Ordinary Days . . . Extraordinary Moments

Saluda Arts Festival

    Saturday was the second annual Saluda Arts Festival. We actually live several miles out of Saluda, NC, but we love our historic hometown.  It was a beautiful day, not too warm, not too chilly; and a deep blue sky with fluffy white clouds.

  There were over 50 artists and crafters who set up tents around town.

    We went to town after lunch and found a parking place at the Post Office.  We spent the next several hours walking around wandering through the arts and crafts tents and visiting our favorite local stores.  Saluda has some wonderful art, antique,and gift shops.

    Actually, I was the one who did most of the store shopping. My husband is not a shopper, but he enjoyed the spring air sitting on the town benches while I went into my favorite shops.

    I had been saving my spending money for this event and was delighted with the treasures I brought home.  Some of them will be given as gifts for birthdays or Christmas, and some were for me to add to my various and sundry collections.

    My purchases from the artists and crafters included:

    *A calendar with watercolor pictures by a local artists, a set of Saluda notecards, pink dogwood notecards, and a card with a quote from Alice in Wonderland, "There is no use trying," said Alice; "one can't believe impossible things."  "I dare say you haven't had much practice,' said the Queen.  "when I was your age, I always did it  for half an hour a day.  Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."  Lewis Carroll

    *A cute handmade purse in blues for $6.00. 

    *Jewelry   including earrings, bracelet and a cute silver cat pin.

    *A watercolor wash art gourd  -- this was actually bought for me by my husband because he knew I wanted  it.

    My purchases from the local shops included:

    *Two antique cake pans (one of many things I collect) which were a bargain at $3.95 and $3.25.                        

    *An antique basket with knobs for hanging for $5.00.

    *A navy blue antique hat   to add to my "hat wall" in guest bedroom and an antique blue hat box.   I did not need another hat box, but I could not resist the color and both hat and box were bargains.

    *From the garden shop, a tiny antique frog and a cobalt blue jelly jar with frog top, plus plants, including a pretty Columbine to add to the Columbine garden and a pink climbing hydrangea.

    *An antique cobalt blue bottle (another thing I collect), but this one was different from any I have ever seen.  Molded into the glass are the words:  "Hospital Size For Hospital Use Only."

    *A brass bird with nest candle holder similar to one I bought as a gift for a friend.

    *A Mary Anne Radmacher-Hershey print as a gift for my husband that says:  "In the cold you wrap me.  In my uncertainty you listen.  In all my joys you celebrate.  At every turn you meet me with competence and grace.  What a fine dance we have together."   

    The joy of walking around our historic town admiring art and supporting the local economy on a beautiful spring day was a fine dance indeed.  . . . an extraordinary, ordinary day.

Old Age . . .

    I have written about my elderly friend, Kathleen, before on this blog; and, mentioned her delightful sense of humor. 

    Today, Kathleen said in an off-hand way:  "Old age comes at an inconvenient time."  Everyone at the bridge table had a hearty laugh over her statement because it is so true.  And, there is nothing that can be done about it.  Just when we begin to have more time in our lives, we face the multiple challenges of aging.

    Kathleen has the right attitude. Name it and be philosophically humorous about it. That's the best we can do.

    I want to be more like Kathleen as I grow older . . . keeping a sense of humor about things that cannot be changed . . . keeping a positive outlook. At almost 58, I've already been called  an old lady recently (See, A Funny Thing Happened entry on this blog). 

     I want to be an old lady with a twinkle in my eye.

New Ballroom Dress and Squirrel Salad

   My husband and I played duplicate bridge in Hendersonville this afternoon
. . . one of our passions in retirement.  We took two cars because my husband is helping our ballroom dance instructors with a beginning class on in Hendersonville on Wednesday evenings.  In ballroom dancing, there are always more women than men!  Ballroom dancing is another of our passions in retirement.

      I took a protein bar for lunch, but never ate it. After bridge, I got my nails done and then went to Belks Department Store because they were having a sale and I hoped to find a dress for the Pink and Blue Baby Ball being held Saturday night in Asheville to raise money for the March of Dimes.

    I have a friend who "handed down" to me eight beautiful ballroom gowns, but none of them are baby blue or pink.   

    I really did not expect to find anything; and, there was NOTHING that would work in the Petite department.  But, I got lucky and found  a baby blue "silky" two-piece dress  in the regular women's sizes.  Regular sizes usually do not fit me, but the two-piece design did just fine.  It has a double layered skirt which will have to be hemmed (nothing new); but, I think I can get that done in time.  The top is also in two layers with a flowing overblouse that has a blue and white floral design of shades of blue and white on the front accented with tiny pearls and crystal beads (not visible in the picture).   Ties are attached to covered buttons so that the overblouse ties on each side at the waist. 

    Here's the best part . . .  it was on "Red-Dot" clearance for $29.95, and I had a 20% off coupon to boot. And, even better, it is washable!

    It was past dinnertime by the time I left the Hendersonville Mall.  I was hungry and thought all the way back to Saluda about what I could get to eat quickly.  We are fortunate to have several wonderful restaurants in our tiny little town. I decided to stop by the Saluda Grade Cafe and get one of my favorite salads, "Squirrel Salad."  It is so large that usually my husband and I split one.  It has fresh greens, goat cheese, orange slices, avocado, dried cranberries, and walnuts and a tasty balsamic vinaigrette dressing.  I have to order it without the walnuts since I am allergic to them.  I was  so hungry that I thought I could eat it all, but I was wrong.  But, I enjoyed every mouthful I could eat.

    Another ordinary day . . . graced by finding the perfect dress at a bargain price and a simple delicious dinner. 

   

   

The Snail's Pace

   When my husband and I both worked full time as a parish priests, we knew it was important to take retreat time regularly  The world we live in is busy and hectic, plus things like noise pollution which has become a serious problem.  There is a value in quiet time spent away from the regular routines of life that cannot be measured.

    About a year ago, we were invited to take on the volunteer position of Chaplain(s) to the Snail's Pace Retreat Center here in Saluda. Because of our conviction of the importance of retreat time for individuals and our own past time spent at the Snail's Pace, we were excited to take on this role.  Up until we became the volunteer chaplains, only two ministers had preceded us in that role.

    As Chaplains we come in on weekends when there are groups or enough individuals  who want a Saturday evening worship service.  The staff of the Snail's Pace are trained lay ministers and Spiritual Directors.  We always look forward to our times at the Snail; and, when possible, we always stay for dinner . . . always a  feast.

    If you have never been on a retreat or have not taken time away recently, I encourage you to do just that.  There are retreat houses and centers near almost everyone.

    The Snail's Pace celebrated 35 years of ministry last year.  The ministry began in "the old house,"  and demand was so great that a new larger house was built in the early 80's.    Both houses are used.

    Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge, The Snail's Pace offers a tranquil retreat from your busy daily life. The Snail's Pace is a nonprofit ministry of hospitality offering: renewal, restoration, warm  fellowship, spiritual guidance, quiet days for groups, personal guided retreats, personal silent retreats. Please mail us at The Snail's Pace, PO Box 593, Saluda, NC 28773. E-mail: Snail@tds.net or Phone: (828) 749-3851

    For more information, check out The Snail's Pace:

Snail's Pace Mission:                                           

• To provide a loving, beautiful retreat in which to receive people who need the healing presence of Jesus Christ in a peaceful environment;


• To be a safe haven of rest, community and refreshment where the scriptures are shared, the gospel is lived; people are loved and accepted and offered spiritual  guidance;


• To use this home for ecumenical retreats and seminars in the name of Jesus Christ;


• To be available to those with spiritual need regardless of financial circumstances.