We just had a big weekend...here's the highlights:
Community Fun Day was Saturday and it featured:
A high temperature of 50 degrees with 25 mph winds....BRRRRR!
Despite that, a record crowd of over 300 people...
Approximately 100 of those were costumed...
The Climbing Wall was the most popular activity...
Followed by Bingo...
Then Archery...
And then, the hotdog lunch...
Which featured an attempt at Bill's Hotdog's white bean chili...
There was ice cream and cookies...
Other news from Saturday included:
First migrant waterfowl and shorebirds appear in the Albemarle...
Auburn whipped Ole Miss in football...
East Carolina beat Tulane at Homecoming...
UNC won their game...
And NC State got trounced by Florida State University.
Sunday highlights included:
High Ropes with Edenton Baptist...
Lee Scripture painted his pintail decoy...
Today is Halloween, if you dress as a normal person you can tell people you are dressed as:
An alien from Earth...
A bourgeoisie member...
A Lands' End model...
An onlooker...
Halloween Tips:
Go with your children when they Trick or Treat!
Only accept factory wrapped candy...
Inspect your child's candy, and save some for yourself...
Make all family members brush their teeth two times...
Take a flashlight with you when you Trick or Treat...
Do not look for Tricks...treats only...
Wear plenty of clothes, and layer if possible...it will be cool tonight...
Only visit houses of those you know...
Avoid dressing children in costumes made of plastic that could cause breathing problems...
Ensure that face paints are non-allergenic...
Drive slowly in neighborhoods and watch carefully for other Trick or Treaters...
Ration your child's candy over the coming weeks...
Enjoy the day!
October 31, 2011
October 26, 2011
Unconventional Cookery
Listen up people. Now. Since it gets dark earlier, I find myself at a loss for afternoon activities. Other than constantly painting and rigging decoys, there's not much fun to be had outside in the dark. Tossing the football with a flashlight is about as easy as quantum physics. Still, there are things to do indoors...like cooking. I love to cook. My mom taught me the ways of the kitchen when I was young. I remember making lots of things from scratch. Still, as great of a baker as my mother was, I was often troubled by the rigidity of the recipes and her unwillingness to try something a tad bit different. But I do understand that baking is more science. Cooking, though, is definitely an art. I have prepared some strange dishes for friends, family, and even foes. Bending conventional wisdom has allowed me to impress a lot of folks. Most would agree that I am a decent warmer or produce and meat.
If there are two things I do well, it's grill a hamburger or roast a chicken a la Joel Robuchon. I have all the eastern North Carolina basics mastered, including the sweet potato, collard greens, and peach cobbler. I can even prepare pork parts over flame or through conventional heating. What I have worked on the past several years were ways to "improve" these dishes. I have even created a few more... Either way, here are some I missed or mastered, and some I have recently tried and enjoyed...
Traditional Food: Pork Shoulder
Upgrades: I like to reduce a can of Cheerwine by 75 % and drizzle the pulled meat afterward, along with the traditional vinegar sauce. By the way, I never chop the meat...always PULL the meat!
Traditional Food: Sweet Potatoes
Upgrades: Other than the traditional add-ins such as brown sugar and marshmallows, I find it nice to add applesauce, a bit of molasses, and dried cranberries to the mixture.
Traditional Food: French Fries
Upgrades: I always pull the fries out of the fryer, drain them, then fry them again. They come out crisper. After retracting them from the fryer, they all get a little fresh sage and a bit of salt. Old Bay is awesome on fries, too, but I can't take credit for that.
Traditional Food: Store-bought Pancake Mix
Upgrades: Instead of water, I like to add Orange Juice to the mixture, especially if I'll be adding bananas or blueberries to the pancakes.
Traditional Food: Spaghetti
Upgrades: Most folks, I assume, boil their noodles in salted or plain water. Some do it up right with chicken broth. I like to boil green tea, and then add the noodles. I also do the same with rice. It adds flavor, without the extra sodium from chicken broth.
Traditional Food: Store Bought Dry Cake Mixture
Upgrades: Boxed cake mix is the most versatile dessert in the world. I don't make cake from scratch, because each new cake is an opportunity and adventure. If I'm making Orange Supreme, the cake gets mixed with OJ, and then, upon completion of baking, it gets Orange Jello poured over it and then allowed to set. Chocolate cakes mixes are always infused with coffee. I'll put anything into a cake. I have even put bacon and maple syrup icing on cupcakes, which is 1,000,000 times better than you can imagine.
There's a whole lot more...especially in the sweets portion of my repertoire. English Toffee with mint is great. Just last night I was alerted to the combination of popcorn and candy corn. It was incredible. I imagine that a little homemade caramel stirred into popcorn and candy corn would be supreme. I have to be right on that. I'm also working on a project that will see that ordinary bread pudding parts, such as stale bread, are replaced with Krispy Kreme donuts, bran muffins, and biscuits. That, too, would be stupendous. Or stupid.
Either way, the kitchen is a great way to be creative, as long as you have an unexpired fire extinguisher and a friend or two with an adventurous palette.
Enjoy the day...
If there are two things I do well, it's grill a hamburger or roast a chicken a la Joel Robuchon. I have all the eastern North Carolina basics mastered, including the sweet potato, collard greens, and peach cobbler. I can even prepare pork parts over flame or through conventional heating. What I have worked on the past several years were ways to "improve" these dishes. I have even created a few more... Either way, here are some I missed or mastered, and some I have recently tried and enjoyed...
Traditional Food: Pork Shoulder
Upgrades: I like to reduce a can of Cheerwine by 75 % and drizzle the pulled meat afterward, along with the traditional vinegar sauce. By the way, I never chop the meat...always PULL the meat!
Traditional Food: Sweet Potatoes
Upgrades: Other than the traditional add-ins such as brown sugar and marshmallows, I find it nice to add applesauce, a bit of molasses, and dried cranberries to the mixture.
Traditional Food: French Fries
Upgrades: I always pull the fries out of the fryer, drain them, then fry them again. They come out crisper. After retracting them from the fryer, they all get a little fresh sage and a bit of salt. Old Bay is awesome on fries, too, but I can't take credit for that.
Traditional Food: Store-bought Pancake Mix
Upgrades: Instead of water, I like to add Orange Juice to the mixture, especially if I'll be adding bananas or blueberries to the pancakes.
Traditional Food: Spaghetti
Upgrades: Most folks, I assume, boil their noodles in salted or plain water. Some do it up right with chicken broth. I like to boil green tea, and then add the noodles. I also do the same with rice. It adds flavor, without the extra sodium from chicken broth.
Traditional Food: Store Bought Dry Cake Mixture
Upgrades: Boxed cake mix is the most versatile dessert in the world. I don't make cake from scratch, because each new cake is an opportunity and adventure. If I'm making Orange Supreme, the cake gets mixed with OJ, and then, upon completion of baking, it gets Orange Jello poured over it and then allowed to set. Chocolate cakes mixes are always infused with coffee. I'll put anything into a cake. I have even put bacon and maple syrup icing on cupcakes, which is 1,000,000 times better than you can imagine.
There's a whole lot more...especially in the sweets portion of my repertoire. English Toffee with mint is great. Just last night I was alerted to the combination of popcorn and candy corn. It was incredible. I imagine that a little homemade caramel stirred into popcorn and candy corn would be supreme. I have to be right on that. I'm also working on a project that will see that ordinary bread pudding parts, such as stale bread, are replaced with Krispy Kreme donuts, bran muffins, and biscuits. That, too, would be stupendous. Or stupid.
Either way, the kitchen is a great way to be creative, as long as you have an unexpired fire extinguisher and a friend or two with an adventurous palette.
Enjoy the day...
October 24, 2011
The Ultimate Babysitter
Good Morning World. I hope your weekend was as fair as mine. Apart from my Auburn Tigers getting absolutely throttled by Louisiana State University and spending 4 hours staring at a boat ramp (not tom mention a long story about a sailboat), my weekend turned out OK. We had some great groups over the weekend, including NC-MSEN from Durham, who took part in our Team Challenge Course program and Rock Climbing program. The weather was better than perfect, too. Either way, I heard some interesting conversations this weekend while eavesdropping...apparently, many families are foregoing the use of the television.
Why in the world someone would decide not to employ the use of a television is beyond me. Studies and research prove that the tube can occupy up to 4 consecutive hours of a child's time. Sure, this time could be spent doing homework, but TV is educational on a couple of the 300 channels. The odds alone say there is a 1 chance in 150 that a child will find some great programming. Parents, too, can reap the benefits of the small screen. Tired of family dinners and conversation with your spouse or children? Watch TV and eat dinner, simultaneously. Table setting and clean-up will be another nuisance wiped away by the marvelous television. Experts recommend eating off of paper plates, to eliminate wasted water through dishwashing. All can sit in peace and quiet while Brian Williams or Two Broke Girls remind us of all that is good in the world.
