“Easeful air
presses through the screen
with the wild, complex song
of the bird, and I am overcome 

by ordinary contentment.
What hurt me so terribly
all my life until this moment?
How I love the small, swiftly
beating heart of the bird
singing in the great maples;
its bright, unequivocal eye.” 

~ Jane Kenyon, excerpt from “Having It Out With Melancholy” 

 

Despite groaning over the hassle of daylight savings time, I have to admit to being grateful for the gift of watching sunset and longer evenings.  

On dark winter nights, I often crawl into a warm bed with a good book; but this time sat outside watching the evening glow, the tender-soft doves, the bluebirds busy at their nest. Early grape hyacinths follow crocuses, a stitching of color in the garden, here and there. Lenten roses nod heads of ivory, pink, citron in agreement.  

Spring, sweet spring is less than a week away! (I won’t even mention having to haul the lawn mower out yet—winter does have SOME advantages…) 

I still think we humans should leave the time alone: days grow longer anyway, and it jolts the system to upheave it every six months. The time is the time is the time, a March rabbit would say. We just have to fiddle and fuss with every thing, don’t we? I’m with the rabbit: leave well enough be.  

Saluda Business Association is accepting applications for the 16th annual Saluda Arts Festival on May 18.  Entry deadline is March 15; download application at saluda.com. 

  

For information on Saluda Living in Place (SLIP) programs and upcoming events, contact SLIP’s office at (828) 490-1040.  

 

Sing! With the Saluda Community Singers on Tuesdays, 7-8:30 p.m. at Saluda Presbyterian Church.  

 

There’ll be a community potluck and bingo night at Saluda Center, March 25, 6 p.m. Bring a favorite dish to share!  

 

Learn more about Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) by visiting saludaclt.org or calling 828-749-1560. SCLT’s 12th Annual Meeting is May 1, 6 p.m. at Saluda Center. For  information on joining “Walks in the Woods”, contact Chuck Hearon at (828) 817-0364 or chearon@skyrunner.net; the walks this season start off with a spring wildflower walk at Twin Bridges on March 17; meet 2 p.m. at Saluda Library to carpool.  

 

Saluda’s Historic Depot is open Tuesday-Saturday 10:30-5:00,  Sunday 12-4. Train Tales will be March 15, 7 p.m. with Forrest Jarrett, a retired law officer for Southern and Norfolk-Southern Railway. Donations can be made by mailing to Saluda Historic Depot, P.O. Box 990, Saluda, NC 28773 or SaludaHistoricDepot.com. 

 

You can still get your pet’s/favorite person’s or your name engraved on a brick paver for Pace Park! Pavers for Pace Park is a community fund-raiser to support the completion of installing public restrooms for a “pocket park” on Main Street. Applications/payment can be left at City Hall or mailed to City of Saluda, 6 Main Street, Saluda, NC 28773. For information, contact Catherine Ross at 828-749-3534 or carnc@charter.net. 

 

Happy March Birthday to: Faye Chandler, Genell Jespersen, Valerie Mintz, Sheldon Mintz, Curtis Pace, Anita Odgen Moore, Charles Weinhagen, Kevin Kerr, Dorrie McKinley, Catherine Ross, Monica Pace, Ken Justus,  Elizabeth Justus,  Arlene Klippel, Rachel Bradley, Chris Bradley,  Martha Stoney Anderson, Dawn Ward, Peggy Wolf, Dori Ray, Martin Anderson, Lucy Holman, Craig Bass, Laura Bass, Patty Martin, Dana Browning, Tangie Morgan, Melanie Keener, Erica Shanks, and John Dean. Add your birthday for the list! This month, I wish Martha Stoney Anderson a VERY Happy Birthday—not that I’m going to mention her age since she’s under 100 and over 2!  

 

Feel free to contact me at bbardos@gmail.com, (828) 749-1153, or visit bonniebardosart.com