Catfish is one of my favorite occupants on a dinner plate. Fresh catfish is mild and sweet and goes down mighty easy with a dollop of tartar sauce. I catch catfish from time to time, and if they are 14-inches or better, and less than 5 pounds, I’ll skin them and fry them for dinner. I’m leery of larger catfish. If there are any contaminants in a body of water, the larger catfish are more likely to … [Read more...]
A Visit to the Principal
“Report to the principal’s office!” For young Boomers, those words were the equivalent of “Uncle Sam really wants you!” or “Is it contagious?” An invitation to the principal’s office in the 1950’s and 60’s was not for discussing world events or even for a chat about your future pursuit of higher education. It was not to find out your thoughts on the Homecoming Dance décor for the gymnasium … [Read more...]
A West Point Getaway
Need a saltwater fix? If you’re in Central Virginia, the closest place is West Point, which happens to be one of my favorite places to catch croakers. A West Point getaway? Why not? It turns out that West Point is ideal as a home base for those who like to catch a few fish, see some beautiful countryside and enjoy some terrific food. West Pont is located on Route 33, about a dozen miles east … [Read more...]
Fast Closings at PrimeLending
The other mortgage company couldn’t approve the loan. Apparently their loan officers didn’t have the experience about how to close this particular VA loan. Then, Steve Hargett and Jeff Johnson at PrimeLending took over and the loan was closed in less than three weeks*, an unheard of time these days amidst the quagmire of banking laws and regulations. But when you have knowledge, … [Read more...]
Mr. Sandman, Bring Me a Wedge
Who would dump a truckload of sand on a nice golf course? Worse, who would dump multiple loads, putting sand on or along every hole on the course? That would be like stocking fire ants on your property or hanging a sign on your front door saying: Attention Burglars. We are on vacation this week. The door is unlocked. Make yourselves at home. The silver is in the drawer of the china cabinet in the … [Read more...]
Tautog Are Biting
Virginia Saltwater Report by Dr. Julie Ball We endured yet another harsh winter, and now spring fever is rampant. But with water temperatures still lagging in the low forties, expect a late start to the much-anticipated arrival of the first species of the season, the croaker, flounder, bluefish, red drum and black drum. Tautog fishing is still pretty much the only game in town until the waters … [Read more...]
Spatchcock Chicken
We eat a lot of chicken at my house—it’s cheap, versatile and good for you. But we are dark meat people—legs for me, thighs for my beloved and we’ll both choose a back over everything when available. We OD’ed on white meat with the creation of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. They were convenient, but you really had to do something special to them to make them taste good. Our kids prefer the … [Read more...]
Practice Makes Perfect
“The more I practice, the luckier I get.” Ben Hogan. Hogan would have liked the Highlands Golf Park in Ruckersville. One of the most dedicated golf pros of all time, Hogan knew that spending time on the range would improve his game. And great as he was, Hogan never stopped trying to improve. As certified “duffers”, we need practice more than anyone and highland is a great place to hone our … [Read more...]
Grackle Attack
They come in swarms, just as spring arrives. Only this year they came early. The grackles, that is. And they’ll eat you out of house and home. Throughout the winter, I feed my birds sunflower seed hearts. Because it has already been shelled, birds such as robins, mockingbirds and my beloved bluebirds can eat and digest the hearts. But sunflower seed hearts and chips are expensive, about twenty … [Read more...]
That First Best Friend
His name was Freddie Arnold. He was sent by heaven to save a young Boomer from a life dominated by girls. He was my first, best friend. The summer before I would start third grade in Beckley, WV, my family moved across town. I would be in a new school and in a new neighborhood. The day the movers were unloading our furniture, a bolt of lightning hit the refrigerator one of the men was … [Read more...]