“And the days are not full enough

And the nights are not full enough

And life slips by like a field mouse

      Not shaking the grass”

~ Ezra Pound, from

“Poems of Lustra”

There was a light breeze brushing tender thoughts on this July morning, verdant grass lush underfoot.

Pushing the coffee pot “ON”, I headed out with River Dog to sniff the air. While he waters the sidewalk garden, I tend day lilies and pull a few weeds: it’s a team effort.

Afterwards, I pour coffee in that favorite turquoise-lined mug, bee-lining for the porch swing —  now painted “ballerina pink.”

Sometimes I don’t know what gets into me out there on that front porch, but there’s been a lot of painting going on: on the easel, and occasionally things like the front door (now teal blue) and giving the swing a makeover in pink. Nothing is safe from the brush and imagination. Watch out, River!

So, I drift peacefully on that pink swing in splashes of early sunlight, soft breeze, cup warming hands, watching River bask, hummingbirds swoop, pink-lemonade honeysuckle twining gracefully around lattice — and know the days are not full enough. But the mornings, oh, those mornings of summer sun and blackberries on the vine, of ripe peaches, little kids playing tag; and, the next thing you know, those kids are married, having babies, or 6 feet tall and coming up for hugs at Coon Dog Day…and life has slipped by like a field mouse.

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

• 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.

• Saluda Community Land Trust 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; the next walk is Sunday to Little Bradley Falls. Meet at Saluda Library’s parking lot at 2 p.m. to carpool. You can reach SCLT at 828-749-1560 or visit saludasclt.org. Contact Chuck Hearon for hike information at 828-817-0364 or chearon@skyrunner.net.

• Saluda Historic Depot is located at 32 W. Main St., 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 one will be at 7 p.m. Friday, July 20, with Frank Thompson.

• Saluda Living in Place offers free blood pressure checks/diabetes screening from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month, at Saluda United Methodist’s Wesley Cottage, 132 Greenville St. 

• Call for auditions! All ages and talents welcome (vocalists, musicians, magicians, comedians, dancers, acrobats, animal acts, etc.) — auditions can be scheduled for The Saluda Historic Depot Theater Group’s presentation “Saluda’s Got Talent.” The Saluda Historic Depot is co-hosting a ‘60’s “Rock & Roll” dinner/dance along with The Party Place & Event Center on Saturday, July 21, as a fundraiser for Neighbors United that will include the talent show. (The event will be held at The Party Place). For information, contact Corinne Gerwe at 828-749-4803, cell: 828-817-1060 or  cgerwe@rsnet.org

• Saluda Sympathy goes to Melissa Weinstein, for the loss of her husband Fred.

• 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 Honeycutt, Melissa Justus, Hunter Justus, Alyssa Justus, Lin Savage, Doug Taylor, Amanda Anderson and Gail Slaughter.

Thank you for reading this column; as ever, the goal is to make you feel like you’re enjoying small town life in a friendly mountain town called Saluda. Feel free to contact me at bbardos@gmail.com, 828-749-1153, or visit bonniebardosart.com.