We’ve had a nighttime visitor in our little goldfish pond. The reason we know is that our after-hours “guest” has turned several water plant pots in the pond over during his visits. We also found one of our big snails laying upside down beside the pond the next morning. But he was fine when we tossed him back in the water. I have to suppose that our pond invader is and was a … [Read more...]
Neat Stuff: Patio Fans
Nancy and I are blessed with a sprawling, tree-shaded patio in our backyard. Since the grass wouldn’t grow among all the tree roots, we poured concrete and created a nice outdoor room, which we thoroughly enjoy. But! Here comes summer and 90 degree weather, which makes sitting outside beside our new goldfish pond– even in the shade – not so enjoyable. Christmas before last, Nancy had the … [Read more...]
What’s a Ribbonfish?
The ribbonfish are back. Boats trolling for Spanish mackerel off Virginia’s coast are catching them with regularity. But what’s a ribbonfish? Also known as cutlassfish, ribbonfish look exactly as described – long, sleek and an iridescent blue with a mouth full of teeth. The “ribbons’ mostly hang on the ocean’s bottom, until they get hungry and swarm to the surface to intercept menhaden or … [Read more...]
Writing Five Dollar Checks
I can’t tell you how many five dollar checks I wrote during my years at UNC. All told, they might have stacked three feet high. Writing small checks was simply a way of life in the sixties. For one, we didn’t have charge cards. There were a few gasoline charge cards around, but VISA had yet to make an appearance, so if we needed money, we wrote checks. I can recall writing one-dollar checks … [Read more...]
Poison Ivy Itch Remedy
Lawd, poison ivy will make you itch. Thanks, Coasters, for that warning. Last weekend, I brushed up against one of the little three leaf devils and found myself a’scratching the next day. But not to worry. I have a quick cure to relieve the itching from a poison ivy attack. It’s called Melaleuca Oil, a tea leaf extract from certain tea trees in Australia. During WWII, every … [Read more...]
Red Clover
All along our roadsides, a beautiful pink plant is now blooming. It’s red clover, a lovely and versatile member of the bean family. Red clover is a short-lived perennial and can grow to heights of nearly three feet. Many of the plants I saw while heading to the Shenandoah Valley last weekend were pushing two feet and they were beautiful. Red clover is not native to America, but has thrived … [Read more...]
Road Trip To Bridgewater
Last Sunday, Nancy and I decided to celebrate Father’s Day with a Sunday Drive to the Shenandoah Valley. Nancy deviled some eggs and we stopped by the Colonel’s and picked up a bucket of Fried Chicken and we were off to Bridgewater. Why Bridgewater? Because not far from this small college town is one of the most bucolic places I’ve ever seen. We discovered it on a random trip we made last year … [Read more...]
Carmello’s Ristorante Italiano
Finally! We can go out to eat again. Nancy and I don’t eat out that often, but about every week or 10 days, we like to let someone else do the cooking and dish washing and enjoy an evening out. During the lock down, we never did do a take-out order, other than fast food. I didn’t want to eat warmed-up food out of Styrofoam boxes, and if I was going to eat at home, I’d just as soon cook … [Read more...]
Lemon Ice Box Pie
Lemon meringue pie is not my favorite. Oh, I’ll eat a slice if someone serves it, but if there was apple, blackberry, cherry, peach, chocolate or strawberry, I’d eat that first. I do, however, love Lemon Ice Box Pie. I made one this week. It was very good – and like all my cooking – very easy. Here’s how. For the crust, you can smash a bunch of Graham Crackers and mix with melted … [Read more...]
“Fee fi fo fum”
I do not recall selling the family cow for a handful of magic beans, but the way my pole beans are heading for the sky makes me wonder. I have erected supports up to 6 feet and they have long since passed that height. It’s as if they are daring the Giant to climb down the beanstalk – or for me to climb up? I have had decent luck growing pole beans in seasons past, except for the rabbits. I … [Read more...]
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