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Saluda News & Notations

How exactly good it is
to know myself
in the solitude of winter,
my body containing its own
warmth, divided from all
by the cold; and to go
separate and sure
among the trees cleanly
divided, thinking of you
perfect too in your solitude,
your life withdrawn into
your own keeping
—to be clear, poised
in perfect self-suspension
toward you, as though frozen.
And having known fully the
goodness of that, it will be
good also to melt.

~ Wendell Berry, “The Cold”

Over the past few days of being snow-bound, there’s been a bread recipe on the counter, if I can pull myself together to bake—it’d be mighty good with Charleston 13-bean soup simmering. 

I’ve been out shoveling, tossing snowballs, checking the snow-buried compost bin and adding more birdseed to feeders. The main thing is not to slip (of course, I did—at least snow makes for an easy landing for old bones). 

Speaking of old bones, I’ve been researching ways to make mine benefit the earth (no hurry for that just yet). It’s wise to get educated on better ways. Not enough of us seem to like to discuss such, but I’ve always been interested in ‘green’ burial. When Mary Roach’s humorous, well-researched book “Stiff” came out years ago, it was on top of my reading stack. 

Personally, it seems rather nice to be wrapped up in a sheet and placed inside the earth in a quiet meadow or woodland, becoming a tree, or at least something useful, and quite wonderful, rather than artificially-preserved like a dried prune in a fancy box (for what?). We humans have a vanity issue combined with a fear of ourselves and nature. 

Back to the tree. This is an option these days, along with water cremation. Out in Denver, “Be A Tree” offers this service, with ashes returned to families – the option of being made into a tree – and fertilizer for flowers. No fire is used, just a mix of water and alkali gently do the cremation; which results in 90% less energy use.  

I think we do need to talk about it, and consider what’s best for the earth and future generations…rather than keep on a path of using up land, resources, expensive/damaging chemicals, etc. 

Outside the snow melts slowly, bit by bit; going back to earth, to water down in the roots. Nature’s lessons are in every season. 

Saluda Winter Market is every other Saturday through March at Saluda Center from 9-12, featuring local vendors with fresh produce, baked goods, and more. 

Saluda Historic Depot is closed January/February. Good luck to Judy Ward who was recognized recently for all her years of hard work with the Depot and Museum—she has moved to Hickory, NC to be closer to family—another adventure. Thank you, Judy, for all you’ve done for Saluda! 

Community potluck/bingo night is January 31, 6 p.m. at Saluda Center; bring a side dish to share. 

Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) is busy year-round with land  conservation, trails and projects: visit saludaclt.org or call 828-749-1560 to learn more.  For more information on hikes or volunteering for trail-clearing, contact Chuck Hearon at (828) 817-0364 or chearon1942@gmail.com

The Saluda Pop-Up Pantry is held Tuesday from 1-6 at Saluda Presbyterian Church, 54 Carolina Avenue (behind Saluda Library). Masks/safety precautions taken. To volunteer, call Saluda Church of the Transfiguration, 828-749-9740. You can mail tax-deductible donations to Saluda Pop-Up Pantry, P.O. Box 428, Saluda, NC 28773 or donate online at www.saludapantrycom   

 

Happy January Birthday to Brandy Bradley, Carolyn Ashburn, Scott Kinard, Donna Bond, Greer Eargle, Wyatt Alan Pace, Irma Anderson, Paul Aaybe, Phyllis Arrington, Kenneth Justus, Cheryl Harbin, Avery Lena Mintz, Connie Scicluna, Ann Dudley, Charles Conner, Kristin Mode, Susan Parke, Rodney Gibson, Kristen Mode, Jan Daugherty, and Frank McNutt. 

 

Feel free to contact me at bbardos@gmail.com, (828) 817-6765, P.O. Box 331, Saluda, NC 28773, Facebook, or visit bonniebardos.com