As men age, they either go bald or turn gray. Some say that having gray hair is better than none at all, but I’m not convinced. Gray hair looks distinguished, at first. Then it begins to lose its thickness and natural oils and turns from gray to an off-white. After a blow dry in the morning, you look like a Q-Tip that stuck its toe in an electrical outlet. So gray (white) isn’t necessarily better … [Read more...]
Squirrel Wars
The Afghanistan conflict wasn’t our longest war. The eternal battle between bird lovers and squirrels is the war that never ends. There can be brief moments of détente, but very brief. If there is bird seed in the area, squirrels will find it or die trying. Our backyard is a demilitarized zone so far as squirrels are concerned. I feed them (and the birds) on the ground in the way back … [Read more...]
Zucchini Potato Pancakes
Wow! Are they good! I saw a recipe for Zucchini Potato Pancakes recently and decided to give it a try. I was in the mood for some Squash Fritters anyway and figured this would be close. It was better. One of the best things I’ve put in my mouth in quite a while, It’s a little labor intensive, but not terribly and it cooks quickly so you can get it from the fridge to the table in about 30 … [Read more...]
Dawn Powerwash
There is a new product beside our kitchen sink. Our friend, Terry Tigner, introduced us to Dawn Powerwash. It makes after dinner clean-ups a thousand times easier. Often, we eat late and sometimes don’t feel like immediately doing the dishes, especially when I have cooked and left pots and pans in a state of greasy disarray. With Dawn Powerwash, simply spray the dishes and pots before … [Read more...]
Swannanoa? Really?
If you haven’t played Swannanoa golf course in a while, you’re in for a surprise. In previous years, you could give a downhill putt a good rap and often leave it short. Not anymore. The greens at Swannanoa are now fast and quick, and there are no more mysterious bumps on the surfaces. They have really improved the course. Last year, during the Chinese Virus (it came from China, you know), a lot … [Read more...]
El Mariachi
By Sherman Shifflett There are several good Mexican restaurants in the Charlottesville area, and now you can add another one. The El Mariachi Bar and Grill at Zion Crossroads. Ava Pippin and I have dined there several times and we plan to return. I can assure you the food is good. Not that I am an authority on Mexican food, but I believe I know more than the average bear. I lived in … [Read more...]
Sedum Autumn Joy
“Come look at all the bees!” my wife had called. “What kind of bees?” I asked, wanting to make sure this backyard visit was worth missing part of the football game I was watching. “Honeybees?” she exclaimed. And they were! Real live honeybees, by the dozens, flitting their way between blooms on what was for us at that time an unidentified flowering plant. Our son Jimmie had given us these … [Read more...]
September Spot
It’s mid-September. In saltwater, that means one thing. Spot. Big yellow-bellied spot. The tasty panfish are spread from well up into the Rappahannock River to the shorelines of Virginia Beach, and there are some dandy fish being caught – up to 14-inches! Spot are in the inlets at Rudee and Lynnhaven and they are tugging at lines dropped from the piers. Spot generally prefer hard-bottom areas, in … [Read more...]
A Brand-New Pair of Roller Skates
When’s the last time you saw a kid on roller skates? We Boomers can’t imagine a childhood without a good pair of skates and a skate key near at hand. I believe my first roller skate encounter was as a 10-year-old in Beckley, WV. A group of school mates decided to head for the nearby skating rink and I signed up – but I was petrified. I wasn’t the most coordinated kid, but I slipped on a pair of … [Read more...]
My Dependable Leatherman Tool
At least ten times a day, I feel around in my pocket to make sure it’s there. If I don’t detect it, I panic. I simply cannot do without my constant companion, my Leatherman Tool. Since I was 6 years old, I have carried a pocket-knife, but about 40 years ago, I discovered the smallest Leatherman Tool, the Micra size. It takes up practically no room and fits easily into a front pocket. It’s so … [Read more...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 168
- 169
- 170
- 171
- 172
- …
- 446
- Next Page »