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The world… is indeed a strange and deeply mysterious place, forever changing and remaking itself anew. But this is not a novel condition, our world hasn’t only recently become bizarre and temporary; it has been so ever since its inception, and it will continue to be such until its end — mystifying and forever in a state of flux. ~ Nick Cave

 

March arrives amid unfurling ribbons of budding green, chilly mornings and promising kite-flying winds along with a few cherry blossoms perched on silvery branches. Pink snow of blossoms looks like the only snow so far this winter for many of us. 

These days, Dear Reader, I’m just Ole Tired & Lazy around here, running myself ragged heading early  to radiation ‘hot dates’ (not what I had in mind!), physical therapy and other appointments. If I have one ounce of energy left after those rounds, I stop by a grocery store to pick up a couple of things or complete errands before heading home to flop–sometimes for a nap or a sit-and-sog on the porch if  afternoon sun is warming it up by then. I keep the bird feeders full, although I tell those birds they’ll have to get a job to help pay for seed. They don’t believe a word of it! 

It’s a ritual: every afternoon, I make a cup of hot tea, grab a book and reading glasses, then head outside for that much-needed sunshine and bird-watching time, just to let go of the stress of the day and a lot of stripping in front of endless strangers in freezer-cold places. 

It does feel like a full-time job, this journey, this battle. Yet, I find much reason to smile at others and keep a singing bird in my heart each day. Spring’s coming, oh yes, and so is the dreaded Medicare Moment in April. If that doesn’t scare me silly, nothing else will! Happy March, my friends. 

• Saluda Winter Market is at Saluda Center, 64 Greenville Street, on 2nd and 4th Saturdays from 9-1 through April. Local vendors offer produce, honey, baked and canned goods, crafts and much more. 
• Mountain Page Theater is having a Broadway Variety Show fundraiser on March 9, 7 p.m. to raise funds for a new roof. Purchase tickets at www.mountainpage.theater or Looking Glass Realty; for info email ashleyonstage@gmail.com.
• Saluda Pop-Up Pantry is every Tuesday from 1-6 by appointment at Saluda Presbyterian Church, 54 Carolina Avenue (behind Saluda Library). To volunteer at the Pantry, call Saluda Church of the Transfiguration at 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 or through Amazon Smile. 
• SCLT news: “Walks in the Woods” has returned! The first one for 2024 will be on March 17 at   the Adawehi Stewardship Forest in Columbus to celebrate spring ephemerals and learn about the ecosystem of a wetland and streamside habitat. This walk will be over flat ground and won’t last much over an hour. Meet at Saluda Library’s parking lot at 2 p.m. to carpool. Visit saludaclt.org or call 828-749-1560 for information. 

Happy March Birthday to Genell Jespersen, Valerie Mintz, Sheldon Mintz, Curtis Pace, Anita Moore, Dorrie McKinley, Catherine Ross, Monica Pace, Ken Justus, Elizabeth Justus, Arlene Klippel, Rachel Bradley, Chris Bradley, Dawn Ward, Dori Ray, Martin Anderson, Lucy Holman, Craig Bass, Laura Bass, Patty Martin, Tangie Morgan, Melanie Keener, Tuula Veil, Erica Shanks and Paul Rhodes. Don’t forget to add your birthday to the list, it’s a long-time promise no ages will mentioned! 

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