“It was June, and the world smelled of roses. The sunshine was like powdered gold over the grassy hillside.’”
~ Maud Hart Lovelace, Betsy-Tacy and Tib, 1941

Last week’s quote disappeared from the column, so here it is again, and hopefully will make it this time around. A world that smells of roses is too good to miss: out in the garden, roses profusely bloom with day lilies joining in the parade. A few years ago, I picked up some luscious shades of pink, lavender lilies from the hybrid day lily grower down past the Saluda Watershed, hauled them home and planted them. It must have taken me two hours to pick out just a few, there were so many varieties and colors to choose from: sort of like picking out paints! This one, that one! No, this one! Oh, that one!
Of course, the ubiquitous wild orange day lilies are in full swing: I pick armloads of them on walks with River. Sometimes I gather their buds, along with very small, young kudzu leaves and sauté them. Yes. You read that right: both are edible and actually quite good! A small pinch of butter, washed buds and leaves with a bit of moisture left, cover a bit until done. The buds taste much like asparagus; the kudzu looks like spinach. Be sure to get the very young tender leaves, not tough leathery ones—they’ll still be like leather even when cooked! Only goats want ‘em.  It just seems like sweet revenge to eat the green kudzu monster, before it takes over the world. Making use of what nature gives us, even the things we might not appreciate (kudzu) feels pretty good: organic veggies, wild ripe raspberries warm from sun, bright happy flowers, and all free for taking: who could ask for more?
Saluda Tailgate Market is open Friday from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the city parking lot off Main Street. Restaurants and many shops are open later on Friday evenings!
Saluda Welcome Table is every Tuesday, with dinner served from 5:30-7 p.m. in the fellowship hall of Saluda United Methodist Church. All welcome; donations accepted.
The fun and fabulous Art Trek Tryon open studio event happens the weekend of June 28-29th. On Friday June 27 from 5-8 p.m. a preview party kicks off the weekend at Upstairs Artspace, 49 South Trade Street, Tryon, N.C. beside the Tryon Theater. Participating artists all over Polk County and Landrum will have work displayed in the gallery. All weekend, studios are open to the public. Saluda has several participating artists—Mark Gardner, Richard Baker, Jim Carson,  Robin Kirby, and Bonnie Bardos. Please support local art, artists, and sponsoring businesses! In town, maps can be found at Heartwood Gallery and Purple Onion.
​Saluda Community Land Trust appreciates your volunteering or donations. ‘Walks in the Woods’ have begun, as has highway trash pick-up and Twin Lakes rental: information is listed on the SCLT website at saludaclt.org or call 828-749-1560.
The next Top of the Grade Concert will be at McCreery Park will be June 27.
Community potluck and bingo at Saluda Center, June 30, 6 p.m.; bring a favorite dish to share!
Summer really is here: The 51st Coon Dog Day is around the corner, it’ll be July 5.
Happy June Birthday to Nancy Barnett, Verne Dawson, Peggy Ellwood, Anna Jackson, Charlie Jackson, Amy Violet Ford, Terry Arrington, Julie Arrington, Susie Welsh, and Jeremy Edwards.
Thank you, dear readers for reading this column! I want you to feel like you’re sitting out in the front porch swing enjoying birds and flowers with me, peeking up at little Batman up in the porch eaves. He hangs upside down, nestled beside a small wasp nest: tiny ears cute as a button. As ever, the goal is to make you feel like you’re enjoying a front porch visit and small town life in a friendly little mountain town called Saluda. You can contact me at bbardos@gmail.com; or 749-1153, visit my website at bonniebardos.com for more writing and art, or find me on facebook.