Still, there are those who attempt to villaify the television. Apparently, it can hamper and hinder a child and it's family from participating in a little exercise. That fix is easy....tie a cinder block to the remote. That makes changing the channel a challenge, but only if the remote control is actually lifted with the block. Some say programming is not educational. Are you telling me "The Real World 354" is not good? It's about the REAL WORLD! No, "Dancing With the Stars" is not a show about astronomy, but one could learn the tango and foxtrot!
The Television is the ultimate babysitter. It can entertain children, adults, and even pets, for hours and hours!
Nevertheless, I do watch a lot of television - but only after 9:00 pm and before 7:00 am. I love to catch the news...college football is another great way to relax on Saturdays. I also tivo a lot of items to watch later in the night as I wind down. And yes, many families are reaping the benefits from a reduction or restriction on television viewing. Families are re-introducing themselves to each other at the dinner table. Growing up, supper was the highlight of the day. Sometimes, we'd spend an hour at the table laughing and talking. Or figuring out a way to hide the squash on my dinner plate. Still, the supper table is where I learned about life. I probably didn't learn much, but it's more than I learned from the "Real World".
Anyway, to make a compelling argument for both sides, I have included my Top 10 Television shows of all time:
1) Saved by the Bell - Seems like just a few years ago when this scrubbed-clean teen show told me not to do drugs, drink and drive, or sell my parents home. They don't make 'em like this any more.
2) MacGuyver - There is no cooler show and you know it. Richard Dean Anderson could get out of any house, hole, or hideout with a spoon, breadtie, and saliva.
3) The Real World - Yep, I realize I criticized it above, but it is a classic. It's pure trash, but it has helped to shape what is acceptable. It's probably the Number 1 reason that folks my age are as tolerant as they are. It's had over 600 shows, and it's filmed from houses all over the world - something's working. I just wish it was like the early days, when the "house" had a real job and real problems.
4) One Tree Hill - My newest favorite. Set in North Carolina, it's basically a fantasy land where bad things happen to good people all the time. It's set for it's final season this spring.
5) Full House - Michelle Tanner did for child actors what Hoover did for the vacuum. 'Nuff said.
6) Scooby Doo, Where Are You - I'm very serious about this one. Originally airing on CBS in the early 70's, this gem is found on the cartoon network. Otherworldy ghosts were always discovered to be a character who was introduced earlier in the episode, and nobody - NOBODY - could ever guess who it was. The later stuff with Scooby Dum and Scrappy Doo just didn't hit the mark for me...
7) The original Iron Chef - It gets no better than translation that runs a full 3 seconds behind the actual conversation. Nevertheless, Iron Chefs, like Mosaharu Morimoto turned secret ingredients like Squid Ink in to ice cream in under an hour. Perfection.
8) Road Rules - Almost as good as The Real World, the traveling in this show was probably what lured me into a love for geography. And the dynamics of strangers living in an RV was always interesting. After Road Rules "Semester at Sea", the show became boring. I never, ever saw an episode from Real World "Northwest"...
9) Disney's Adventures of the Gummi Bears - Most memorable for it's theme-song, these guys bounced here and there from Gummi Glen to Drekmore where the awful Ogres could be found. I always wanted Gummiberri Juice, but to no avail. Cartoon classic here...
10) Marty Stouffer's Wild America - Sure, it lost some of it's intrigue when Marty was accused of illegally pursuing many of the animals he filmed. It's also alleged that he staged many of the animal scenes - mostly just by possessing the animals and releasing them on unsuspecting prey. Nevertheless, the chase scenes were incredible to watch. And, frankly, I'd rather learn about America's animals than those in Africa.
Enjoy the day...
Why in the world someone would decide not to employ the use of a television is beyond me. Studies and research prove that the tube can occupy up to 4 consecutive hours of a child's time. Sure, this time could be spent doing homework, but TV is educational on a couple of the 300 channels. The odds alone say there is a 1 chance in 150 that a child will find some great programming. Parents, too, can reap the benefits of the small screen. Tired of family dinners and conversation with your spouse or children? Watch TV and eat dinner, simultaneously. Table setting and clean-up will be another nuisance wiped away by the marvelous television. Experts recommend eating off of paper plates, to eliminate wasted water through dishwashing. All can sit in peace and quiet while Brian Williams or Two Broke Girls remind us of all that is good in the world.
Still, there are those who attempt to villaify the television. Apparently, it can hamper and hinder a child and it's family from participating in a little exercise. That fix is easy....tie a cinder block to the remote. That makes changing the channel a challenge, but only if the remote control is actually lifted with the block. Some say programming is not educational. Are you telling me "The Real World 354" is not good? It's about the REAL WORLD! No, "Dancing With the Stars" is not a show about astronomy, but one could learn the tango and foxtrot!
The Television is the ultimate babysitter. It can entertain children, adults, and even pets, for hours and hours!
Nevertheless, I do watch a lot of television - but only after 9:00 pm and before 7:00 am. I love to catch the news...college football is another great way to relax on Saturdays. I also tivo a lot of items to watch later in the night as I wind down. And yes, many families are reaping the benefits from a reduction or restriction on television viewing. Families are re-introducing themselves to each other at the dinner table. Growing up, supper was the highlight of the day. Sometimes, we'd spend an hour at the table laughing and talking. Or figuring out a way to hide the squash on my dinner plate. Still, the supper table is where I learned about life. I probably didn't learn much, but it's more than I learned from the "Real World".
Anyway, to make a compelling argument for both sides, I have included my Top 10 Television shows of all time:
1) Saved by the Bell - Seems like just a few years ago when this scrubbed-clean teen show told me not to do drugs, drink and drive, or sell my parents home. They don't make 'em like this any more.
2) MacGuyver - There is no cooler show and you know it. Richard Dean Anderson could get out of any house, hole, or hideout with a spoon, breadtie, and saliva.
3) The Real World - Yep, I realize I criticized it above, but it is a classic. It's pure trash, but it has helped to shape what is acceptable. It's probably the Number 1 reason that folks my age are as tolerant as they are. It's had over 600 shows, and it's filmed from houses all over the world - something's working. I just wish it was like the early days, when the "house" had a real job and real problems.
4) One Tree Hill - My newest favorite. Set in North Carolina, it's basically a fantasy land where bad things happen to good people all the time. It's set for it's final season this spring.
5) Full House - Michelle Tanner did for child actors what Hoover did for the vacuum. 'Nuff said.
6) Scooby Doo, Where Are You - I'm very serious about this one. Originally airing on CBS in the early 70's, this gem is found on the cartoon network. Otherworldy ghosts were always discovered to be a character who was introduced earlier in the episode, and nobody - NOBODY - could ever guess who it was. The later stuff with Scooby Dum and Scrappy Doo just didn't hit the mark for me...
7) The original Iron Chef - It gets no better than translation that runs a full 3 seconds behind the actual conversation. Nevertheless, Iron Chefs, like Mosaharu Morimoto turned secret ingredients like Squid Ink in to ice cream in under an hour. Perfection.
8) Road Rules - Almost as good as The Real World, the traveling in this show was probably what lured me into a love for geography. And the dynamics of strangers living in an RV was always interesting. After Road Rules "Semester at Sea", the show became boring. I never, ever saw an episode from Real World "Northwest"...
9) Disney's Adventures of the Gummi Bears - Most memorable for it's theme-song, these guys bounced here and there from Gummi Glen to Drekmore where the awful Ogres could be found. I always wanted Gummiberri Juice, but to no avail. Cartoon classic here...
10) Marty Stouffer's Wild America - Sure, it lost some of it's intrigue when Marty was accused of illegally pursuing many of the animals he filmed. It's also alleged that he staged many of the animal scenes - mostly just by possessing the animals and releasing them on unsuspecting prey. Nevertheless, the chase scenes were incredible to watch. And, frankly, I'd rather learn about America's animals than those in Africa.
Enjoy the day...
October 17, 2011
Car vs. Deer
This past weekend saw the Emmaus Women's Walk #94 come and go, UNC get beat by Miami, the North Carolina Eastern Zone Gun Deer season opener, and Auburn, of course, winning in high style over Florida. Any win over the Gators, is a big deal! Nevertheless, the weather was an absolute dream over the weekend, which meant I got to pull out the smoker and heat some good ol' yard bird. The chickens were shared with my new neighbor, Lee, and his scallops were also practically perfect.
The Gun Deer Opener in the eastern part of the state familiarizes the ears with two sounds...baying and barking hounds and gun shots. Deer season in North Carolina generally runs from mid-September through January 1. The first month (mid-September through mid-October) is allotted for bowhunters, while the gun opener opens, as mentioned earlier, in mid-October. I grew up deer hunting in Alabama - there's little else to pursue down there - but have since relegated the sport to "things you do when you have nothing else to do and you want to fill your freezer with real-deal local food". However, I have plenty of friends to fill that void for me, so I can spend my weekends in early fall painting and rigging decoys, ironing my camouflage, and replacing spark plugs.
