Our last port of call was Cozumel, a largely undeveloped Mexican Island in the Caribbean. Millions of tourists flock here to breathe in the tropical air, bask on pristine beaches, and to explore the underwater beauty of hundreds of miles of coral reefs. Snorkeling is not my thing. I tried it once and the goggles betrayed me and allowed sea water to burn my eyes while the snorkeling tube kept … [Read more...]
Catching Worms
Boomers had numerous ways to entertain themselves and none involved cell phones or video games. We made the most of whatever was available. If there was a barn around, with hay, that was good for at least a week’s entertainment – hide and seek, springing from one loft to the next, using the stacked bales as a make-believe fortress and numerous other amusements. We rode bikes - everywhere. We … [Read more...]
Seed Time
We can’t plant yet, but we backyard gardeners can always dream. That means seed catalogues and hopes for an early spring. Every year I buy way too many seeds. I have a fifty-acre garden appetite on a 12 x 40-foot budget. This year will be different. I will buy fewer seeds to accommodate my mini-garden and I’m off to a good start. Instead of buying 10 pounds of onion sets, I bought one bag, … [Read more...]
Signs of Our Times
Exciting Residential Lighting for 2024
By Nancy B Wow! So many exciting new fixtures seen at Market this year. Lots of mixed metals, with gold and black being the most popular. New materials like faux rock crystal, Capiz shells, fluted glass and acrylics are being seen in lighting fixtures and fans. We see the most changes with ceiling fans. What we used to call Fandeliers (fans with small chandeliers), are now called … [Read more...]
My Red-Tailed Squirrel
I’m building a wall in my backyard to keep the illegals away. Not illegal people. Illegal squirrels. I have a red-tailed squirrel in my back yard and he’s creating havoc, teaching my resident all-gray squirrels some bad habits. There is actually a species of Red-Tailed Squirrels native to Central and South America. Perhaps the cartels have smuggled this squirrel into my yard. Probably cost … [Read more...]
Praline Crack Graham Crackers
I confess. I am a crack addict. Praline Crack Grahams, that is. These sinful treats show no mercy. One bite and you are overwhelmed with desire for more. No matter how hard you resist, you will eat another and another and another until all the Pralines are gone or someone straps your arms to your sides with duct tape. Some cooks make their “Crack” with saltines as a base. I prefer … [Read more...]
Johnsen’s De-Icer
Mostly, we’ve avoided a brutal winter, but there have been a few frosty mornings with ice clinging to the windshield at 8:30 am. That means turning the car on early and get out the ice scraper - unless you have a can of Johnsen’s De-Icer handy. This stuff is amazing. Nancy bought a can early this winter and uses it every frosty morning. You just spray the windshield, and the frost disappears. … [Read more...]
Holly: The Holy Grail for Wildlife
By Stephen Living Looking out my office window, I could see a flurry of activity around one the holly trees in my back yard. A steady flow of birds flew in and out of the tree and hopped amongst the branches plucking berries. I wandered outside to stretch my legs and enjoy the show. My tree is an American holly. The leathery evergreen leaves are broadly toothed and spiny, and this one … [Read more...]
‘Gator Trout
On the OBX, fishing has not slowed with the late winter weather. Lawrence Benner can vouch for that as he weighed in a 29-inch plus speckled trout that tipped the TW’s Tackle scales at 7.12 pounds. Wow! Striper s and drum continue to bite in the Carolina sounds. Offshore, lots of giant bluefins are being caught and released, along with yellowfins, and blackfins. Virginia March … [Read more...]
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