Beautiful Wisteria Another beautiful plant seemingly growing wild along our roadsides these days is wisteria. Boasting lovely lavender blossoms, wisteria sprouts up wherever there is an opening. The plant is so hardy, in fact, some gardeners have a difficult time getting rid of it. Wisteria is actually a vine and must be pruned and kept under control or it crowds out … [Read more...]
It’s Not Nice to Fool Mother Nature
The last week of March had been so lovely that I decided to ignore the Farmer’s Almanac and get a head start on spring. I planted tomatoes and put a few squash plants in the ground. Since then, I have had to put bowls over my tomato plants on most nights to protect them from frost and my unprotected squash plants went belly up. It’s not nice to fool Mother Nature. Some say April 15 … [Read more...]
A Real Dogwood Festival
It was Easter Sunday, a pretty afternoon, but there were no children out in their yards hiding Easter eggs. In fact, Easter itself was in hiding. For the first time maybe ever, there were no Easter Services in churches. I was in the back yard; it was quiet and I was watching my birds when I saw them. They had been there all along, but I hadn’t paid attention. They were dogwood … [Read more...]
Fans, Fans and More Fans
By Nancy B While we are all coping with the Covid 19 Virus, let’s think of how we can save energy and dollars in the next few months of warm temperatures and happier times to come. Now is the time to consider the purchase of fans. It’s time to replace the fans that are making that annoying clicking sound or wobble. Fans work hard to move the air and keep us cool and … [Read more...]
Welcome, Red Drum!
Large red drum have arrived in Virginia waters on the shoals between Fisherman’s and Smith islands. The most popular angling technique is to anchor on top of the shoal and position your boat so the baits drift back to the deeper waters. Chumming helps draw the fish in. Dr Ken Neill picked up one on Saturday. Speckled trout action is picking up in local inlets and along the beach. The … [Read more...]
Taking A Sunday Drive
Last weekend, Nancy and I went on a little Sunday Drive. We hopped in the car, drove down to Eltzroth & Thompson for some plants, then headed across the mountain via I-64 to Greenville and a visit to Springdale Gardens where we picked up a couple bullfrog tadpoles and some water garden accessories. On the way home, we took the long route along Rt. 250. We saw redbuds in bloom, pink … [Read more...]
Eating Out – But Where?
My Eatin' Out column is getting a little stale. That’s because – other than a drive-thru window – there is no place to eat out. They’ve closed them all. I, for one, will be super excited when the ban is lifted and it makes me wonder – just where will I choose to eat out the first time they reopen? Maybe Carmello’s. Now, with Travinia’s closed, Carmello’s is our new favorite go-to Italian … [Read more...]
Weeds and Wildflowers
The Magnificent Redbud If you have been out and about recently, you’ve no doubt seen the magnificent redbuds, now in full bloom. Certainly no tree or bush in Virginia can exceed this beauty. But it’s not really clear if a redbud is a tree or a bush – it’s sort of a cross between the two. And where it got its name – who knows? It’s not red at all, it’s just … [Read more...]
Golf Courses Contribute to Conservation
Some claim that golf courses are a waste of green space, that they use too many chemicals and too much water. That land, they say, would be better off in conservation easements with nothing done to the land. Baloney! Conservation easements are simply a way for wealthy people to earn tax advantages from the state – you and me. Whereas no building or improvements take place, they are … [Read more...]
Baked Chicken Livers
Chicken livers is one of those dishes you either love or hate. There is no middle ground. Nobody ever says, “They’re okay.” It’s either: “I’d rather chase a flock of buzzards off a gut pile than eat chicken livers” or “Let’s have them again tonight!” Put me in the latter group. Funny, but as much as I enjoy chicken livers, we seldom have them. On a recent tour through … [Read more...]
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