Back to deer hunting...dog hunting is very traditional in these "here-parts". Most places in America frown upon the dog-boxed truck...still it survives, if not thrives here. The primary argument against dog hunting falls on the inability of the pooches' abilities to read and understand property boundaries. Here in eastern North Carolina, where farms easily occupy a couple of thousand acres, the worries of a wayward pack are slim. In more populated areas around the sea breeze, though, hunting deer with dogs has taken on a negative connotation. I watched this same scenario transpire in Alabama. Not having a preference either way, it might be wise for hunters using dogs to wisely manage their pack. Keep them close and well-fed and all should be good. Don't clog up our rural by-ways in a creep or crawl pace tracking your dogs, either. Us eastern travelers need to get to the Food Lion, before she shuts down at sundown. Lots of misconceptions abound about owners and their dogs. First of all, these dogs are extremely well-cared for...most get great high protein diets and plenty of exercise. They also sport their own septic tanks within their kennels, too! Almost all hunting dogs make good family pets, too!
Nevertheless, as human and deer populations both grow larger, wise management of our deer heard is needed to prevent animal illness, population explosion and starvation, and the very worst - wildlife and vehicle collisions. This time of year, motorists should be especially weary...deer are in the middle of their "rut", or breeding season. Only this morning did I spot a nice buck standing in the middle of the road with his snout to the ground in hot pursuit of a doe. After slowing to a halt, the normally cautious buck appeared reckless and careless. I rolled down the window to converse with him through snorts...apparently I made him mad,as he turned toward my Jeep and acted as if he would attempt to back me down. Needless to say, I quit snorting and honked my horn. That's when his girlfriend appeared and he sauntered off. Bucks can be dangerous animals when attempting to find a receptive doe. Annually, it's estimated that over 100 vehicles are charged - not collided with - by angry bucks. Just as many hikers and gardeners are charged, too. Nevertheless, deer are crepuscular animals - which means they move most and sunrise and sunset. And the larger bucks are almost completely nocturnal...so if your headlights are on, use extreme caution in rural areas. Still, throughout the rut, bucks are so reckless, that they will move throughout the daylight hours...doing whatever it takes to find a receptive doe! The fall months are obviously when deer encounters rise. Always be careful when in a car...I, too, have struck a deer. I have come close several times, too. The complication of police reports, insurance claims, and body shop debacles are only minor compared to the reckless destruction of one North Carolina's greatest game animals and conservation success stories. And black bears...don't even get me started...
Enjoy the day...
The Gun Deer Opener in the eastern part of the state familiarizes the ears with two sounds...baying and barking hounds and gun shots. Deer season in North Carolina generally runs from mid-September through January 1. The first month (mid-September through mid-October) is allotted for bowhunters, while the gun opener opens, as mentioned earlier, in mid-October. I grew up deer hunting in Alabama - there's little else to pursue down there - but have since relegated the sport to "things you do when you have nothing else to do and you want to fill your freezer with real-deal local food". However, I have plenty of friends to fill that void for me, so I can spend my weekends in early fall painting and rigging decoys, ironing my camouflage, and replacing spark plugs.
Back to deer hunting...dog hunting is very traditional in these "here-parts". Most places in America frown upon the dog-boxed truck...still it survives, if not thrives here. The primary argument against dog hunting falls on the inability of the pooches' abilities to read and understand property boundaries. Here in eastern North Carolina, where farms easily occupy a couple of thousand acres, the worries of a wayward pack are slim. In more populated areas around the sea breeze, though, hunting deer with dogs has taken on a negative connotation. I watched this same scenario transpire in Alabama. Not having a preference either way, it might be wise for hunters using dogs to wisely manage their pack. Keep them close and well-fed and all should be good. Don't clog up our rural by-ways in a creep or crawl pace tracking your dogs, either. Us eastern travelers need to get to the Food Lion, before she shuts down at sundown. Lots of misconceptions abound about owners and their dogs. First of all, these dogs are extremely well-cared for...most get great high protein diets and plenty of exercise. They also sport their own septic tanks within their kennels, too! Almost all hunting dogs make good family pets, too!
Nevertheless, as human and deer populations both grow larger, wise management of our deer heard is needed to prevent animal illness, population explosion and starvation, and the very worst - wildlife and vehicle collisions. This time of year, motorists should be especially weary...deer are in the middle of their "rut", or breeding season. Only this morning did I spot a nice buck standing in the middle of the road with his snout to the ground in hot pursuit of a doe. After slowing to a halt, the normally cautious buck appeared reckless and careless. I rolled down the window to converse with him through snorts...apparently I made him mad,as he turned toward my Jeep and acted as if he would attempt to back me down. Needless to say, I quit snorting and honked my horn. That's when his girlfriend appeared and he sauntered off. Bucks can be dangerous animals when attempting to find a receptive doe. Annually, it's estimated that over 100 vehicles are charged - not collided with - by angry bucks. Just as many hikers and gardeners are charged, too. Nevertheless, deer are crepuscular animals - which means they move most and sunrise and sunset. And the larger bucks are almost completely nocturnal...so if your headlights are on, use extreme caution in rural areas. Still, throughout the rut, bucks are so reckless, that they will move throughout the daylight hours...doing whatever it takes to find a receptive doe! The fall months are obviously when deer encounters rise. Always be careful when in a car...I, too, have struck a deer. I have come close several times, too. The complication of police reports, insurance claims, and body shop debacles are only minor compared to the reckless destruction of one North Carolina's greatest game animals and conservation success stories. And black bears...don't even get me started...
Enjoy the day...
October 13, 2011
The Common Cold
I enjoy being sick about as much as you do. The common cold is the absolute worst. There is nothing common about the common cold, either. Every cold is different from one person to the next, and from each cold within one person. The common cold generally affects me for about 4 days. Day one is a sore throat, Day 2 is a day where symptoms seemingly disappear, Day 3 is when I am shushed out of the office from sniffling, snorting, & sneezing, Day 4 is the drying out day, and Day 5 - generally - is the day that all is well again. So, how do I handle my cold? As if you'd like to know...
Step 1 (months and weeks leading up to the cold): People say that the only thing in life that are guaranteed are death and taxes...I would argue that the common cold should be added to the application for those accepting to live on Earth. We all know that the cold is coming, so how do we get ready for it? I like to always keep the cold in the back of my mind...expecting it. Exercising often really works, especially if it's cardio type stuff. I like to keep my energy balanced (think input {food and calories} + output {exercise and calories burned}). that way I don't have enough energy to fuel a cold, but my body isn't weak enough to welcome one right it. Also, I like to eat lots of fiber and protein. Beans and fruits have vitamin C, which many suggest combat the cold.
Step 2 (The sore throat begins): Sometimes, an oral analgesic can help to soothe or flat out eliminate the cold. Always read the directions on medication, though! I like to get the grape flavored and spray down my neck as directed. Generally, it is useless at anything other than eliminating the annoying scratchy throat for about 30 seconds. For my body, I get the best results by eating whatever I want beginning with the onset of the sore throat. I'll continue this trend until the cold passes. Also - hot coffee early in the morning and nice hot showers are also conventional fixes for MY cold.
Step 3 (The calm before the storm): I know it's coming. I continue to eat and drink hot "dranks". Also, I'll try and steer clear of salty items, since they tend to dehydrate me.
Step 4 (Disgusting symptoms): It's here and there's nothing I can do. I try to get plenty of sleep without taking any medication. Medication is for when it gets really bad. A runny nose and a 2 hourly cough are not bad. I try to eat foods that taste bad, since I really can't taste anything at all. Canned tuna is something I eat daily. I hate it sooo much. Nevertheless, I get to "enjoy" it with a cold. I'll also drink about 2 gallons of water throughout the day, along with lots of yogurt and fruit. At the end of the day, I go to sleep early and try to sleep later the next day. I still try to get plenty of exercise throughout the day, too. And chewing lots of gum also keeps the nose clear, too!
Step 5 (Getting Better): After a good night's rest, generally I can wake up fairly symptom free. I might sneeze a bit or have a light cough, but I'm relatively unstuffed. Traditionally, I'll pull a muscle in my neck when I reach around to pat myself on the back for getting over the cold so rapidly. Other than that, I can return to hating tuna.
Step 6 (Getting ready for the next cold): See Step 1.
Tomorrow should be a clearing up day. A lot of it depends on the weather, though. Dry days allow you to get well quicker. It's supposed to dry out around here on Saturday. Still, the tropical conditions that were supposed to persist have for the most part, stayed away from our soundfront locale. We have had less than a .10 of an inch of rain, while neighbors as close as 30 miles away might have received 1.5 inches. But that's Momma Nature for you...
