from a long day at work, I picked up groceries, then a take-out pizza for dinner. Warm delicious scents filled the car as I drove in the cold night up the star-spangled Saluda grade shadowed by dark mountains to home. With several bags, pizza box and purse, there were two loads to haul in. Of course, being stubborn, I tried to haul it ALL at once — a recipe for certain disaster.

 

Along the rock walkway in the dark, I struggled. Up, up, up back steps to back porch. Almost, almost. It was not meant to be. The pizza box sailed, bouncing down steps, bags crashed, and I’m sure my neighbors’ ears are still ringing from oaths roaring to the night sky. The worse case scenario had happened: the pizza had escaped the box, strewn down the steps. Oh no! The wreckage was terrible. Sudden determination took over. That WAS my dinner and I was tired with no plans to cook. Most of the slices had landed crust down, and yes, I was more hungry than proud at that point.

 

Carefully, I gathered slices and brought them in, dusted off a maple leaf or two, and there it was. Dinner. It ended up being quite delicious. (Thank goodness for absence of sand!) Once upon a time, in less-wiser years, I might have thrown it out with a sneer. Now, no way I was wasting good food. It’s a probably a relief that no one was a guest at my table that night!

 

We learn as we go through life to celebrate small things with a sense of humbleness and joy, to find gratitude for life and living of the days we’re given. In this holiday season, it’s a sense of gratefulness for getting up in the morning, to keep a sense of humor about pizza accidents and make the most of things, to see a pileated woodpecker up high in an oak tree, to see stars clear and bright overhead on winter nights, as Christmas tree lights and winter stars bring memories of those we love and remember in our hearts.

 

Saluda Welcome Table resumes Jan. 5.

 

Saluda Historic Depot has a Holiday Gallery through Dec. 31, Thursday – Sunday, 12 – 4 p.m.

 

Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) would love to have you volunteer or be a member. Learn more by visiting saludaclt.org or calling 828-749-1560.

 

Saluda School’s holiday break is Dec. 19 – Jan. 3.

 

There’ll be a community potluck and bingo night at Saluda Center on Dec. 28 at 6 p.m.

 

Cary Pace tells me that he, David Parris, and other local craftspeople are showing their work at the Crust and Kettle restaurant/shop on Ozone Drive near I-26. It’s worth stopping by for lunch and checking out their craftwork! It was good to catch up with Cary on a rainy day last week. He also has a new pup riding along with him!

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, Laura Fields, Lord Blanton, Beth Brand, Jim Carson and Tom DeKay.

 

Thank you, dear readers for reading this column. As ever, the goal is to make you feel like you’re enjoying a cup of hot tea in a friendly little mountain town. Feel free to contact me at bbardos@gmail.com or 749-1153. I always love hearing from you! Or visit bonniebardosart.com for more writing and art, or find me on Facebook.