In this corner, we have the undisputed leader in sales of pancake mixes - the one and only Aunt Jemima Original Pancake Mix, a 32-ounce box of pancake goodness. In the other corner, we have the contender - a box of Bisquick Mix. So, who’s the baddest pancake mix on the planet? On Sunday mornings, Nancy and I often splurge on breakfast. We’ll have bacon or sausage, cut up some … [Read more...]
Eating Out at Cook Out
When Cook Out first opened in Charlottesville about five years ago, the lines at the To Go windows were longer than those at John Paul Jones Arena for a Rolling Stones Concert. The lines have since subsided but Cook Out remains one of the most popular fast food options in Virginia. Our close friends and in-laws, Charlotte and Dick Forester from Richmond, are big time fans of Cook Out. … [Read more...]
Fishing Report
Saltwater – Stan Cobb at Greentop says that fishing for Spanish mackerel continues to be both popular and productive for Virginia saltwater anglers. Trolling spoons behind in-line sinkers and planer boards is the most common method. However, when schools are close, anglers can cast to them with various presentations. Gotcha plugs, Hopkins-type spoons, jerk-baits, and swimbaits are all good, but … [Read more...]
Catching Smallmouth with Angler’s Lane
Angler’s Lane in Forest (Lynchburg) says that the smallmouth fishing is finally starting to take shape on the Staunton and the James. The topwater bite in early morning and late afternoon is getting good, and the streamer bite is fantastic! The guides at Angler’s Lane are specialists when it comes to putting their clients on big smallies. Here’s what they say about the waters they … [Read more...]
Special Places
As Boomers look back on a life full of memories, certain places – special places – stick out. For me, one of those special places was the beach – Atlantic Beach, NC, not far from Camp Lejeune. My Aunt Anne and Uncle Sidney had a small cottage in Morehead City, just across Bogue Sound from Atlantic Beach. Every June, after school let out, we packed the family Pontiac sedan with suitcases and … [Read more...]
Chock full o’Nuts
Nancy and I bounce around from coffee to coffee. We like many brands including Folgers, Dunkin’ Donuts, and several store brands, but we have recently found ourselves drinking Chock full o'Nuts on a daily basis. Nancy goes to a morning gym class and has enjoyed the coffee served there. When she asked about it, they said it was Chock full o'Nuts. Our daughter Laura heard that Mimi enjoyed this … [Read more...]
My Clockwork Catbirds
Like clockwork, they come every March. My one pair of resident catbirds. They’ve been regular visitors for the past 7 or 8 years. I have read that many birds use the exact same nesting site from year to year, even different generations. I’m confident that this is true of my catbirds. Catbirds, though not colorful, are beautiful, graceful birds and they are almost as friendly as my bluebirds. I … [Read more...]
Black-eyed Susans
Lots of those pretty flowers and weeds we see alongside our roads and highways are “come-heres”, native to other countries – Europe, Asia, Africa and the like, but the friendly little Black-eyed Susans are as American as apple pie. They are true natives of North America and we have had a bumper crop of the yellow beauties this summer. There are a number of different type of the Rudbeckvia … [Read more...]
The Bird Game
Nancy and I are playing the “Bird Game.” Let me explain. During our marriage we have had cats, English Setters, beagles, mutts, rabbits, gerbils, fresh and saltwater aquarium fish, turtles, ferrets and frogs. A few years ago, we got our first birds. A friend of Nancy’s told her told about two love birds that had lost their original owner and were now confined to a basement in a room without … [Read more...]
Tomato Hornworms: A Gardener’s Worst Nightmare
Pity the backyard gardener. If the deer don’t get you, the rabbits will. And if they leave you alone, the squirrels bite and dig up everything. Then there is too much or too little rain or stink bugs or Japanese beetles. In Chuck Strauss’s case, it’s a tomato hornworm. Chuck said that one day, the leaves were completely gone from two of his tomato plants. He thought at first it was deer, … [Read more...]
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