“I am learning a little—never to be sure—

To be positive only with what is past,

And to peer sometimes at the things to come

As a wanderer treading the night

When the mazy stars neither point nor beckon,

And of all the roads, no road is sure.”

~ Carl Sandburg, excerpt from “Experience”

Sunday afternoon after Coon Dog Day found me lazy and with a large bowl of ripe peaches from Atkins Produce Stand. Lazy or not, I looked at those peaches and figured it was time to bake a peach pie. Never, ever think you’re going to be lazy if you get committed to peeling peaches and rolling out pie dough. It’s work! Later, after the beautiful peach pie was cooling, I stood back and admired my handiwork as River sniffed the air in appreciation.

With thunder in the background despite sunshine, I hurried out to the front porch to bring paintings-in-progress inside. A couple with walking sticks stood out on the sidewalk, looking over the hedge, admiring the front garden. Upon speaking to them, paintings in hand, I found out they were from Europe, although they live in Asheville. They admitted to parking downtown after dinner and meandering the streets, dreaming of living here. He, a photographer, she a teacher, had gotten tired of traffic and larger city life.

You can’t help but like those souls who appreciate flowers and your old shabby house—they admired the fishpond, porch, paintings, and then got invited in for mint tea and peach pie. Now, that is Saluda. Bet you don’t get that in Asheville! After they’d declared the pie the best they’d ever had and practically licked the plates clean, I figured they’d be back at the local realtors, house hunting soon.

Saluda Tailgate Market is open on Fridays from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the city parking lot off Main Street. Local honey, fresh produce, baked goodies, plants, and much more!

Saluda Welcome Table is every Tuesday with dinner served from 5:30-7 p.m. in the fellowship hall of Saluda United Methodist Church. All are welcome; donations accepted.

Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) benefits from your donations or time as a volunteer for their many community projects. “Walks in the Woods” are on the first and third Sundays each month. Free swimming lessons are being held at Twin Lakes this summer. Contact SCLT at 828-749-1560 or visit www.saludasclt.org.

Saluda Center will feature Saluda Crafters for the July art show, with a reception on July 14, 5:30-7 p.m.

Saluda Train Tales are held at Saluda Historic Depot (HistoricSaluda.org) on the third Friday each month April through October. The next one is “How the West Was Won” with Ray Rapp, July 15 at 7 p.m. The Depot is open Thursday through Sunday noon-4 p.m.

There’ll be a free breakfast for all veterans at Ward’s Grill on July 21, 8-10 a.m.

The next Saluda Center Potluck and Bingo night is July 25 at 6 p.m.

The Saluda branch of Tree City USA meets at 5:30 p.m. on the fourth Thursday each month at Saluda Library.

Social Singles potluck (singles over 40) begins again in August on the second Thursday of every month at Saluda Center. The next one is August 11 at 6 p.m.

Happy July Birthday to Doris Marion, Debi Thomas, Rheta Foster, Nancy Weinhagen, Lisa Obermiller, Kathy Thompson, Bill Jameson, Emily Rose Ford, Jeremy Ford, Mike Cass, Emma Jean McGraw, Nathen Pack, Melissa Justus, Hunter Justus, Alyssa Justus, Tona Justus, and Lynn Savage. Add your birthday to the list!

Saluda get-well wishes go to Cheryl Harbin and Clay Arrington.

 Thank you, dear readers for reading this column! It’s always my goal to make you feel like you’re having a front porch visit, enjoying a summer-sweet pace of life in a small town called Saluda. If you have something of note or a birthday to add to the list, feel free to contact me at bbardos@gmail.com or 749-1153. You may also visit my website at bonniebardosart.com or find me on Facebook.