“Everything is connected. The wing of the corn beetle affects the direction of the wind, the way the sand drifts, the way the light reflects into the eye of man beholding his reality. All is part of totality, and in this totality man finds his hozro, his way of walking in harmony, with beauty all around him.”

 ~ Tony Hillerman, “The Ghostway,” 1984

If you’re over 40, you probably remember those sturdy Radio metal plain-Jane garden carts. Nearly every yard had one along with the family station wagon, metal swing set and “Kiss The Cook” grill apron. Invincible, painted red, aqua or green, a metal push-handle and decent-sized tires wove it into a tapestry of past American dreams. You could push Rover, kids or dirt, and that cart would keep on ticking. Nowadays, garden carts and wagons are plastic for the most part, the metal ones having gone the way of dinosaurs, American-made cotton sheets, and blue vinyl Elvis records.

Manufacturers promise, promise, promise how wonderful plastic carts are. But those new-fangled ones don’t hold a candle to the old metal Radio cart. I hunted for the Holy Grail of garden carts for years after metal carts disappeared. You gardeners will feel my pain and understand the quest. Ames made a good one, with big wheels that could haul rocks, bricks, mulch. My latest cart is a blue hulk that promised much in calling itself a smart cart, cost way too much, and is unwieldy.

So, I have loved none of the wannabes like the old reliable Radio cart of yesteryear, captured in fond memory. There happens to be such a creature still in existence, currently listed as vintage, mid-century, on eBay. Rascals are demanding a starting bid of — get this, dear reader — $399, including the added patina of decades of rust. I believe I’ll have to let some lottery winner grab it, but if you have one in the back shed stashed away, call me. Especially if it’s under $399. Our vanishing Americana has gone up in price.

Saluda Welcome Table is every Tuesday. Dinner is served from 5:30 -7 p.m. in the fellowship hall of Saluda United Methodist Church. All are welcome; donations accepted.

Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) benefits from your donations or time as a volunteer for their many community projects. “Walks in the Woods” are on the first and third Sundays each month. Contact SCLT at 828-749-1560 or visit www.saludasclt.org.

Donations to help support Saluda Historic Depot can be sent to P.O. Box 990, Saluda, NC 28773 or on the HistoricSaluda.org website. Saluda Train Tales are held on the third Friday each month April through October. The next one is May 20 at 6:30. The Depot is open Thursday through Sunday, noon – 4 p.m.

Saluda Art Legends – Past & Present is the new show at the depot. Seventeen Saluda artists will be represented in an exhibit with an opening reception May 7, 6:30- 8:30 p.m. Fifty percent of proceeds from sales go toward the purchase of the depot and creation of a heritage and train museum.

Participating artists are: Joe Adams, Bonnie Bardos, Jim Carson, Judith Cheney, Mark Gardener, Marguerite Hankins, Charles Hearon, Bill Jameson, Anne Jameson, Sylvia Jones, Paul Koenen, Dale McEntire, Ray Pague, Beverly Pickard, Bill Ryan, Bunny Steffens, and Johnny Waddill.

In other art news: “Songs of the Earth,” featuring paintings by Bonnie Bardos at Tryon Depot, 22 Depot Street, continues until May 16. The Saluda Arts Festival is May 21 with art, music, food and fun all day in Saluda. Volunteers are needed—shifts are only two hours. If interested, contact Tangie Morgan at ctangie@rsnet.org or 828-777-9158.

Saluda Tailgate Market is now open on Fridays from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the city parking lot off Main Street. There is a new sidewalk leading to the market, and parking at the church and library lots. Offerings include local honey, produce, delicious baked goodies, plants, and much more!

The Historic Saluda Committee meets May 13, 2 p.m. at Saluda Library.

A Top of the Grade Concert will be held May 13 from 7-9 p.m. and will feature Dogwhistle. Top of the Grade Concerts are held at McCreery Park.

Saluda Garden Club meets Monday, May 16 at 10 a.m. at Saluda Library.

Happy May birthday to Amy Copeland, Corinne Gerwe, Chris Anderson, Mark Jackson, Cary Pace, Lisa Hipp, Trevor Young, Jemme Latell, Paul Marion, Jesse Thomas, Margaret Sease, Elizabeth Baldwin, Chad Baldwin, Lynn Cass and Thelma Jones.

Thank you dear readers, for reading this column. It’s always a pleasure hearing from you, getting your hugs, calls, emails, and notes. It’s always my goal to make you feel like you’re having a front porch visit, enjoying a cool glass of tea, birds, flowers and life in a small town called Saluda. You can contact me at bbardos@gmail.com or 749-1153, visit my website at bonniebardosart.com for more writing and art, or find me on Facebook.