About 15 years ago, we decided to break down and get a shed. Nancy was tired of seeing all my tools and lawn mower stacked on our tiny back deck and in our basement. We had worried that the wrong shed would make our yard look like a redneck trailer park, so we went shopping. We by-passed the shed company that does lots of local advertising because their prices seemed high. But just south of … [Read more...]
(Really) Tiny Tadpoles
They showed up in our lily pond about two weeks ago. Hundreds of microscopic tadpoles. We saw them last year, too. And we were clueless as to what exactly they were and how they may have arrived. Annually, Nancy and I either catch or buy a few bullfrog tadpoles, which lose their tails and evolve into frogs later that summer. But the bullfrog ‘poles are much larger than these tiny … [Read more...]
Even More About Creasy Greens
Great news on the creasy greens front. We have tiny sprouts in our creasy greens patch. To make a short story really long, let me update the one reader out there who may not be aware of my discovery of creasy greens. It all started when my wife Nancy gave me a pack of creasy green seeds, which her cousin had given her because of family memories of Mom-ma and Uncle William picking … [Read more...]
Saltwater News
In Virginia saltwater, cobia are dominating the action. Chumming has been super productive, says Stan Cobb with Greentop. Eels are what most use for bait, but live fish, such as croakers, are also excellent. The problem is that croakers have been hard to find. At least, the good-sized ones. Use plenty of chum, as to make the scent trail as strong as possible. Be prepared to tangle with sharks, … [Read more...]
Bluegill Time
We are now in the heart of bluegill season. Most of the fish are on the shore or close by, and they are hungry. If you have a fly rod and small popping bug, you can catch all you want. Maybe more than you want. One of the top bluegill lakes in Virginia is the Chickahominy Lake near Lanexa. It’s a relatively shallow lake, but it has ideal habitat for some of the prettiest bluegills and … [Read more...]
Baby Grapes
About ten years ago, when it became obvious that my Mom would not be able to stay in her house because of failing health, my siblings and I cleared the house to put it on the market. That’s a hard thing to do with nearly 50 years of memories. On my last trip over to Lewisburg WV, my son Jimmie mentioned that he would like to save some of the grape vine in the back yard. Jimmie and all of us … [Read more...]
Hilltop Market: Blue Ribbon Sandwiches
Hilltop Market used to be just a small convenience store. They sold lots of live bait to fishermen headed out to the Rivanna Reservoir. They sold some canned goods, drinks, snacks and some really good and fresh produce. Then they opened a small deli. Since then, I’d guess about 20 years ago, Hilltop Market has become one of the go-to lunch destinations for many in Charlottesville. You’ll … [Read more...]
Sprouting Seeds
I’d like to say that I am an excellent backyard gardener. I’d like to say that, but it wouldn’t be true. Sometimes the stuff I plant grows, and sometimes it doesn’t. One of the problems I’ve always had – because my soil is very claylike – is simply getting the seeds to sprout. The poor things find themselves under a big clod of clay and can’t make it through the soil. This year, … [Read more...]
Sunday Afternoons at Cross Keys
It’s Sunday. There’s still an afternoon left in the weekend, but what to do? Nancy and I have found through the years that an hour-long drive across the mountain to Mount Crawford near Weyer’s Cave ends up in a most pleasant afternoon experience at Cross Keys Vineyards. The scenic Shenandoah Valley destination offers delicious food, delightful wines and great entertainment. The June schedule … [Read more...]
Get Out of Sand Free
Remember Monopoly? Get Out of Jail Free? That was a nice card to have, even though sometimes it was better to stay in Jail for three rolls rather than to head down to the yellow and green properties stacked with hotels. But how about a Get Out of Sand Free card? In this case, it’s a golf club, not a card, and if you get in the sand, it’ll get you out. It’s a 55-degree utility wedge and it … [Read more...]
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