Enjoy the day...
Step 1 (months and weeks leading up to the cold): People say that the only thing in life that are guaranteed are death and taxes...I would argue that the common cold should be added to the application for those accepting to live on Earth. We all know that the cold is coming, so how do we get ready for it? I like to always keep the cold in the back of my mind...expecting it. Exercising often really works, especially if it's cardio type stuff. I like to keep my energy balanced (think input {food and calories} + output {exercise and calories burned}). that way I don't have enough energy to fuel a cold, but my body isn't weak enough to welcome one right it. Also, I like to eat lots of fiber and protein. Beans and fruits have vitamin C, which many suggest combat the cold.
Step 2 (The sore throat begins): Sometimes, an oral analgesic can help to soothe or flat out eliminate the cold. Always read the directions on medication, though! I like to get the grape flavored and spray down my neck as directed. Generally, it is useless at anything other than eliminating the annoying scratchy throat for about 30 seconds. For my body, I get the best results by eating whatever I want beginning with the onset of the sore throat. I'll continue this trend until the cold passes. Also - hot coffee early in the morning and nice hot showers are also conventional fixes for MY cold.
Step 3 (The calm before the storm): I know it's coming. I continue to eat and drink hot "dranks". Also, I'll try and steer clear of salty items, since they tend to dehydrate me.
Step 4 (Disgusting symptoms): It's here and there's nothing I can do. I try to get plenty of sleep without taking any medication. Medication is for when it gets really bad. A runny nose and a 2 hourly cough are not bad. I try to eat foods that taste bad, since I really can't taste anything at all. Canned tuna is something I eat daily. I hate it sooo much. Nevertheless, I get to "enjoy" it with a cold. I'll also drink about 2 gallons of water throughout the day, along with lots of yogurt and fruit. At the end of the day, I go to sleep early and try to sleep later the next day. I still try to get plenty of exercise throughout the day, too. And chewing lots of gum also keeps the nose clear, too!
Step 5 (Getting Better): After a good night's rest, generally I can wake up fairly symptom free. I might sneeze a bit or have a light cough, but I'm relatively unstuffed. Traditionally, I'll pull a muscle in my neck when I reach around to pat myself on the back for getting over the cold so rapidly. Other than that, I can return to hating tuna.
Step 6 (Getting ready for the next cold): See Step 1.
Tomorrow should be a clearing up day. A lot of it depends on the weather, though. Dry days allow you to get well quicker. It's supposed to dry out around here on Saturday. Still, the tropical conditions that were supposed to persist have for the most part, stayed away from our soundfront locale. We have had less than a .10 of an inch of rain, while neighbors as close as 30 miles away might have received 1.5 inches. But that's Momma Nature for you...
Enjoy the day...
October 11, 2011
Golf Strategies
Good day all. Today, the Carolina's will be splattered with additional rain, which we don't need. Why couldn't it rain this summer when all the row croppers needed it? Instead, it rains now, when they need to get the implements in the field. Mother Nature - Thanks but no thanks.
Nevertheless, Lee and I will take place in a charity golf event today. Lee is easily the luckiest golfer in the world. And he continues to get better. I, on the other hand, am totally average. Today, the rain will probably even out the field, which would be to our advantage. As I depart today, I fully expect to win the tournament, but our team has a "ringer" which should amplify our chances. Personally, I am a fair golfer, compared to the rest of the world, but only 1% of the worlds population have ever picked up a 9 iron. Still, that places me in the top 1% of the globe's golfers...a position of which I am proud to hold. The keys to my success are trying to keep my head down, and making sure I'm not too close to golf ball after I have hit it. If I had a strength, I would say it would be my short iron game, but playing within 100 yards was something I did at my parent's house while growing up...I only hit one car, of which I apologized for, and only struck the house 7-8 times, which had gone undetected until the moment my parents read this blog.
Despite playing from the yard, I also spent a lot of time golfing with my dad. For years and years he watched me hit a few good shots, then come completely unglued after a bad shot. Tossing clubs was tacky, and he told me that each time I went to pick one up. Crying, also, was not good. In the past 7 or 8 years I have played so sparingly, that I have learned to enjoy the game, and it has also allowed me to shoot lower scores, regularly breaking 90 on public courses...and never breaking down.
So how do you know when you see a good golfer? I have seen some really good ones and some really bad ones, so here's how I know...and you can spot them, too.
If a golfer has a 1 iron in their bag, you can assume that it has never been used. There's a saying in golf that even "God can't hit a 1 iron." I wouldn't know about any deity's golf game, but if I did encounter them, I'd let them play through. Nevertheless, a good golfer would not have a club in the bag that they could not hit.
How many golf balls does your compadre store in his or her bag? If the answer is more than 10, odds are that after each round, they'll be down to one before the 18th green is putted out. To me, a successful round of golf is measured by a score below 90, and by using only 1 golf ball. That means the golfer stayed in bounds and out of the water...and it's tough to do.
Does your golfing friend have a dirty golf bag? If they are good golfer's then they do...golf bags get dirty from walking courses and laying the bag down...often.
Are there two putter's in your partner's bag? Bad golfer's keep two putters available. Good golfer's keep all of their extra putters at home in an effort to hide their insecurities about putting. All golfers hate putting.
And finally, does your playing pal have one of those gimmicky bristle-top tees? If they do and you don't, you should be playing against them for high stakes sandwiches and pennies. The same goes for those exceptionally long wooden tees, too. They neither traditional, nor serious.
There you go...use those identifiers to differentiate between the gospel golfers and the goofy golfers.
Enjoy the day...
Nevertheless, Lee and I will take place in a charity golf event today. Lee is easily the luckiest golfer in the world. And he continues to get better. I, on the other hand, am totally average. Today, the rain will probably even out the field, which would be to our advantage. As I depart today, I fully expect to win the tournament, but our team has a "ringer" which should amplify our chances. Personally, I am a fair golfer, compared to the rest of the world, but only 1% of the worlds population have ever picked up a 9 iron. Still, that places me in the top 1% of the globe's golfers...a position of which I am proud to hold. The keys to my success are trying to keep my head down, and making sure I'm not too close to golf ball after I have hit it. If I had a strength, I would say it would be my short iron game, but playing within 100 yards was something I did at my parent's house while growing up...I only hit one car, of which I apologized for, and only struck the house 7-8 times, which had gone undetected until the moment my parents read this blog.
Despite playing from the yard, I also spent a lot of time golfing with my dad. For years and years he watched me hit a few good shots, then come completely unglued after a bad shot. Tossing clubs was tacky, and he told me that each time I went to pick one up. Crying, also, was not good. In the past 7 or 8 years I have played so sparingly, that I have learned to enjoy the game, and it has also allowed me to shoot lower scores, regularly breaking 90 on public courses...and never breaking down.
So how do you know when you see a good golfer? I have seen some really good ones and some really bad ones, so here's how I know...and you can spot them, too.
If a golfer has a 1 iron in their bag, you can assume that it has never been used. There's a saying in golf that even "God can't hit a 1 iron." I wouldn't know about any deity's golf game, but if I did encounter them, I'd let them play through. Nevertheless, a good golfer would not have a club in the bag that they could not hit.
How many golf balls does your compadre store in his or her bag? If the answer is more than 10, odds are that after each round, they'll be down to one before the 18th green is putted out. To me, a successful round of golf is measured by a score below 90, and by using only 1 golf ball. That means the golfer stayed in bounds and out of the water...and it's tough to do.
Does your golfing friend have a dirty golf bag? If they are good golfer's then they do...golf bags get dirty from walking courses and laying the bag down...often.
Are there two putter's in your partner's bag? Bad golfer's keep two putters available. Good golfer's keep all of their extra putters at home in an effort to hide their insecurities about putting. All golfers hate putting.
And finally, does your playing pal have one of those gimmicky bristle-top tees? If they do and you don't, you should be playing against them for high stakes sandwiches and pennies. The same goes for those exceptionally long wooden tees, too. They neither traditional, nor serious.
There you go...use those identifiers to differentiate between the gospel golfers and the goofy golfers.
Enjoy the day...
October 10, 2011
Mr. and Ms. Sova
Well, the most recent weekend here in eastern North Carolina was a wedding wipeout. Weddings at virtually every place that would take a reservation were conducted. The Center itself, played host to one, too. However Chris Sova and his new bride were married Saturday in Belvidere, North Carolina at the Onley Place...and it was great. Everything from the buffet to the bride were beautiful, and even the groom looked better than normal! As a member of the wedding party, my time was spent posing for pictures, getting in line first for the food, and offering a toast to the new couple. I even had the responsibility of not losing the ring, which I held up admirably. Sara Biggs is now Sara Sova, and Chris Sova is now a pretty lucky dude.
