I once won a Blue Ribbon in a West Virginia Garden Club Flower Show. Therefore, despite what my golf buddies may say, I do have certain skills. This is how it all happened. My mother, Frances, was always involved with Garden Clubs and Flower Shows. She served as President in both the State and the National Garden Club. She judged shows across the country and was frequently called … [Read more...]
Red Romaine Leaf Lettuce
Sometimes you get lucky. This spring I bought two varieties of lettuce to plant in the upper part of my garden which doesn’t get as much sun, and very little grows there. Lettuce, spring onions and potatoes usually occupy that space. I know about Black Simpson leaf lettuce, that does well. So, I bought a package of those seeds, then saw a pack of red romaine lettuce. Why not? I … [Read more...]
A Grackle Deterrent
I have figured out how to keep deer out. I built a fence around my yard, then an enclosed fence for my garden. So, I don’t worry about deer. I also have squirrels reasonably under control with my garden fence, baffles on the seed poles, and the use of Red-Hot Bird Seed. But with squirrels, you never know. They are wily so-and-sos. But grackles are another story. They drive … [Read more...]
Pork Loin Back Ribs
If it’s not on special, I don’t buy it. At least that’s my goal each time I visit a grocery store. Last week, I passed by the “Special Bin” at Kroger’s and there were two, half-sections of Pork Loin Back Ribs. They were like three dollars and change each, so I bought both. These Pork Loin Back Ribs were a bit thicker than typical Baby Back ribs and I decided to slow-cook them so they … [Read more...]
A Wadcutter Bullet for Show and Tell
This story just goes to show how mightily things have changed from the 1950s to the world we live in today. I was in fourth grade, and it was nearing the end of the year. For eight months we had been doing Show and Tell every Monday morning, and now we were truly running out of good ideas. One kid brought in a comb with a few teeth missing he had found in a trash can and … [Read more...]
A State Record Fallfish
Is there such a thing as a State Record for a fallfish? Apparently. A fellow named Josh Dolin caught one of these “trash fish” on the Cowpasture River on May 6. He weighed it in at 3 ½ pounds and they say that’s a new Virginia state record. Fallfish are nightmares to trout fishermen. They live in the same kinds of waters. Two fallfish I have caught in the past stand out in my … [Read more...]
Hot Fishing in Virginia Saltwater
(Great Tuna Catch Out Of Rudee Inlet) Virginia saltwater anglers enjoyed outstanding fishing over the long Memorial Day weekend! Water temperatures hit the magic 70-degree mark and lots of cobia arrived on cue all along the oceanfront and up into the lower bay. The cobia capture season opens June 15th, until then anglers are releasing them. Cobia will hit just about … [Read more...]
King of the Cowboys
When I was a boy, we either played Army or cowboys. Both involved guns. In our imaginary Army battles, we found long sticks to serve as makeshift carbines. When we played cowboys, there was only one choice of firearms. A set of Roy Rogers six-shooters in a leather holster with holes for the bullets. And it was always Roy Rogers and never Gene Autry because, after all, Roy Rogers was King of the … [Read more...]
Locally Owned: Come In and Feel the Difference
By Nancy B In my last blog, I told you a little bit about myself. My business card has my title as owner and founder. For fun, years ago, my card read lighting goddess. To be honest, my title could read head peon. When you own your own company, nothing is beneath you. You empty trash, you plant flowers at the entrance, you deal with vendors and strive to get the best product and price … [Read more...]
Squirrels: How do I hate thee?
Squirrels! How do I hate thee? Let me count the ways. I hate thee when you chew the top off a $50 birdfeeder because there was once a seed inside. I hate thee when you gnaw on my $20 plastic lawn chairs in the back yard for who knows why? I despise thee when you sneak into my garden somehow, take one bite out of plump tomato and leave it there for the ants. I hate thee when you … [Read more...]
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