“The world is violent and mercurial — it will have its way with you. We are saved only by love — love for each other and the love that we pour into the art we feel compelled to share: being a parent; being a writer; being a painter; being a friend. We live in a perpetually burning building, and what we must save from it, all the time, is love.”

~ Tennessee Williams

It’s that time of year when almost-imperceptible changes mark turning of earth toward a different season: I mark it yearly, watching how morning light softens, a yellow leaf drifts, cicada songs change. At night, a little screech owl make his big noise, and I smile.

Lavender spikes of Joe Pye weed rise along back-roads, butterflies circling. Afternoon shadows change, a touch of blue, glimpses of green through forest. A young rabbit freezes ahead of me and River out on our evening walk, a squirrel leaping toward him. River, with his one eye, misses it all and keeps that soft snout intent on interesting sniffs along the path. (What would he do if the rabbit jumped in front of him, the squirrel in hot pursuit?)

No danger of that, I think. We continue peacefully ambling on Saluda-time: River sniffing, me philosophizing over one yellow leaf and bright-orange jewel weed blossoms, before it all fleets…once again.

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

• Saluda Women’s Club meets at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Saluda Presbyterian Church.

• The next Saluda Train Tales will take place at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17, at Saluda Historic Depot. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Learn about the history of the Infants’ & Children’s Sanitarium from three grandchildren (Nettie Sweet, VeeVee Blackshear, and Clara Carter) who live in Saluda, of Dr. Lesesne Smith, who’ll share how the baby hospital came to be in Saluda and the impact on health of children in the South three decades before antibiotics became available in the 1940’s.

• Saluda School Reunion will be at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17. If you’re a former student or teacher, you’re invited along with spouse/guests. Contact Tangie Morgan at 828-777-9158 for information.

• Saluda Community Land Trust’s “Walks in the Woods” are on the first and third Sundays each month. The Moody Trail on Sunday, Aug. 19, is the next walk (within walking distance from downtown). Meet at Saluda Library’s parking lot at 2 p.m. You can reach SCLT at 828-749-1560 or visit www.saludasclt.org  Contact Chuck Hearon for hike information at 828-817-0364 or chearon@skyrunner.net.

• Saluda School News: “Community For Children” is an informational meeting for the community, which will take place at 10 a.m. on Monday at school media center. “Meet The Teachers” day will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 23; the first day of school is Monday, Aug. 27. Breakfast and lunch are free for every child this year! To learn more, visit Saluda School’s website at sal.polkschools.org.

• Top of the Grade Concerts at Top of the Grade Park at McCreery Park continue with O’Neal Township on Friday, Aug. 24, and Sound Investments on Friday, Sept. 7. Concerts are sponsored by Saluda Downtown Foundation and funded through Saluda Business Association. Performances are held on Ella Grace Mintz Stage from 7 to 9 p.m.

• 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, Libby Archer, Rodney Thompson, Cathy Jackson, Bill Jameson, and Tayloe Francisco. 

Contact Bonnie at bbardos@gmail.com, 828-749-1153 or visit bonniebardosart.com.