It starts and ends with New Orleans, not only our cruise but the history of the Mississippi River. New Orleans is a history buff’s paradise. French explorers and traders first arrived in the 1690’s. The city was founded in 1718 by the French, named La Nouvelle Orleans – The New Orleans. For a period, it was under Spanish Control, then back to the French then purchased by the United States in … [Read more...]
Toys of My Life
Lincoln Logs I would venture to say that every child of the 50’s and most in the 60’s had a set of Lincoln Logs, one of America’s most iconic toys. I was never much on Erector Sets, but I enjoyed stacking the little brown logs, end on end and building cabins and forts. It really helped if you had two sets or one of those giant boxes, allowing more elaborate designs. Lincoln Logs came into … [Read more...]
Remembering the Dime Stores
Today, we have Dollar General and Dollar Tree stores, and they are among the fastest growing of today’s retail establishments. Except, now they should be called “Dollar and Quarter Stores” after a fling with spiraling inflation. I remember the dime stores or “Five and Dime’s” as we called them. Stores like Woolworth’s, Ben Franklin, W.T. Grant, McCrorys were once staples on every … [Read more...]
The Tufted Titmouse
Who would ever name a bird “titmouse?” The poor little tufted titmouse has nothing in common with a mouse, or the other part of its name. The regal little bird with the crest should have been named the silver prince or something equally as distinguished. But its name is the tufted titmouse, and we always have them at our feeder. About 10 years … [Read more...]
Blueberry Stuff
I have printed this recipe several times, but it’s so good, who’s counting? My wife and a group of her early morning exercise friends meet periodically for breakfast. Sometimes they go to a local restaurant and sometimes they meet at someone’s home. A couple years back, they came over to our house and I volunteered to cook for them. One of the dishes I served was a … [Read more...]
Neat Stuff
Cuisinart 155 Food Slicer On a recent holiday occasion, we had a few friends drop by, I suppose we had 30 guests come and go. Along with a big bowl of jumbo shrimp and the usual spread of veggies, cheese, and fruits, we served an eye of round roast. Eye of round is one of the tastiest cuts of beef, and it’s also one of the most reasonably priced. But it can be tough and chewy and must be … [Read more...]
Old Charlottesville Businesses
Sloan’s Restaurant If the Gaslight Restaurant was Charlottesville’s Best, then Sloan’s Restaurant was the Friendliest. Everybody loved to go to Sloan’s. Sloan’s was the brainchild of Mac Sloan, a beloved Policeman in Charlottesville. When Mac turned in his badge, he decided to go in the restaurant business with his sons, Dale and David. Dale and Mac opened Tiny Macs while David and Mac … [Read more...]
Bluefin Tuna Have Arrived
The big fellas are back. Giants bluefins from 150 to 200 pounds are close to shore - at the Windmills area, Chesapeake Light and Triangle Wrecks. Sometimes they are as close as Caper Henry. Rockfish are now leaving the tributaries, heading out into the Bay where ocean fish from the north will join the schools. The Eastern side of the Bay is a hotspot, where anglers have success drifting or slow … [Read more...]
Old Businesses of Charlottesville
The Gaslight When I moved to Charlottesville in 1967, one restaurant had established itself as the best in town: The Gaslight, at 615 W. Main Street stood alone. The Gaslight was the brainchild of John Tuck, known to one and all as “Tuck”. He wore a beret and visited every table to make sure the guests were completely satisfied. I have always said that the best restaurants have hands on owners … [Read more...]
A Christmas Card Booklet
There is still plenty of time to order a set of “While Shepherds Watched” and send them as special Christmas Card Gifts. Last year, I wrote a short story called “While Shepherds Watched” and published a few booklets last year. It is a story about a young shepherd boy and his experience on Christmas Eve as he kept watch over his flocks by night. We sold all the booklets quickly at … [Read more...]
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