What makes their union so special is that the two of them met while working as Camp counselors atthe Eastern 4-H Center. I was in the remarkable position of knowing each of them before they ever knew of each other, and well before Chris could properly pronounce Tyrrell County. Apparently, the wedding was coming almost too late for Chris who said that he could have married Sara many months ago. Even a Court House wedding would have suited him, but I'm glad he waited. Otherwise I would not have enjoyed what might have been the greatest rehearsal and reception meals of my illustrious groomsman career. Friday night Montero's of Elizabeth City pulled out the good chicken and beef loins and cooked them like I never could have. I ate the share of myself and my date. Saturday night's collards, eastern style barbecue, and fried chicken were phenomenal but fell well short of the most immaculate pie I have ever ate too many pieces of...Magnolia Pie. Lips were sealed on the recipe, but I'm certain I can track it down.
Nevertheless, the two of them were great counselors while here. They have an incredible gift with not only children, but all people. Too kind to care, Chris has always been a wonderful friend of mine, despite the silliness I can conjure on a waterfowl hunt. I wish them both the very best...
The upcoming week at the Center will be busy, especially next weekend with the Emmaus Walk. Our Community Fun Day is scheduled for October 29, and rumor has it that it will be the bggest and boldest yet. As more details emerge, I'll post them here...
Enjoy the day...
What makes their union so special is that the two of them met while working as Camp counselors atthe Eastern 4-H Center. I was in the remarkable position of knowing each of them before they ever knew of each other, and well before Chris could properly pronounce Tyrrell County. Apparently, the wedding was coming almost too late for Chris who said that he could have married Sara many months ago. Even a Court House wedding would have suited him, but I'm glad he waited. Otherwise I would not have enjoyed what might have been the greatest rehearsal and reception meals of my illustrious groomsman career. Friday night Montero's of Elizabeth City pulled out the good chicken and beef loins and cooked them like I never could have. I ate the share of myself and my date. Saturday night's collards, eastern style barbecue, and fried chicken were phenomenal but fell well short of the most immaculate pie I have ever ate too many pieces of...Magnolia Pie. Lips were sealed on the recipe, but I'm certain I can track it down.
Nevertheless, the two of them were great counselors while here. They have an incredible gift with not only children, but all people. Too kind to care, Chris has always been a wonderful friend of mine, despite the silliness I can conjure on a waterfowl hunt. I wish them both the very best...
The upcoming week at the Center will be busy, especially next weekend with the Emmaus Walk. Our Community Fun Day is scheduled for October 29, and rumor has it that it will be the bggest and boldest yet. As more details emerge, I'll post them here...
Enjoy the day...
October 3, 2011
The Cool Snap
Welcome to Fall. We, and it, have arrived. It's my favorite time of year - the mornings are nice and crisp and the days are comfortable. Even the wildlife enjoy this time of year. Torch-hot days mean that animals can actually walk around in the daylight hours, should they choose to do so. Reptiles and amphibians burrow into the warm, awful smelling mud, only to erupt around noon in search of drowsy insects. Birds, too, fly around looking for food, friends, and reclusive resting spots. People, however, create festivals.
If the fall foliage fails to suit you, if the phenomenal fishing falls behind yard-work, then you, my reader, are lost. Still, even you, the morbidly refuter, would enjoy the festivals that befall Fall. I'm not sure where the tradition started, but I like it. The North Carolina Seafood Festival, The Chowan County Fair, the North Carolina State Fair, the Collard Green Festival, and many, many more transpire virtually every weekend from late August right up to Christmas. The Scuppernong River Festival, Columbia's very own version of a festival, will have us all searching for parking, paddles, and popcorn come Saturday. The Eastern 4-H Center will be represented with canoe and kayak clinic in front of the Walter B. Jones Visitor Center. I think there's also a firework show, too. Still, the parade, complete with four-wheelers and motorcycles will strafe the downtown thoroughfare, passing out pre-packaged candy to the kids and to the adults who need to quit acting like kids. The weather should be impeccable for the entire occasion.
A small town parade though is something to behold. Absent are the cartoon character uber-floats. What you will find , though, is a linear display of Columbia's varsity athletic teams (cheer squads included), several tractors, a couple of fire trucks, a giant pirate ship on wheels, ATV's (which become street legal for parades, apparently), and a convertible or two bearing the local politicians and their smiles. And of course, 4-H will have a presence, too. Either way, I also grew up in the cradle of small town parades in Alabama's Rough Country. Our Rockford parade was slightly bigger, only because Rockford's Main Street was four lanes. But the participants were all identical. Blaring sirens, costumed walkers, high school bands, and tractors serenaded our locals in the same fashion. It sure beat the heck out of the New York City parade that appears on television every Thanksgiving Thursday...it was OUR parade.
Still, the cool weather creates a lot of mental confusion...since April, we have all dreamed of cool bed sheets. Last night, cool-turned-cold linens were not so great anymore. There's nothing more comforting than snuggling into the fetal position to warm the bed and body...but toes are an unwarmable object. Sleeping with socks does no better. I could have let the windows up, but that would have been heresy. Perfect weather like this only happens about 10 days a year...so I'll keep trying to enjoy it as warmly as I can...
Enjoy the day...
If the fall foliage fails to suit you, if the phenomenal fishing falls behind yard-work, then you, my reader, are lost. Still, even you, the morbidly refuter, would enjoy the festivals that befall Fall. I'm not sure where the tradition started, but I like it. The North Carolina Seafood Festival, The Chowan County Fair, the North Carolina State Fair, the Collard Green Festival, and many, many more transpire virtually every weekend from late August right up to Christmas. The Scuppernong River Festival, Columbia's very own version of a festival, will have us all searching for parking, paddles, and popcorn come Saturday. The Eastern 4-H Center will be represented with canoe and kayak clinic in front of the Walter B. Jones Visitor Center. I think there's also a firework show, too. Still, the parade, complete with four-wheelers and motorcycles will strafe the downtown thoroughfare, passing out pre-packaged candy to the kids and to the adults who need to quit acting like kids. The weather should be impeccable for the entire occasion.
A small town parade though is something to behold. Absent are the cartoon character uber-floats. What you will find , though, is a linear display of Columbia's varsity athletic teams (cheer squads included), several tractors, a couple of fire trucks, a giant pirate ship on wheels, ATV's (which become street legal for parades, apparently), and a convertible or two bearing the local politicians and their smiles. And of course, 4-H will have a presence, too. Either way, I also grew up in the cradle of small town parades in Alabama's Rough Country. Our Rockford parade was slightly bigger, only because Rockford's Main Street was four lanes. But the participants were all identical. Blaring sirens, costumed walkers, high school bands, and tractors serenaded our locals in the same fashion. It sure beat the heck out of the New York City parade that appears on television every Thanksgiving Thursday...it was OUR parade.
Still, the cool weather creates a lot of mental confusion...since April, we have all dreamed of cool bed sheets. Last night, cool-turned-cold linens were not so great anymore. There's nothing more comforting than snuggling into the fetal position to warm the bed and body...but toes are an unwarmable object. Sleeping with socks does no better. I could have let the windows up, but that would have been heresy. Perfect weather like this only happens about 10 days a year...so I'll keep trying to enjoy it as warmly as I can...
Enjoy the day...
September 26, 2011
Reigning Outside
The rain we have received in recent days is probably equal to what Hurricane Irene brought, but it just hasn't come in two days...instead it's been 7 days of hazy, lazy drizzle, which as many of you know is terrible for the hairdo. Not that it matters to me, but the ladies in the office have doubled the hairspray.
The past couple of weeks have been busy, with NC L.I.N.C., Haw Branch Soul Sister Retreat, Ongoing Tyrrell Middle School, and Wilson Chamber of Commerce Dynamic Leadership. None of which were spared by the rain.
The Wilson Retreat, which features about 12 hours of teambuilding was mostly done indoors, until we ventured out in the inch deep standing water to do some elements on the Challenge Course...the brave souls enjoyed All Aboard and the Whale Watch, despite the thick drizzle and even thicker mosquitoes. Do mosquitoes ever disappear? Mosquitoes generally make their first appearance in April and subside the following March. There is no respite. Either way, High Ropes with Wilson was pretty spectacular, and the mosquitoes don't fly 35 feet into the air where the participants spent the morning. Mosquitoes also can't follow anyone down the zipline, where participants can reach 40 miles per hour...
The Haw Branch Soul Sisters visited over the weekend...we led them through teambuilding, archery, and rock climbing while it rained non-stop. We had to make some programmatic adjustments to accommodate on account of the weather, but it was still fun. We even got to use the "indoor" climbing wall, which is under the roof of the climbing wall, on the interior grotto. I can't explain it much better than that, but it's worth a look if you're interested.
