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By Bonnie J. Bardos

I slept in my small room and all night—
or what passed for night that far north—
the geography of the world outside my window
was breaking and falling and changing shape.
And I woke to it and looked at it and didn’t speak.

~ Dorianne Laux, excerpt from “Juneau”

Veils of white mist drift low, kissing verdant-green hills, sky a dove-gray promise of showers. Again. And again. It’s another mushroom-growing week, at least from the forecast.

One thing about silver sky and water drops trickling down window panes on a early misty morning: it’s an excuse to lie back in bed (wishing coffee would make itself) and watch flowers on an emerald-moss carpet against an old stone wall, delicate branch etchings, birds flitting…water rippling peacefully.

Thoughts, like the day, dawn slow and lazy. Striped-cotton sheets are smooth, soft…the walls conch-shell pink, vintage glass jars hold roses and white hydrangea. Lace curtains drawn aside to the world of mist, moss and stone; yellow coreopsis defy gray, bright sunshine faces smiling in the upper terrace. A garden feeds your soul on rainy mornings, out the windows.

Pikachu, with her crooked ear, purple collar and tinkling bell, waits quietly at the door until she hears stirring, feet whispering into slippers, sliding across the wood floor means time to meow-meow-meow for breakfast.

Cats are not known to be considerate in the mornings (or any time for that matter), but at least she waits until a certain person has woke up. I did not tell her I’d been watching the early morning through windows already.

Maybe with age, we’re both willing to give a little more lee-way. Cat first, coffee “ON” button next. You can’t tell a cat they’re second in line!

The Saluda Tailgate Market’s opening is delayed until mid-June.

Keep up with Saluda Community Land Trust’s latest projects: visit saludaclt.org or call 828-749-1560 to learn more. Donations always appreciated. SCLT’s trails can benefit from regular clearing and pick-up. If you’d like to help, contact Trail Boss Chuck Hearon at 828-817-0364 or chearon@skyrunner.net.

The Community Pop-up Pantry is open for drive-through each Tuesday, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Saluda Presbyterian Church parking lot. Please follow guidelines for car line-up at Saluda Baptist Church parking lot. To volunteer, call Saluda Church of the Transfiguration, 828-749-9740. Send donations to Church of the Transfiguration, designated for Pop-Up Pantry, 72 Charles Street, Saluda NC 28773. Thank you, pantry volunteers!

Saluda Historic Depot & Museum is open Thursday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Face coverings, safe distancing and limits of people to 10 at a time will take place. The new Saluda Visitor Center will be open with the same schedule. Our shops and restaurants are being careful, trying to re-open in a safe manner. Please support our small businesses any way you can! Visit Saluda.com to see updates on local businesses, re-openings, plus take-out/on-line ordering information.

Saluda’s 57^th Coon Dog Day is slated for July 11.

Saluda Library is offering curbside pick-up weekdays for items requested through the on-line catalog.

Don’t forget the Polk County Recycling Mobile Unit comes to Tickle Family Chiropractor at corner of Ozone/176 every Tuesday from 7:00 a.m. – noon.

Happy May Birthday to Amy Copeland, Corinne Gerwe, Chris Anderson, Mark Jackson, Cary Pace, Lisa Hipp, Trevor Young, Jemme Latell, Paul Marion, Jesse Thomas, Margaret Sease, Elizabeth Baldwin, Chad Baldwin, Lynn Cass, Thelma Jones, Betsy Burdett, Melia Bradley, June Taylor, Robin Kirby, Kevin Matthews and Stella Barnett. Add your birthday to the list!

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