Like the swallows of Capistrano, they come back every year. My catbirds. They show up in early April, raise a nest of chicks or two, then they’re off for parts unknown. For the past several years, a pair of catbirds has nested in a hedge behind our house. They are really quite interesting. Some confuse catbirds with cowbirds. They sort of look alike, but catbirds are true songbirds while … [Read more...]
Great Mac Support
The world is divided into two groups of people. Those who own and use Macs, and all the others – the PC people. I learned what little – and I stress what little – I know about computers on a Mac. Barbara Livesay, my graphic designer for Virginia Outdoor Weekly, said they were easier to work with and that even someone with a pea for a brain (like me) could use them. So for the past 25 years, I have … [Read more...]
Cowboy Ribeye Steaks
When we were in Hawaii celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary, Nancy and I went to Ruth’s Chris Steak House on our last night. We each ordered a steak and they were huge. We gave it our best shot yet couldn’t finish either slab of beef. But the fellow next to us had a steak even larger. It was a Cowboy Ribeye, about a 3 pound cut of meat with the rib bone still attached. He also didn’t finish … [Read more...]
The Lake Monticello Golf Course
One good thing about not being a member of a particular country club or golf course is that you get to play lots of different courses – and we have some really nice venues in Central Virginia. One of the best is just a few miles outside Charlottesville – Lake Monticello. The course is challenging, beautiful, and is kept in top condition. The famous golf architect, Buddy Loving, thoughtfully … [Read more...]
Virginia Saltwater
Dr. Ken Neill Some nice catches of spadefish have been made at the Chesapeake Light Tower and over some of the coastal wrecks. More are showing on structures inside the bay. “Nice” means by today’s standards, not the 9- and 10-pound spadefish we used to catch. Spanish Mackerel are being caught along the oceanfront and have begun to move on into the bay. Cobia have arrived in the … [Read more...]
Mossy Creek Report
The James and Shenandoah Rivers The Shenandoah was at a good level and clarity to float and fish on June 10, but over an inch of rain mixed with strong storms caused localized flooding. It has been a rough season for smallmouth fisheries and we are hopeful that populations are in tact despite potentially losing the entire spawn this year. Hopefully we will have an extended season into October … [Read more...]
Smallmouth Spawn In Trouble
If even a single smallmouth bass spawns this spring, it will be a miracle. Rivers have been high and out of their banks on a regular basis. Bass need a small window of opportunity to lay their eggs, have them fertilized and then guard the nest, but there hasn’t been that window. It is likely we will lose an entire class of fish, but I’ve read that if the smallmouth get just 2 or 3 good spawns in a … [Read more...]
The Court Theater
(Remembering life as a boy in Lewisburg, WV, an amazing town and an amazing time to live) There was just one movie theater in Lewisburg when I moved from Beckley – the Court Theater. It was located, naturally, on Court Street, about a half block from Washington Street, the main thoroughfare through town. The Court Theater served as a major hub of social activity for young and old … [Read more...]
Golfers Lose Friendly Voice
The local golf and sports community has lost a powerful voice -Jerry Ratcliff, former Sports Editor for the Charlottesville Daily Progress. I say former because the Daily Progress in their infinite wisdom has decided that after three and a half decades of loyal service and splendid columns that they part ways with Jerry Ratcliff. Jerry was new on board when I first began writing outdoors … [Read more...]
Fish and Chips at Bonefish
Unlike the French and Italians, the British aren’t known for their culinary skills. When Kidney Pie is one of your top dishes, you know you’re in trouble. But one thing the Brits do well, and are famous for, is Fish and Chips. Fish and Chips was a blue-collar staple for the English working men. They used white fish caught in trawlers in the North Sea, then fried the fish, served them with potatoes … [Read more...]
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