For years, the only shoes I would put on my feet (other than wingtips for dressy occasions) were BASS Weejuns. They were the official shoes of Boomer-hood and I loved them. During WWII, leather was in short supply, much of it going to the war effort as boots, belts, and slings for soldiers. Shoes were rationed and recycled. The shoe repairman was the most popular guy in town. After the war, … [Read more...]
Celia’s Mock Toffee
Celia Branch, our one-time across-the-street neighbor, was one of the sweetest humans who ever lived. She was good-natured to a fault, always had a smile on her face and left this earth entirely too soon. And could she ever cook! Celia did elaborate cakes for weddings and would often share her kitchen concoctions with us. One of her special treats, and one of the best tasting things you can put … [Read more...]
Remembering School Lunches
By Sherman Shifflett (ed. Note: My good friend, the late Sherman Shifflett, sent me this article back in 2019, and it’s worth reprinting) There were 11 children in my family and mom said I was the only one who did not like peanut butter and grape jelly sandwiches. It didn’t make sense because I like peanuts and I like grape jelly. Go figure. But Mom mixed things up and we seldom … [Read more...]
Signs of Our Times
A Catbird Sighting
I saw a catbird at our feeder early this week, which was highly unusual since they usually skip town around August. Later that day, I saw a mockingbird in the same area. “I must have mistaken the two birds,” I thought to myself. “They are both gray.” Then yesterday I saw the catbird again, pecking away at my C&S Peanut Suet Log. And it was a catbird, no mistaking. I have never seen a … [Read more...]
White Oak Lavender Farm
There are a zillion wineries in Virginia. Maybe not a zillion, but at least a million. They are everywhere, especially in the Shenandoah Valley where grape vines truly thrive. One of our favorite pastimes is to visit a winery on a lazy Sunday afternoon, especially when Jimmy O is strumming his guitar, as he did last weekend at White Oak Lavender Farm. & The Purple Wolf Vineyard. The drive over … [Read more...]
Soup’s On
It’s fall, for sure, and time to make soup. I tried a new recipe last night and it was as stunning as a sugar maple in full, fall foliage. Best yet, it’s as easy-as-pie to assemble. It’s so simple, I hesitate to share this recipe, but it was – I believe – the best Vegetable Beef Soup I’ve ever made. Here’s how. It’s a crock pot recipe, so it’s not time sensitive. Put it on sometime in the … [Read more...]
Trout Stocking Underway
The hatchery trucks are on the move. Though streams are a bit low, trout will soon find their way from the hatchery raceways to the gurgling currents of mountain brooks. Let the fall trout fishing begin. Virginia contains over 3,500 miles of trout streams, in addition to numerous ponds, small lakes and reservoirs. The total includes over 2,900 miles of wild trout streams and about 600 … [Read more...]
The Golden Age of Radio
I spend about an hour a day in my car, more if I’m on a trip, and I always have the radio on. I pretty much ignore talk radio anymore – too depressing, so I listen to the oldies station or light rock. It’s background noise, mostly, something to occupy the time. But there was once a time when the radio not only made noise, but it also entertained us. Many Boomers recall the Golden Age of … [Read more...]
Liberty Mills Farm Corn Maze
Yep, it’s that time of year. Time to hop on a hay wagon, time to pluck a ripe pumpkin from a patch of orange and time to get lost in a corn maze. And the best place to do all of that is at Liberty Mills Farm in Somerset. At 34 acres, their corn maze is one of the largest in the country. This year they offer 4 trails - ranging from “Kiddie Friendly” to “Even Old Folks Don’t Get Lost” to … [Read more...]
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