Deep at the bottom of the blue sky,

Like small stones in the sea,

Submerged until night falls,

We can’t see the stars in the afternoon,

We can’t see them, but they’re there,

We can’t see them, but they’re there.

Dandelions, petals dead and scattered,

Silent in a dried up river bed,

Hidden until spring arrives,

We can’t see their strong roots.

We can’t see them, and yet they’re there,

We can’t see them, but they’re there.

~ Misuzu Kaneko, “Stars And Dandelions”

Outside on a silvery-chill afternoon, lacy piles of snow melt into rivulets, dripping off the roof in a steady tattoo. River Dog and Pikachu Cat find the warmest spots they can; River curls close beside the living room gas stove. I don’t blame him; usually I’m huddled there, toasting either rear or front, just like a rotisserie.

You’d think it’d be a peaceful day around here, but the noise nearby is deafening. Chain saws, trucks, newly installed security alarms shred the quiet for hours. I tell River that it’s a shame when people feel a need to cut healthy trees to improve their views or expand parking lots. Around Saluda, the only burglar alarm I’ve ever needed for 23+ years has been a Shar-Pei with a deep “I mean business” bark. Things change. New folks bring moving trucks and suitcases full of it to our little town. Some is good, some is not so good. That’s life.

Now I have to worry about ear-splitting alarms going off at all hours for no reason, and also being surveilled by my microwave oven according to the daily news. The president’s senior adviser says that microwave ovens are suspect, along with other devices. James Bond, where are you? I can’t remember Bond ever stooping to use ordinary kitchen appliances for spying. You gotta admit, he showed some creativity on his devices. A microwave? The intel would be dish-banging/water running/pots rattling/plates clattering, “DINNER’S READY” shouts, and sounds of crunching near River’s dinner bowl.

There are times when you just want to bang your noggin on the keyboard in frustration as you’re trying to concentrate on writing a newspaper column. But chainsaws, blaring alarms and rumbling trucks make it impossible to have a sane moment. Maybe a trip to the kitchen for a cuppa mint tea to soothe the ruffled spirit?

The suspect microwave is sitting there all innocent—maybe I shouldn’t make mint tea after all, wondering what stories it’s built up to tell on me. The thing is 15 years old, so it’s got major dirt to dish out by now. Or maybe it’ll tell about how I programmed it to cook ‘soft vegetables.’ Round and round it went, on and on. It sure took a long, long time to cook those veggies. Especially since I’d forgotten to put them in …

Watch the evening news. I might be the headliner: “Woman cracks; throws neighbor’s burglar alarm on “HIGH” in suspicious microwave!” James Bond, where are you?

Learn more about Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) by visiting saludaclt.org or calling 828-749-1560. The popular “Walks in the Woods” return on April 2. Mark your calendar for SCLT’s annual meeting on April 26, 6 p.m. at Saluda Center. Celebrate SCLT’s ten years of keeping Saluda green and protected!

There’s still time to order an engraved brick/paver for Pace Park in the alley by M.A. Pace Store. Drop off applications and payment to City Hall or mail to City of Saluda, 6 Main Street, Saluda, NC28773. Proceeds will go toward building public restrooms. For information, contact Catherine Ross at 828-749-3534 or carnc@charter.net.

At Saluda Historic Depot, Saluda Train Tales return March 17 with Bob Loehne. Visit saludahistoricdepot.com for more information.

Saluda Garden Club meets March 20, 10 a.m. at Saluda Library.

Ward’s Grill hosts a free breakfast for all veterans every third Thursday of the month.

Community potluck/bingo at Saluda Center is March 27, 6 p.m. Bring a dish to share!

An art reception for Saluda School students will be at Saluda Center, March 30, 4-6 p.m.

Historic Saluda committee will have a tour of homes on Shand Hill, plus other historical buildings; save the date for June 3! Visit historicsaluda.org for more information.

Happy March Birthday to: Faye Chandler, Genell Jespersen, Charlene Pace, Valerie Mintz, Sheldon Mintz, Curtis Pace, Anita Odgen Moore, Charles Weinhagen, Kevin Kerr, Dorrie McKinley, Catherine Ross, Jane Fox, Beverly Pickard, Monica Pace, Ken Justus, Elizabeth Justus, Arlene Klippel, Rachel Bradley, Chris Bradley, Martha Stoney Anderson, Dawn Ward, Peggy Wolf, Dori Ray, Martin Anderson, Lucy Holman, Craig Bass, Laura Bass, and Patty Martin.

Thank you dear readers, for reading this column. I love hearing from you! Contact me at bbardos@gmail.com, or 749-1153, visit bonniebardosart.com for more writing and art, or find me on Facebook.