In general life and football news, Auburn pulled out a victory this weekend, while East Carolina defeated UAB. Alabama also beat Arkansas, while the LSU Tigers became the # 1 team in the Associated Press Poll. I'm headed to Columbia, South Carolina this weekend to see Auburn and the University of South Carolina play. It should be fun!
Early Teal and Resident Goose hunting seasons expire this week. I haven't pursued much fowl, but did get into the geese and saw only a few teal. North Carolina's early duck season comes in on October 5, and the Gun Deer comes in on October 15. With the opening of these seasons, Tyrrell County will begin to fill with non-resident hunters who come to experience the remoteness and abundance of this county's wild game.
Enjoy the day...
The past couple of weeks have been busy, with NC L.I.N.C., Haw Branch Soul Sister Retreat, Ongoing Tyrrell Middle School, and Wilson Chamber of Commerce Dynamic Leadership. None of which were spared by the rain.
The Wilson Retreat, which features about 12 hours of teambuilding was mostly done indoors, until we ventured out in the inch deep standing water to do some elements on the Challenge Course...the brave souls enjoyed All Aboard and the Whale Watch, despite the thick drizzle and even thicker mosquitoes. Do mosquitoes ever disappear? Mosquitoes generally make their first appearance in April and subside the following March. There is no respite. Either way, High Ropes with Wilson was pretty spectacular, and the mosquitoes don't fly 35 feet into the air where the participants spent the morning. Mosquitoes also can't follow anyone down the zipline, where participants can reach 40 miles per hour...
The Haw Branch Soul Sisters visited over the weekend...we led them through teambuilding, archery, and rock climbing while it rained non-stop. We had to make some programmatic adjustments to accommodate on account of the weather, but it was still fun. We even got to use the "indoor" climbing wall, which is under the roof of the climbing wall, on the interior grotto. I can't explain it much better than that, but it's worth a look if you're interested.
In general life and football news, Auburn pulled out a victory this weekend, while East Carolina defeated UAB. Alabama also beat Arkansas, while the LSU Tigers became the # 1 team in the Associated Press Poll. I'm headed to Columbia, South Carolina this weekend to see Auburn and the University of South Carolina play. It should be fun!
Early Teal and Resident Goose hunting seasons expire this week. I haven't pursued much fowl, but did get into the geese and saw only a few teal. North Carolina's early duck season comes in on October 5, and the Gun Deer comes in on October 15. With the opening of these seasons, Tyrrell County will begin to fill with non-resident hunters who come to experience the remoteness and abundance of this county's wild game.
Enjoy the day...
September 15, 2011
Teal Season
According to the weathermen and weatherwomen of Eastern North Carolina's newscasts, today should be out last day of 90 degree weather...and we all know, that those folks only report the most accurate facts. Either way, the month of September ushers in early hunting seasons for North Carolina's sportsmen. The weather is perfect for doves and teal, both of which are migratory game birds that pass right through our coastal communities and sounds.
Teal are a type of duck...they are also America's smallest dabbling ducks....dabbling ducks, unlike diving ducks, feed in foot deep water on plants and seeds. Teal are divided into three differens species...there's the Green-winged teal (a hardy little puddle duck that can withstand the late winter temperatures and is a late migrator), the Cinnamon teal (probably the most beautiful duck in all the world, but an early migrant), and the Blue-winged teal (America's second most abundant duck, behind the mallard, and the earliest of all migrators).
Scientists and researchers eventually discovered that not all species of ducks migrate at the same time. Some, like the Blue-winged teal (BWT hereafter) migrate from their nesting grounds in Canada and the Dakotas as soon as August. For hunters to have a chance at these speedy, tasty, and very abundant ducks, state game commissions created the early teal season, which generally falls in early-September. No other ducks may be harvested, either. It's a great chance to practice shooting and identification skills. But, it's not always that easy. BWT's are tiny for ducks...about the size of a fat cardinal. They also fly at about 40 miles per hour and in the most zig-zaggery of fashions. They commit easily to meager decoy spreads of 10-20 fakes. But they also leave them as quick as they arrive. What complicates teal hunting even more, is that they are "first flight" birds. They fly right at legal shooting light, then no more. Additionally, they are literally here one day, and gone the next. yo uhave to get lucky just to spy them in flight anywhere.
With a continental population of approximately 6 million BWT, many northern hunters will still never see them. I have never bagged one, but I've seen a friend bag one. I've seen less than a thousand in my illustrious career as a waterfowler. Either way, I still try to go and catch teal several times each September...I have harvested early green-winged teal, but not many. Still, I'll have lots of fun swatting the copious amounts of mosquitoes. The pint of blood I'll need after the mosquitoes have fed on me will be tucked gently into the corner of my ammunition bag. Ditto for the spf 50. I don't have alligator repellent, so I'll have the space. Still, it's worth every waterfowler and birder's effort to go out in September, along the coastal marshes to see these tiny, beautiful ducks, that most will never see...for those wanting to pursue these ducks...scout shallow marshes with lots of food. The daily bag limit is 4...
Here are some pictures of the 3 different types of teal...
Green-Winged Teal
Blue-Winged Teal
Cinnamon Teal
Enjoy the day...
Teal are a type of duck...they are also America's smallest dabbling ducks....dabbling ducks, unlike diving ducks, feed in foot deep water on plants and seeds. Teal are divided into three differens species...there's the Green-winged teal (a hardy little puddle duck that can withstand the late winter temperatures and is a late migrator), the Cinnamon teal (probably the most beautiful duck in all the world, but an early migrant), and the Blue-winged teal (America's second most abundant duck, behind the mallard, and the earliest of all migrators).
Scientists and researchers eventually discovered that not all species of ducks migrate at the same time. Some, like the Blue-winged teal (BWT hereafter) migrate from their nesting grounds in Canada and the Dakotas as soon as August. For hunters to have a chance at these speedy, tasty, and very abundant ducks, state game commissions created the early teal season, which generally falls in early-September. No other ducks may be harvested, either. It's a great chance to practice shooting and identification skills. But, it's not always that easy. BWT's are tiny for ducks...about the size of a fat cardinal. They also fly at about 40 miles per hour and in the most zig-zaggery of fashions. They commit easily to meager decoy spreads of 10-20 fakes. But they also leave them as quick as they arrive. What complicates teal hunting even more, is that they are "first flight" birds. They fly right at legal shooting light, then no more. Additionally, they are literally here one day, and gone the next. yo uhave to get lucky just to spy them in flight anywhere.
With a continental population of approximately 6 million BWT, many northern hunters will still never see them. I have never bagged one, but I've seen a friend bag one. I've seen less than a thousand in my illustrious career as a waterfowler. Either way, I still try to go and catch teal several times each September...I have harvested early green-winged teal, but not many. Still, I'll have lots of fun swatting the copious amounts of mosquitoes. The pint of blood I'll need after the mosquitoes have fed on me will be tucked gently into the corner of my ammunition bag. Ditto for the spf 50. I don't have alligator repellent, so I'll have the space. Still, it's worth every waterfowler and birder's effort to go out in September, along the coastal marshes to see these tiny, beautiful ducks, that most will never see...for those wanting to pursue these ducks...scout shallow marshes with lots of food. The daily bag limit is 4...
Here are some pictures of the 3 different types of teal...
Green-Winged Teal
Blue-Winged Teal
Cinnamon Teal
Enjoy the day...
September 14, 2011
A Columbia Icon
Let's face it, Columbia, North Carolina is about as famous as, well, Creswell, North Carolina. Famous, to many of us has a positive connotation that means likable, good, and happy. Columbia is all of the above, but it's still not famous. Within Columbia, there are likable landmarks, people, and places...all things that make the town so favored by it's residents and so intriguing to the literal millions that strafe through on the major highway. Columbia and it's waterways have long been known as a fisherman's paradise. Some people believe it's a great place to come and see sunsets. And some people like the downtown galleries that are only discovered with a little vacationing gumption. But to me, there is one true symbol that epitomizes the town and it's people.
Mr. Bobby, as he is commonly called, is one of a couple of town barbers. Mr. Bobby is older than most of us will ever live to enjoy. Either way, he's still hard at it, in his shop downtown. It's where I get my hair cuts. For the longest time, I avoided getting my hair cut at a traditional barber shop. I guess I thought the treatment of a salon was what I merited most. Either way, becoming a Columbian rubbed of on me. Sensible, practical, and comfortable is how most people would describe me, and it's how I often describe the good people of this area. They do what it takes to get it done, and they do it at their pace, which is somewhere around a speed of "just right"...not too fast or too slow. And that's why Mr. Bobby is as much a part of this community as he is a representative of it.
