The fishing reports are going to be both sparse and redundant in the next month or two. There will be some catch and release striper fishing in the bay and reports of speckled trout caught at the Hot Ditch in the Elizabeth River. Tautogs will bite for those lucky enough to find bait and crazy enough to go fishing in a deep freezer. One the OBX, boats heading offshore will find huge bluefin … [Read more...]
Enjoying A Florida Orange
The holiday season always arouses old memories and one that was brought to my mind recently was of Florida oranges. A few days ago, I bought a couple of navel oranges from Food Lion. They were fat and colorful and appeared orchard fresh. And they were, with quite a fragrance – like the Florida oranges of my memory. Mama Ida always sent our family a box of fresh citrus fruits from Florida in … [Read more...]
Pocket Knives
I cannot imagine being without a pocket knife. I have had one in my front pocket since I was six. Back then, we didn’t think of pocket knives as weapons. We treasured them as friends, able to accomplish a multitude of tasks. Some of my early memories go back to those first knives. I remember sitting in Billy Richmond’s front yard under two towering oak trees that delivered acorns the size of … [Read more...]
Tissue Boxes from Hell
Tissues were once user friendly. They came in long boxes, Kleenex made most of them and they were easy to use and access. Open the top of the box, pull out a single tissue and you were in business. Then Satan got involved. He convinced the tissue people to squeeze 80 or so tissues into a small square box and pack them in with such force that it would be impossible to simply pull out a single … [Read more...]
Praline Grahams
This is the time of year to make great cookies, candies and pies, and for at least a week or two, forget about calories and bathroom scales. Besides, and as everyone knows, fattening foods during the holidays are exempt from weight gain. One of my favorite holiday, luxury foods is Praline Grahams, irresistibly rich and decadent and – best of all – they’re easy to make. Pralines – of course – … [Read more...]
Allen & Roth Firepits
One of the great things about cold weather is having a fire to snuggle up to, whether it’s a family room fireplace or a blazing firepit on the patio. I really enjoy firepits because – unlike an inside fireplace - I can light up a great cigar, sip a little Buffalo Trace, listen to some cello music and celebrate the close of another day while enjoying the warmth of a crackling fire. Last year, my … [Read more...]
Southern Goodbyes
Perhaps you will be spending time with southern relatives over the holidays, but be warned. Southerners never just stand up, say goodbye and leave. There is a process, a 9-step process, and it goes exactly like this. 1. “About to leave” warning 2. “We’ve got to get going,” statement 3. Hugs 4. Walking to the driveway 5. One more conversation in the driveway 6. More hugs 7. … [Read more...]
50 Degrees and Counting
With water temperatures at the Chesapeake Light Tower hovering around 50 degrees, the stage is set for the bluefin tuna season, which reopens January 1. As colder water pushes bait offshore, anglers are closely watching temperature breaks and deep-water structure east of the Virginia Capes and the arrival of giant bluefin. For recreational anglers in the HMS Angling category and charter vessels … [Read more...]
Do Not Disturb
“I called you on your cell phone and it went right into voice mail,” Nancy scolded. Voice mail? Yes, I remember voice mail. It’s a little white box on the bottom of your phone where people leave you messages when you don’t answer. I never pay it much mind because I don’t use my phone often and people don’t call me because I usually don’t answer. I confess. I am not an I-Phone kind of … [Read more...]
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