I grew up in what could be acknowledged as the Iris Capital of the World. Greenbrier County in West Virginia. Every May, the West Virginia Hills would spring to life with Iris blooms - along roads, bordering driveways, in massive beds and overwhelming the landscape with their beauty. The climate is perfect in this, one of the most beautiful counties in America. Add cool evenings, with … [Read more...]
Draw a Crowd (Of Birds)
I know we’re supposed to “social distance” and all that mask stuff, but when it comes to birds, I want to draw a crowd. The more the merrier, bring ‘em on. The best way, I have found to attract lots of birds is to – first – provide fresh water – and second, provide multiple food sources. If you put up a feeder with sunflower and basic seeds, you’ll certainly attract birds, but a limited … [Read more...]
Things You Can Count On – Like Nancy B’s
By Nancy B I have found when I have bad hair days for a month and my appointment is tomorrow, I can count on my hair suddenly looking great just in time for the appointment. I have also found when I plant bulbs or new tender plants and squirrels are around, I can count on the varmints digging them up. In addition I have found when there is a family portrait planned, I can count on one of the … [Read more...]
Red-breasted Grosbeaks
As I went out to the back yard one morning this week, I caught sight of the tail ends of two black and white birds flying away. I thought at first they were a pair of Downy Woodpeckers, but the stark separation between the black and white made me wonder. When I returned to the house, I saw my visitors at the feeder. They were Red-breasted Grossbeaks and they were stunning. I have had a few … [Read more...]
My First Crop
I harvested my first crop from my new La Cage Mahal – the 50 x 10 foot, completely enclosed, wire cage I have installed to keep squirrels, rabbits, deer and groundhogs at bay. It was a picking of onions, from last year, actually. I had pulled about half on my spring onions last spring. but let the others go. They sprouted and grew, then shriveled away in summer’s heat. And … [Read more...]
A Perfect Meal at Outback
We recently enjoyed a perfect dining experience at The Outback Restaurant on 29 North. It was not just perfectly good, it was perfect. Food, service, everything. Just perfect. Our server was Betty. She greeted us with water almost immediately and there was none of this, “How are you guys, tonight?” She was most professional, introduced herself, offered to get us drinks and in short … [Read more...]
Mexican Veggie Pie
This is Cinco de Mayo week. Cinco de Mayo (May 5) is a big deal in Mexico, commemorating a great victory in the Battle of Puebla during the Franco/Mexican War in 1862. It is a day of great pride for the Mexican people and a day when Americans eat about 100 million avocados and pretend they know how to cook Mexican food. This includes yours truly. However, slowly but surely, I am able to cook … [Read more...]
Cobia Hit the OBX
The Cobia have arrived. Captain Ryan out of Manteo hit the jackpot as he was coming back to port and caught his limit of cobia. Not only are the cobia hitting, keeper-sized puppy drum are thick in the Albemarle Sound. Capt. Reese Stecher (beachbum.fishing) says that the problem often when catching puppy drum is that they are either too big or too small, the slot being 18-27-inches. … [Read more...]
Special Entertainment
I was treated to a dazzling display of special entertainment this week. My wife, Nancy, performed a little synchronized swimming act in our very own goldfish pond. It happened this way. Nancy had set up a row of chairs beside our pond for front-row observation of our frogs and goldfish. The chairs were less than a foot from the pond and I warned that someone could lose their balance and fall in. … [Read more...]
Return of the Catbirds
We have birds that stay with us throughout the year, like the Cardinals and Finches. We have birds such as Cedar Waxwings and Eastern Towhees that just stop by to say hello and we have some seasonal birds. The Snowbirds, for example, come in late fall and leave in the spring. Our Hummingbirds, of course, are summer visitors and the Brown Thrashers leave in the fall and return in the spring. So … [Read more...]
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