Main Street in downtown Columbia is marked by tiny concrete buildings. There's an art gallery, a couple of restaurants, a drug store, a non-profit, and a few skeletons of commerce's past. It's an easy place to navigate. There's always someone walking in downtown, and they are headed somewhere. Mr. Bobby's shop is on the west end of Main Street, just outside of casting distance to the Scuppernong River...the same river that only weeks ago shoved two feet of water through his door and up his wall. So what...he cut my hair two days later. His shop is incredibly non-descript, but everyone knows where it is...parking near the barber shop is tough, though. Still, the other slots up and down Main Street can serve you, if you can serve yourself to walk. Rarely have I gone in for a cut, when Idid not have to wait a bit. But part of that is due to Mr. Bobby's deliberate nature. It's also a place for other men to congregate and carry on, whether or not they will be getting a haircut. More times than not, it's only familiar faces within the walls of the shop. I've been here 5 years, and that's only a minute to a lot of these people. Still, I listen contently to the stories and gossip. Or Rush Limbaugh. While I'm sitting on the red wooden bench that holds the graying customers, I usually occupy myself with a day-old copy of the Raleigh paper. I'm glad that some people still keep quarters and know how to use them!
Nevertheless, while I read the paper, I'll find myself surrounded by relics of yesteryear. Mind you, this place has no decorum. It's a building whose purpose is one. Either way, I'll admire the bottles of hair tonic, which are for sale. There's also a strop hanging on the wall and it hordes dust. Nobody ever asks for a straight blade shave, anymore. I'd like to have just one in my life. There a pictures on the wall of Mr. Bobby's friends and family. Most of which live nearby. There's even a poster which showcases the bust of all of our American Presidents, the newest being Ronald Reagan. It's not a timeless place, but it is a place to pass the time. It's a building built for utility.
After waiting for a bit, I usually just step up, then plop down into the barber's chair. Oddly enough, hair cut recipients don't face the wall-sized mirror. In fact, you face the patient waiters. You can enjoy the conversation without having to stare at yourself. When he asks how I'd like my haircut, I tell him simply. The first time, I tried to raise my voice, because I thought he might not hear me. He whispered back and said "I can do that." My first few cuts were the traditional crew cuts that he doled out while in the military. Each one was perfect and precise. Since then, he has offered to me that women like hair on the "full" side. Now he just trims it.
There's a tremendous gap between Bobby and I. Obviously, our age difference is grand. He's a member of America's Greatest Generation. I know hard work, but all he knows is hard work. He's polite and sincere as if it is the only option, and sometimes, I can be either or neither. Either way, after I pay the grand total sum of $5 for my haircut, I feel a little closer to him and Columbia. And as Bobby would say, I feel "a little lighter", too.
Enjoy the day...
Mr. Bobby, as he is commonly called, is one of a couple of town barbers. Mr. Bobby is older than most of us will ever live to enjoy. Either way, he's still hard at it, in his shop downtown. It's where I get my hair cuts. For the longest time, I avoided getting my hair cut at a traditional barber shop. I guess I thought the treatment of a salon was what I merited most. Either way, becoming a Columbian rubbed of on me. Sensible, practical, and comfortable is how most people would describe me, and it's how I often describe the good people of this area. They do what it takes to get it done, and they do it at their pace, which is somewhere around a speed of "just right"...not too fast or too slow. And that's why Mr. Bobby is as much a part of this community as he is a representative of it.
Main Street in downtown Columbia is marked by tiny concrete buildings. There's an art gallery, a couple of restaurants, a drug store, a non-profit, and a few skeletons of commerce's past. It's an easy place to navigate. There's always someone walking in downtown, and they are headed somewhere. Mr. Bobby's shop is on the west end of Main Street, just outside of casting distance to the Scuppernong River...the same river that only weeks ago shoved two feet of water through his door and up his wall. So what...he cut my hair two days later. His shop is incredibly non-descript, but everyone knows where it is...parking near the barber shop is tough, though. Still, the other slots up and down Main Street can serve you, if you can serve yourself to walk. Rarely have I gone in for a cut, when Idid not have to wait a bit. But part of that is due to Mr. Bobby's deliberate nature. It's also a place for other men to congregate and carry on, whether or not they will be getting a haircut. More times than not, it's only familiar faces within the walls of the shop. I've been here 5 years, and that's only a minute to a lot of these people. Still, I listen contently to the stories and gossip. Or Rush Limbaugh. While I'm sitting on the red wooden bench that holds the graying customers, I usually occupy myself with a day-old copy of the Raleigh paper. I'm glad that some people still keep quarters and know how to use them!
Nevertheless, while I read the paper, I'll find myself surrounded by relics of yesteryear. Mind you, this place has no decorum. It's a building whose purpose is one. Either way, I'll admire the bottles of hair tonic, which are for sale. There's also a strop hanging on the wall and it hordes dust. Nobody ever asks for a straight blade shave, anymore. I'd like to have just one in my life. There a pictures on the wall of Mr. Bobby's friends and family. Most of which live nearby. There's even a poster which showcases the bust of all of our American Presidents, the newest being Ronald Reagan. It's not a timeless place, but it is a place to pass the time. It's a building built for utility.
After waiting for a bit, I usually just step up, then plop down into the barber's chair. Oddly enough, hair cut recipients don't face the wall-sized mirror. In fact, you face the patient waiters. You can enjoy the conversation without having to stare at yourself. When he asks how I'd like my haircut, I tell him simply. The first time, I tried to raise my voice, because I thought he might not hear me. He whispered back and said "I can do that." My first few cuts were the traditional crew cuts that he doled out while in the military. Each one was perfect and precise. Since then, he has offered to me that women like hair on the "full" side. Now he just trims it.
There's a tremendous gap between Bobby and I. Obviously, our age difference is grand. He's a member of America's Greatest Generation. I know hard work, but all he knows is hard work. He's polite and sincere as if it is the only option, and sometimes, I can be either or neither. Either way, after I pay the grand total sum of $5 for my haircut, I feel a little closer to him and Columbia. And as Bobby would say, I feel "a little lighter", too.
Enjoy the day...
September 13, 2011
Pocosin Grapes
This blog is well overdue. Rarely do I write about anything that I don't value. I'm not the great writer that can pick a social topic, hash it out, and walk away. Life's to long to do that, even once. Still, when I go to that Giant Rock Wall in the sky, I hope to find many of the things I love in this galaxy. One of my favorite things is the humble scuppernong grape. It's the perfect snack for those of us who prefer mosquitoes to malls.
Growing up in Alabama, my parents had a few muscadine vines. They were not cultivated by them, and for all I know, they might have just been wild and matured. A muscadine is similar to a scuppernong...it's a wild grape that has a leathery shell. They're purple, though, unlike the greenish-bronze scuppernong. Sometimes, though, Deep Southerner's called muscadines "scuplins" or "scuflins"...I was always confused and cravenous. I even had friends whose parents made muscadine wine. Personally, though, there is no better way to enjoy a wild grape, than to plop the fruit into your mouth, straight up.
Upon my arrival in pocosin country, I quickly got my bearings by cruising the front and back roads of the area. I got lots of tips from new friends on great places to go. Upon crossing the Scuppernong River, I recognized the name from childhood. And so began my quest for the wild grape vine. They were literally everywhere, but finding one that produces sweet fruit was the challenge. I found lots that offered smaller, tarter grapes. I had to learn to like them, and did. On occasion, someone would bring a carton of them by the office - the good kind. I ate more than my fair share, but I had to make up for years lost.
Eventually, I hit the motherload. And apparently, this motherload was from the mothervine, which added additional mystique to this abundant, but almost unknown grape.
Quick Interjection Here: My computer mysteriously shut-off without saving the last 25 lines of this blog, so I'll attempt to finish...again.
Anyway, the grapevines, yeah...so now I don't pick any grapes...I buy them from a local grower, Scuppernong Produce. Gosh Almighty are they perfect. Giant grapes, with minimal seeds. If you want some from Scuppernong Produce, you'll have to let me know, or you can find Scuppernong Produce on Facebook. They'll let you know how you can get them, but I have a connection. They are worth every 250 pennies per quart. But remember the law of supply and demand when purchasing!
Once you pick or buy your grapes, you need to enjoy them the purist's way...that means (1)putting the entire grape in your mouth, (2)squeezing with your teeth until the pulp erupts, (3)sorting (by tooth) the seeds from the pulp, (4)spitting the seeds back to the earth (or into a cup if enjoying indoors), (5) swallowing the pulp, (6) chewing the skin, (7) swallowing, and finally, (8)smiling. If you are going to spit out the skin, just don't bother with the grapes. The skin is where the protein and fiber are...either way, scuppernongs are healthier, tastier, and even less expensive than an equal amount of chocolate.
