“As soon as I got up each morning, I started working in the gardens around the house. The bees were out, their numbers unusual in our yard, and I was surrounded by their small vibrating bodies. They followed me as I worked, but I like bees. They seem to know that I respect their nature, admire their industry, and understand that they are essential to all that grows.” 

~ Louise Erdrich, excerpt from “The Plague of Doves”

In between soft rain showers whispering down through summer leaves, bees work steadily in graceful fountains of flowers sparkling with crystal droplets. Inside, River and Pikachu curl lazily in favorite spots, unwilling to go out and battle the wet day. Bees, luckily, don’t have a streak of laziness unlike the rest of us around here.

Having a cat around again has made me ponder why cats know to the nano-second when you put fresh litter in their box, why they know when you’ve just made the bed with freshly sun-dried sheets and promptly decide it’s time to hack up a hairball on target—then vanish from the scene of the crime, leaving a surprise waiting for you as you round the corner, rubbing your hands in glee, thinking of that sweet bed and fluffed pillows waiting. (A dog stands near the crime scene, looking wracked with guilt. Cats just slink away, leaving the guileless dog to take the blame.)

Both critters also know to the second if you’re slow to get to the kitchen to fix their dinner. To ensure you get there in time, they start the reminder service at least 30 minutes early, maybe even an hour earlier to ensure promptness. At the appointed time, you’d better be ponying up din-din, or else. There are times when I wish MY din-din would magically appear in front of me, too!

Saluda Tailgate Market is open on Fridays from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the city parking lot off Main Street.

Saluda Welcome Table is every Tuesday. Dinner is served from 5:30-6:45 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; meet at Saluda Library parking lot at 2 p.m.  Wednesdays in August are open swim at Twin Lakes, children must have adult supervision. Contact SCLT at 828-749-1560 or visit www.saludasclt.org. 

There’s a free Veterans’ Breakfast at Ward’s Grill every third Thursday of the month. Bring along a fellow vet and join in! 

Saluda Historic Depot is located at 32 West Main Street and is open Thursday – Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Saluda Train Tales are held on the third Friday each month at 7 p.m. through October. The next Train Tales on August 18 at 7 p.m. will feature Raymond “Bo” Brown, Sr., collector and writer.

Saluda Center will have a community potluck and bingo night on August 28, 6 p.m. Bring a dish to share.

Top of the Grade Concerts schedule at McCreery Park: August 11 – Casual Zealots, September 1 – Super 60s. Music is from 7-9 p.m.

Saluda School will be back in business at the end of this month! August 24 is “Meet the Teachers” from 3-5 p.m.; August 28 is the first day of school.

Mark your calendars for the Charlie Ward Memorial Pig Out on September 9, 5-7 p.m. at McCreery Park.

Saluda Get-Well wishes go to Peggy Ellwood, Tom Ellwood, and Rita Igoe.

Happy August Birthday to B.J. Kent, Linda Kaye Haynes, Paul Stoney, Jen Pace, Zack Pace, Don Mintz, Caroline Tindal, Nora Ward, Samantha Ward, Reeda Ward, Natalie Aabye, Verlie Murphy, Peter Eisenbrown, Coleman Bradley, Ryan Bradley, and Libby Archer.

Thank you, dear readers, for reading this column. You can contact me at bbardos@gmail.com, 828-749-1153 or bonniebardosart.com.