Looking back at some great toys, one that stands out was Rock ’Em Sock ’Em Robots. They were introduced after my childhood, so I didn’t get to play with them as a kid. But I sure did as an adult. My kids got sets for Christmas and when they did, I was down on the floor, duking it out with Angelin and Jimmie. It was a 2-person game, and the object was to “knock his block off.” The toy … [Read more...]
Reid’s Calls it Quits
Reid’s made a serious effort at saving their business as creditors closed in, and they really succeeded by mostly refilling the shelves against great odds. But ultimately, the value of their real estate on Preston Avenue was too great to ignore, and they sold their land to Twice as Nice, a used clothing boutique. I think Reid’s had the best chicken and the best pork in town. Don’t know their … [Read more...]
Spiny Dogfish
They are not very glamorous fish, in fact most anglers consider a Spiny Dogfish to be a “trash’ fish. But if you’re heading to the coast of Virginia or the Outer Banks between now and March 1, they are likely to be one of the few fish you can catch from a pier or the surf. They have many names - dogfish, dog sharks, or spiny dogfish and they love cold water. They are carnivorous and … [Read more...]
Old Businesses of Charlottesville
The Tavern It was a dump, but it was our dump. It was widely known as the place where students, tourists and towns people would meet. It was fondly known as The Tavern. The Tavern, sometimes called Sarge’s though no one knows why, opened in1954. It was a place for cheap beer and hearty breakfasts known to cure even the most severe hangover. It was home to some of the fastest cockroaches in … [Read more...]
Suet Time
My suet feeders have been getting more and more attention since the weather got cold. They were quite popular this week with rain on the ground and nothing much to eat except for my feeders and the seeds I scattered. I saw nuthatches, downy woodpeckers, red bellied woodpeckers, sparrows, chickadees, titmice, and wrens squeezing in and out of the suet cages. Suet is an inexpensive way to feed … [Read more...]
Heavenly Cod
Fish is good and it’s good for you. My Daddy used to say that fish was “brain food” and if you ate it, you got smarter. But smarter or not, I have always loved eating fish. Unfortunately, I like eating fried fish. When we go to the beach it’s always a “Fried Seafood Platter”, maybe good for the brain, but not so much for the arteries. I had seen a recipe recently for Broiled Heavenly Halibut, … [Read more...]
Gas Station Food
Gas station food has come a long way. I remember on our travels to and from North Carolina when I was a kid, if you stopped at a Gulf Station to get gas (and hopefully a rest room break) if there was any food at all to be had, it was a pack of peanuts on the counter and a Coke from the machine. Slowly but surely gas stations recognized an unfilled market and began offering chips and nabs, maybe a … [Read more...]
Hobe’s Country Ham: Simply the Best
I frequently buy country ham, not whole hams, but biscuit slices and center-cut packs. Usually, the ham is good, but sometimes it can be tough and lack flavor. There is one brand name of ham, however, that is always good. It is Hobe’s Ham. Simply the best. I first ran across Hobe’s hams. at a Food Lion in Mooresville, NC. It was so good, I made a mental note of the name, and whenever I … [Read more...]
The First Seed Catalogue
It came in the mail on the last day of 2024. The first seed catalogue of the year. When the days grow short and the bitter wind nips at your face and the grass turns brown and everything seems dead, a seed catalogue will brighten up your day. It tells you that spring is coming, bringing new life and pleasant weather. I am especially eager for the hope of a seed catalogue because my kids gave me … [Read more...]
Winding Down
The saltwater scene is winding down in Virginia waters though boats just offshore are still finding a few king-sized bluefins. Tog fishing is good for cold weather enthusiast near most any bay structure and there are lots of stripers, but it’s catch and release. On the OBX, it’s dogfish (spiny sharks) and a handful of sea mullet from the piers and surf. Specks and pups continue to bite back in … [Read more...]
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