“If you feel lost, disappointed, hesitant, or weak, return to yourself, to who you are, here and now and when you get there, you will discover yourself, like a lotus flower in full bloom, even in a muddy pond, beautiful and strong.”
Masaru Emoto ~ Secret Life of Water 

 

The grass leaps high in a pasture down the way, wind gracefully ripples through it, creating waves upon waves. It is beautiful: reminding me of the ocean as River and I pause to watch.  

In another pasture over yon hill and around the curve, new calves laze in afternoon sunshine, curled into plush beds of spring grass the color of emeralds, their mothers grazing peacefully near by.  

Dear Reader, I just have to roll the window down and speak to the little fellows, the donkey, the rotund groundhog at the roadside. I tell the groundhog to watch for bad drivers, the donkey hello, and the calves to enjoy their siesta. After all, I enjoy seeing all of the critters along the way—and hope my mugshot isn’t on the 5:00 news for strange behavior.  

Yes, I can just visualize it now…crazy woman talks to roadside animals! I wave at ‘em too. Sue me. They don’t seem to mind a bit.  

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—all are welcome, and it’s a great time to join or renew membership, and hear about SCLT’s projects and plans. For information on helping clear trails or joining “Walks in the Woods”, contact Chuck Hearon at (828) 817-0364 or chearon@skyrunner.net; the May 5 walk will be to Ollie’s Falls along Joel’s Creek. Meet and carpool from Saluda Library’s parking lot at 2 p.m. 

 

Mark your calendar to attend the Step Back in History program on May 11, 10:00 a.m. at Saluda Center, featuring the story of Madame Phoebe Sullivan as told by Maxine Wilkerson. Madame Sullivan was a healer, herb doctor, mystic, prophet, and leader in Saluda’s black community. Saluda Community Land Trust will co-host this event and will discuss their efforts to rebuild Sullivan’s Temple, founded by Madame Sullivan. 

 

Saluda Historic Depot is open Tuesday-Saturday 10:30-5:00, Sunday 12-4. Donations can be made by mailing to Saluda Historic Depot, P.O. Box 990, Saluda, NC 28773 or SaludaHistoricDepot.com.  

 

Jerry’s Baddle, an annual multi-sport Green River race is April 27, starting at 1 p.m. The event was started in 2006 in honor of Jerry Beckwith, who was diagnosed with ALS. For information on registration, route maps, rules, how to donate, etc., visit jerrysbaddle.org.  

 

Saluda Center potluck and bingo night is April 29 at 6 p.m. 

 

Good News: Saluda Tailgate Market starts its 10th season on May 3 from 4:30 to 6:30 in the city’s parking lot on West Main Street.  

 

Saluda Get-Well goes to Doris Marion.  

 

Garden Tip: Cardboard boxes (without staples) such as flattened pizza boxes or package boxes make great weed control. Who needs expensive landscape material when you have cardboard? I pull any plastic packing tape off. Just put it down where you need, top with a thick layer of mulch, and there you go.  

 

Happy April Birthday to: Martha Ashley, Melody Gibson, Dave Prudhomme, Kaye Vazquez, Cindy Keeter, Betty Anna Brown, Hope Pace, Diane Pace, Ruth Anderson, Greaton Sellers, Clay Arrington, Bonnie Bardos, Luther Connor, Gary Pace, Doug Honeycutt, Niece Lundgren, Julie Roy, Tommy Williamson, Rhonda Corley, Taylor Staggs, Loretta Cook, and Hilda Pace. Add your name to the list—no ages mentioned unless you’re under 2 or over 100!  

 

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