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The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.

~ Audrey Hepburn

 

June skips along with a wicker basket of blushing peaches just as May disappears with a whispered giggle, a brush of white cotton lace and blue hydrangea petals along summer’s path. Afternoon rains create waterfalls of green vine, misty veils rising from shadowed mountainsides. A delicate sassafras lifts from forest floor along the singing river. 

In the garden, a young black snake ripples away from her hidden spot as I weed near the rock wall, worried I might have ill intent toward her. “I’m sorry!” I say, apologizing for disturbing her, hoping she’ll stay close by for a visit, to lunch on mice and whatever varmint she’d like for dessert. She’s the first snake I’ve seen in the garden this year; I’m grateful she’s around. Just don’t eat my birds, I tell her, but it’s an all-you-can-eat special on rodents. Have at it, little friend! 

Inside, a coral-pink princess phone from the 70s followed me home from a thrift shop one day. There it sat on a shelf, unnoticed, patiently waiting. Spying a glimpse of coral-pink, I could just hear my name called before realizing exactly what the ‘find’ was. The heart lit up: “MINE!” 

I pounced, looking around to make sure no one else poached it first; smiling all the way home, the “find” completely obsolete, never to work again, yet a symbol of memories, good times, nostalgia indeed. The epiphany was sparkling-clear, the vintage phone is a symbolic portal through time, as if I could pick the receiver up, call those voices I’d give anything to hear once again. Anytime I want.   

 

• The Historic Saluda Committee (HSC) has the biennial Historic Saluda Tour of Homes featuring seven homes on June 8, 10-3. Tickets are available the day of the event at the Visitors’ Center; a painting by a well-remembered Saluda artist, Bill Ryan, will be raffled. (Later the same day, from 4-6 p.m., enjoy Saluda’s art stroll through shops and galleries.) 
• Saluda Tailgate Market is located near the tennis courts at Saluda School and runs each Friday from 4 to 6. 
• Saluda Community Table kicks off summer with meals featuring farm-fresh ingredients on June 11 and June 25, 5:30-7 p.m., at Saluda Center. The Ol’ Time Band will play. All are welcome. Donations are appreciated. 
• Saluda Library is featuring Tryon artist Mary Lou Diekman’s work from June 7-July 17 with a reception on June 13 from 2-4. 
• Top of the Grade Concert series starts June 14, 7 p.m., at the renovated amphitheater at McCreery Park with David Childers and the Serpents. 
• Saluda Community Land Trust’s next “Walks in the Woods” is June 16 to Vaughn Creek. This trail follows the creek featuring a small waterfall, a Native American marker tree, and a large culvert at the end of the trail.. Meet at Saluda Library’s parking lot at 2 p.m. to carpool. Visit saludaclt.org or call 828-749-1560 for information. 
• On June 19 at 10 a.m. at Saluda Center, Saluda Living in Place (SLIP) will present “Mental Health and The Aging Mind” with Dr. Kay Harkins, a mental health therapist. Dr. Harkins will talk about the connection between mental health issues and the aging process. 
• The June Veterans’ Breakfast at Saluda Center is canceled this month and resumes on July 3. 

Happy June Birthday to Nancy Barnett, Bubba Dawson, Peggy Ellwood, Anna Jackson, Charlie Jackson, Amy Violet Ford, Terry Arrington, Julie Arrington, Susie Welsh Hearn, Jeremy Edwards, Eleanor Morgan, Mary Lu Price, Sigi Hendrickson, Edna McKee, Lucinda Pittman, Susan Matthews, Lisa Duck, Kasey Watkins, Elena Robson, Karen McGee, Jane Mann, and Chambli Dawn Stuber. 

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