It’s a day I await – a celebration, in fact. The “First “Mater Sandwich of the Year” day. I rank it right up there with New Year’s Day and the Fourth of July. The actual day varies from year to year - depending on when that first plump tomato is picked from the vine. We have had cherry tomatoes and some smaller slicer tomatoes for a couple weeks, but on Monday, July 7th, one of my Better Boy … [Read more...]
Neat Stuff: Patio Fans
Nancy and I are blessed with a sprawling, tree-shaded patio in our backyard. Since the grass wouldn’t grow among all the tree roots, we poured concrete and created a nice outdoor room, which we thoroughly enjoy. But! It’s summer with 90-degree-plus weather, which makes sitting outside – even in the shade – not so enjoyable. Nancy, however, had the good sense to put an outdoor fan on a … [Read more...]
The Moocher and the Mother
I have two catbirds that visit me when I go out on the patio with a bowl of wiggly meal worms. One is the Moocher and the other is the Mother. Though both birds are identical in appearance, I can easily tell the mother bird. When I toss a few meal worms her way, she puts each one carefully in her beak (her best score is 10 mealworms in one mouthful) then flies around the side of the house and … [Read more...]
Now That’s a Flounder!
As the summer heart intensifies, so does the saltwater fishing in Virginia. Flounder fishing is starting to take off with more fish and bigger fish taking baits. The increased catches are coming from along bridges, inshore wrecks, and artificial reefs throughout the lower bay and along the coast. Flounder are ambush predators, favoring hard structures, drop-offs, and creek entrances—ideal spots … [Read more...]
A Roundabout from Hell
Remember the scene where Chevy Chase gets stuck in a roundabout in the movie European Vacation? He’s in there for hours and can’t get out. I know how he feels. I had a Come to Jesus experience with roundabouts last week. Someone Highway Engineer in the North Carolina Department of Transportation has come up with the idea that roundabouts are more efficient than stop signs and stop lights and … [Read more...]
The Best Hot Dogs?
Here’s a serious question. Where do you get the best hot dogs? At a ball game or on a golf course? Many would simply say at a restaurant or a hot dog stand, and they are all good. But the best dogs are the ones eaten outside, in a place you would not normally find a hot dog. While a chili dog with a cold beer is mighty good at a minor league ballpark, I believe the dogs that really hit the spot … [Read more...]
A Mountain of Cherry Tomatoes
I bought 4 tomato plants this spring. One was a cherry tomato plant because I enjoy them in salads. Nancy, however, bought three plants for her above-ground garden, and she mistakenly picked out two cherry tomato plants. They are now beginning to produce, and we soon be overwhelmed with the little red and gold fruits (or maybe vegetables. It depends on who you ask). I say cherry tomatoes, but … [Read more...]
Fluffy Scrambled Eggs
When you scramble eggs for breakfast, are they fluffy? I never thought much about it until I saw a recent article, but no, my scrambled eggs were not fluffy. Good, but not fluffy. I followed the article’s suggestions and now I know how to make a nice batch of fluffy, scrambled eggs. The secret is cottage cheese. If you are cooking 4 scrambled eggs for two people, simply add 1/3 C of … [Read more...]
Oh No, Not Another Nest
My backyard bluebirds had nested twice. I know that at least 2 chicks survived the first ordeal and one bird made it after the second nest. They had replaced themselves, plus one. That’s good. Let it go. But I heard that distinctive chirping from the male, meaning, “Hey babe, let’s get it on again.” And they did. The hen is now warming up 3 or 4 more eggs, though they chose a different house … [Read more...]
The Lovely Amaryllis
Our friend, Hal Hurka, came over not long ago and helped us get rid of some Lenten Roses – they will take over everything. He dug a bunch of them up, and though he didn’t have to, he gave us an amaryllis in return. It grew, Nancy transplanted it and it now has one of the most beautiful blooms you’ll ever see on any flower, anywhere. I didn’t know much about the amaryllis flower, but I always … [Read more...]
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