They are called common daisies, but there is nothing ”common” about them. The delicate white and yellow flowers – usually growing wild – are among nature’s most lovely and they are just beginning to bloom along our roads and bi-ways. Daisies are flowers you would normally find in a meadow – if we still had meadows. Mostly, we don’t. We now have thick stands of fescue grass across most … [Read more...]
The Return of the Brown Thrashers
I find it fascinating that if I have a pair of catbirds in my yard one year, I will have a pair the next year. Like the swallows of Capistrano, they always return. And so it is with my pair of Brown Thrashers. They are among my loveliest backyard visitors. Many confuse Brown Thrashers with Wood Thrush, and refer to a Thrasher as a Thrush. Not so. The Wood Thrush is slightly smaller … [Read more...]
Outer Banks Driftwood
Our new goldfish pond was in place. We had water, plants, fish, snails, tadpoles and rocks, but something was missing. We needed a piece of driftwood for character, and it just so happens I had a beautiful piece of genuine Outer Banks Driftwood. Nancy and I were fortunate enough to have been able to take a short vacation to Nags Head just before they closed things down. I was able to … [Read more...]
Lamp Shades Influence Your Home’s Décor
Big box stores sell lamp shades, but is there a salesperson who knows anything about them? Our staff does. Does your lamp need a riser, harp, saddle, bushing or finial? Do you have an old favorite shade (that may have come with the lamp) that needs to be relined? The heat from incandescent bulbs is hard on linings, so is the sun. Some old shades that are one-of-a-kind, simply cannot be replaced. … [Read more...]
Spot Making an Early Showing
Good catches of spot continue to come from inside the Rappahannock. This is taking place much earlier than usual. Often, it’s September before the spot turn on. As usual, bloodworms are the ticket. Whiting are also moving up into the bay waters, concentrated especially at the mouth of the Rappahannock. White perch are there as well. Stan Cobb of Greentop notes that the first catches of … [Read more...]
We Called Him Dr. B
Remembering people in your life that have made a difference. I can think of one who truly stands out. His name was Arie D. Bestebreurtje. We called him Dr. B. From Holland, Dr. B was an Olympic speed skater, an alternate on the Dutch Speed Skating Team at the 1936 games. A law school graduate, Dr. B escaped Nazi occupation at the start of the war, reached England and joined the exiled … [Read more...]
Installing A Fishpond
We just completed a wonderful addition to our backyard – a small goldfish pond. I have wanted one for years, mainly as a home for my bullfrog friends, but we really needed one when our 8 ever-growing goldfish outgrew their 35 gallon tub. After the dust has settled, I would encourage everyone to consider putting in a small pond on their property. It is not overly expensive and it … [Read more...]
How Sweet It Is!
Funny, but there are still a handful of smells that I can distinctly remember from my youth. One was the smell of a new baseball mitt, a strong leather scent that lasted until you left your glove out in the rain just once. Another smell was that of a new pair of blue jeans, the aroma of the strong indigo dye was tantalizing. Another unforgettable scent I recall was from Grandma Brewer’s kitchen … [Read more...]
Vocelli’s Artisan Pizza
I would give anything to be able to go to a restaurant and write an “Eatin’ Out” review - even it was a bad experience. I am so ready to go out to eat again, and as soon as the doors open at Bonefish or any other of my favorite eateries, I’ll be there, virus or not. In the meantime, at least we can go to some restaurants and pick up an order to go. Last Sunday, we decided on a pizza and called … [Read more...]
I Hate Thinning
No, not my waistline, that definitely needs thinning. It’s thinning the recently sprouted seedlings that I can’t stand, and I usually do a lousy gardening job by letting the plants crowd themselves and therefore produce fewer vegetables. I’ve got that problem right now. I decided - since I now have a small fence around my garden to prevent rabbits from sampling my wares – to plant pole … [Read more...]
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