Distilleries are popping up everywhere. We have a number of them now in Virginia and one is pretty close to Charlottesville. Last weekend Nancy and I drove out to nearby Ivy to check out Ragged Branch Distillery. “They make their own bourbon and raise their own cattle for steaks,” Nancy explained on the drive out. Bourbon and steaks? How can you go wrong? Bourbon has always been … [Read more...]

Well-meaning humans often buy pets without realizing the amount of care and attention that will be required. Birds and parrots, in fact, can be more labor intensive than dogs and cats. They require special treatment. Birds can also be loud and messy.  Therefore, when people purchase birds from exotic pet stores without knowing what’s required, they will often mistreat the birds or give them up for … [Read more...]

    Everybody loves an award. I remember those little blue and red stars my fourth-grade teacher put on my report card for good work or perfect attendance. Everybody loves an honor. And trophies or awards don’t have to be expensive. In fact, they are downright cheap at Rangeland Trophies, Awards and Archery in Ruckersville. Last weekend, our golfing group staged the equivalent … [Read more...]

About 15 years ago, we decided to break down and get a shed. Nancy was tired of seeing all my tools and lawn mower stacked on our tiny back deck and in our basement. We had worried that the wrong shed would make our yard look like a redneck trailer park, so we went shopping. We by-passed the shed company that does lots of local advertising because their prices seemed high. But just south of … [Read more...]

I enjoy going grocery shopping. I like to poke around and see what looks good, what motivates me to cook a particular dish and I especially like to run across good deals. But recently, my trips to the grocery store have stimulated more than a few “Grrrs”. They are starting to tick me off. One of the biggest gripes I now have is that with all the people calling in their orders, the aisles … [Read more...]

I went to Kroger’s last Sunday morning at 7:30 am, needing some bacon, pancake mix and melons for a Mother’s Day Breakfast I was preparing for Nancy. Even at that early hour, when I pulled in the parking lot, there were several men out picking up trash and litter. They were the maintenance employees of one of the great local Cville businesses – Unique Services, owned and operated  by Lawrence … [Read more...]

There are only a handful of stores where I know I will be greeted and welcomed and that what ensues will always be a good experience. The Corner Store Garden Shop in Ruckersville is such a place. Garden Stores are super busy this time of the year and most don’t have the time or take time to stop and chat with customers and offer advice. I needed a little advice and I knew the store owners, the … [Read more...]

  We have been dealing with Tiger Fuel for years. They are the folks who keep the propane tank in our back yard filled for our gas logs. What we didn’t know until recently is that they also service gas logs. Generally, we have a technician from one of the stove companies come out and clean our gas logs before each season. This year, the technician said our logs were old and not in good … [Read more...]

You need a good car mechanic. Someone you can trust. I have Mark Finley with Finley’s Exxon. Bingo. You also need a good plumber. Again, somebody you can rely on for good service and fair prices. I have Mr. Faucet, Pat Crowley. Two for two. And if you’re like me, a complete Klutz around the house, incapable of distinguishing which side of the hammer does nails, you really need a good handyman … [Read more...]

  They call it Rivah Country. The counties of Middlesex, Mathews, Lancaster, Northumberland, Essex, King and Queen and Gloucester all front on the Virginia section of the Chesapeake Bay or one of the “Rivahs.” This is prime real estate, both in appreciation and enjoyment value. For those looking at or thinking about real estate in this Virginia piece of paradise, there is one name to … [Read more...]