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falling leaves

hide the path

so quietly…

~ John Bailey, “Autumn Haiku” 

 

After a couple of weeks away in southern France, I’ve returned with tales to tell of food, wine, plane trees and two-lane country roads, charming towns, missed trains, planes, misplaced passport/bankcard, and a wild motorcycle ride through Paris. I’ve also returned with a “you-could-NOT-make-ANY-of-this up” book in my head about the Provence/travel adventures; along with a welcome home by mountains brushed with jeweled fall colors, summer-happy houseplants to haul back inside (where DO I put them all?!), a car that wouldn’t start, and life 101. 

 

Ah, indeed life is that way, a mix of ups and downs, and all the good stuff inside that crusty French baguette. 

 

Saluda Tailgate Market is every Friday through October at the west city parking lot located off Main Street, 4:30-6 p.m. Free cider this Friday! The Winter Market starts in November at Saluda Center. 

 

‘A Night at the Museum’ with live historic vignettes is presented by Saluda Historic Depot and Museum (sponsored by Polk County Community Foundation) on October 21 at 6:30 p.m. The event is free, but tickets are necessary. Contact Nita High at 828-747-8692 or email nitahigh@rsnet.org 

 

Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) keeps busy with land conservation, trails, projects and more: visit saludaclt.org or call 828-749-1560 for information. Support SCLT with donations, volunteering, and Amazon Smile. Contact “Trail Boss” Chuck Hearon at chearon1942@gmail.com about hike info, leading a hike, or helping clear trails. The next Walk in the Woods is November 6 to Holbert Cove Cabins, with a tour of a 1920s restored log cabin and grounds. Meet at Saluda Library’s parking lot to carpool at 2 p.m. 

 

Join SLIP (Saluda Living in Place) at Saluda Fire Department on October 27, 10 a.m. for a talk about Brevard’s Blue Zones Project given by Lex Green, CEO of Pisgah Health Foundation. Blue Zones research showed five regions of the world where people lived longer, happier, and healthier lives. More research and study have resulted in the Blue Zones project, a community-wide, evidence-based approach to improve health and well-being. You can contact SLIP at (828) 749-0049 or visit www.slipnc.org  

 

Potluck/bingo night at Saluda Center (64 Greenville Street) is October 31, 6 p.m. 

Saluda Pop-Up Pantry is Tuesday from 1-6 p.m. at Saluda Presbyterian Church, located at 54 Carolina Avenue (behind Saluda Library). To volunteer at the Pantry, call Saluda Church of the Transfiguration, at 828-749-9740. The Pantry could use a few strong folks to help with loading and other tasks—get a workout and do good at the same time! The Pantry has doubled the clients it helps this year and needs your financial support: mail tax-deductible donations to Saluda Pop-Up Pantry, P.O. Box 428, Saluda, NC 28773 or donate online at www.saludapantrycom; or through Amazon Smile.

 

Happy October Birthday to Cissy Thompson, Riley Thompson, Patricia Case, Gary Corn, Aaron Bradley, Amanda Anderson, Lisa Orr, Marilyn Prudhomme, Bubba Dawson, Kirby Jackson, Mary Ann Asbill, Sheila Billeter, Carol Thompson, Dean Bradley, Susan Wheeler, Brenda Craig, Becky Broadfoot, John Morgan, Bob Whitaker, Bonnie Williamson, Heather Case, Mary Scurry, and Jeanie Bennett. Add your birthday to the list! 

 

Garden Tips: it’s that time of year when leaves fall from trees: instead of burning or bagging them, pile them in a leaf bin (chicken wire works well) and let leaves slowly decompose to black organic ‘gold’ for the garden. Don’t forget to keep fresh water out on cold days for birds. 

 

October’s simple joys: warm molasses cookies….greeting friends along the streets of town…praying mantises on crisp scarlet fall leaves….frost-kissed roses and morning glories…silver lake water rippling under soft gray evening sky…drifting wood smoke from chimneys… goldfinches…pumpkins at roadside stands…fresh hot coffee steaming and an end to heavy-duty sweating-mowing… 

 

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