Most of my favorite snacks are broken up by seasons....here's a calendar year rundown:
January through mid-February: Conversation Hearts
Mid-February through mid-April: Cadburry and Robin Eggs
Mid-April through August: Granola
August through mid-October: Scuppernong Grapes
Mid-October through mid-November: Candy Corn
Mid-November through late December: Haystacks and fudge
Remember, eat all sweets in moderation! Your waistline and teeth will thank you. And it's all just to good to over-do, except for scuppernongs!
Enjoy the day...
Growing up in Alabama, my parents had a few muscadine vines. They were not cultivated by them, and for all I know, they might have just been wild and matured. A muscadine is similar to a scuppernong...it's a wild grape that has a leathery shell. They're purple, though, unlike the greenish-bronze scuppernong. Sometimes, though, Deep Southerner's called muscadines "scuplins" or "scuflins"...I was always confused and cravenous. I even had friends whose parents made muscadine wine. Personally, though, there is no better way to enjoy a wild grape, than to plop the fruit into your mouth, straight up.
Upon my arrival in pocosin country, I quickly got my bearings by cruising the front and back roads of the area. I got lots of tips from new friends on great places to go. Upon crossing the Scuppernong River, I recognized the name from childhood. And so began my quest for the wild grape vine. They were literally everywhere, but finding one that produces sweet fruit was the challenge. I found lots that offered smaller, tarter grapes. I had to learn to like them, and did. On occasion, someone would bring a carton of them by the office - the good kind. I ate more than my fair share, but I had to make up for years lost.
Eventually, I hit the motherload. And apparently, this motherload was from the mothervine, which added additional mystique to this abundant, but almost unknown grape.
Quick Interjection Here: My computer mysteriously shut-off without saving the last 25 lines of this blog, so I'll attempt to finish...again.
Anyway, the grapevines, yeah...so now I don't pick any grapes...I buy them from a local grower, Scuppernong Produce. Gosh Almighty are they perfect. Giant grapes, with minimal seeds. If you want some from Scuppernong Produce, you'll have to let me know, or you can find Scuppernong Produce on Facebook. They'll let you know how you can get them, but I have a connection. They are worth every 250 pennies per quart. But remember the law of supply and demand when purchasing!
Once you pick or buy your grapes, you need to enjoy them the purist's way...that means (1)putting the entire grape in your mouth, (2)squeezing with your teeth until the pulp erupts, (3)sorting (by tooth) the seeds from the pulp, (4)spitting the seeds back to the earth (or into a cup if enjoying indoors), (5) swallowing the pulp, (6) chewing the skin, (7) swallowing, and finally, (8)smiling. If you are going to spit out the skin, just don't bother with the grapes. The skin is where the protein and fiber are...either way, scuppernongs are healthier, tastier, and even less expensive than an equal amount of chocolate.
Most of my favorite snacks are broken up by seasons....here's a calendar year rundown:
January through mid-February: Conversation Hearts
Mid-February through mid-April: Cadburry and Robin Eggs
Mid-April through August: Granola
August through mid-October: Scuppernong Grapes
Mid-October through mid-November: Candy Corn
Mid-November through late December: Haystacks and fudge
Remember, eat all sweets in moderation! Your waistline and teeth will thank you. And it's all just to good to over-do, except for scuppernongs!
Enjoy the day...
September 12, 2011
The Day the World Changed
Over the weekend, the somber celebration of 9/11 transpired across America and it's foreign bases. Virtually everyone on Facebook took the opportunity to use the words "we will never forget" in their statuses. Not me. September 11, 2001 was not the day that the world changed. It was the day that changed the world. And there's a difference.
Where were you on 9/11/01? Odds are you know exactly where you were, and research has proven that dramatic events generally mark our minds in a way other than how the trivial things may be memorized. I don't have the slightest idea of what I did on September 10, 2011. I imagine I was preparing for my college-girlfriend-at-the-time's impending birthday, which was on September 13. I think we went to a restaurant. I 'm sure I did as I was asked. Nevertheless, I know exactly what I did on September 11, 2001.
I woke up around 7:30 am Central Time in the morning...I ate a Toaster Strudel, blueberry I'm sure. I cut on the TV, hoping to see good weather for the day. I was planning to go to the marina I worked at after class and wash some boats. The day would be easy, I was sure. Except for Dr. Pulliam's philosophy class. As soon as I cut on the television, I walked to the bathroom for a shower. This shower was just like all the others. I walked out, dressed, and met my dad in the den, where he wasn't supposed to be. He told me that a plane had just crashed into the World Trade Center. I thought "what a terrible accident." Then, I watched live at about 8:05 am Central Time as another plane smashed into a skyscraper I had only seen in pictures. I was captivated and confused. Terrorism was something that I never could digest, but my dad mentioned the possibility immediately, and as non-nonchalantly as anyone who would have lived through the Cuban Missile Crisis. Other planes fell that day. Fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, cousins, aunts, uncles, friends, and neighbors died that day. I didn't know anyone in that building that day. I doubt I know anyone that works near that place, either. I was naive enough to think that it didn't matter to me. It was just one terrible incident that I was not affected by...at 18 years old, most young men are fairly dumb. And I had bleach blonde hair at the time.
The rest of the day was a blurry catastrophe. Planes were grounded. Enemies were named. Threats were realized. In the days since then, flags were hoisted on anything with a high point. Even the remnants of the brave skyscrapers held a flag. I had a flag, too. All of a sudden, I was American and very proud of it.
Since that day, it seems as if every day brings a mention to 9/11/01. Our current financial crisis is linked. The long lines at airports, football games, and military recruitment centers are all linked to 9/11/01, too. Everyone became patriotic, and some still are, thankfully.
Unfortunately, the patriotism eroded and was replaced with stoic, ridiculous cautiousness. Many of us have become frustrated with security at large public gatherings, the never-ending forms that must be completed to bear arms, and the continuing war in Asia. But why be mad at American's for doing what American's do best? We are cautious, much more cautious than we used to be. Americans are no longer the braggart-over-the-top-rebellions that forged this country's eastern border. For the past 10 years, we have become nostalgic and careful. I hope that American's can be brave enough to stop looking inside the purses and pockets of it's own country folk, and begin to look inside the countries who harbor and hide terrorists.
9/12/2001 was the day the world changed. It woke up and had to change. On 9/11/2001, we leaned on shoulders. The next day we looked over our shoulders...and haven't stopped since.
Enjoy the day...
Where were you on 9/11/01? Odds are you know exactly where you were, and research has proven that dramatic events generally mark our minds in a way other than how the trivial things may be memorized. I don't have the slightest idea of what I did on September 10, 2011. I imagine I was preparing for my college-girlfriend-at-the-time's impending birthday, which was on September 13. I think we went to a restaurant. I 'm sure I did as I was asked. Nevertheless, I know exactly what I did on September 11, 2001.
I woke up around 7:30 am Central Time in the morning...I ate a Toaster Strudel, blueberry I'm sure. I cut on the TV, hoping to see good weather for the day. I was planning to go to the marina I worked at after class and wash some boats. The day would be easy, I was sure. Except for Dr. Pulliam's philosophy class. As soon as I cut on the television, I walked to the bathroom for a shower. This shower was just like all the others. I walked out, dressed, and met my dad in the den, where he wasn't supposed to be. He told me that a plane had just crashed into the World Trade Center. I thought "what a terrible accident." Then, I watched live at about 8:05 am Central Time as another plane smashed into a skyscraper I had only seen in pictures. I was captivated and confused. Terrorism was something that I never could digest, but my dad mentioned the possibility immediately, and as non-nonchalantly as anyone who would have lived through the Cuban Missile Crisis. Other planes fell that day. Fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, cousins, aunts, uncles, friends, and neighbors died that day. I didn't know anyone in that building that day. I doubt I know anyone that works near that place, either. I was naive enough to think that it didn't matter to me. It was just one terrible incident that I was not affected by...at 18 years old, most young men are fairly dumb. And I had bleach blonde hair at the time.
The rest of the day was a blurry catastrophe. Planes were grounded. Enemies were named. Threats were realized. In the days since then, flags were hoisted on anything with a high point. Even the remnants of the brave skyscrapers held a flag. I had a flag, too. All of a sudden, I was American and very proud of it.
Since that day, it seems as if every day brings a mention to 9/11/01. Our current financial crisis is linked. The long lines at airports, football games, and military recruitment centers are all linked to 9/11/01, too. Everyone became patriotic, and some still are, thankfully.
Unfortunately, the patriotism eroded and was replaced with stoic, ridiculous cautiousness. Many of us have become frustrated with security at large public gatherings, the never-ending forms that must be completed to bear arms, and the continuing war in Asia. But why be mad at American's for doing what American's do best? We are cautious, much more cautious than we used to be. Americans are no longer the braggart-over-the-top-rebellions that forged this country's eastern border. For the past 10 years, we have become nostalgic and careful. I hope that American's can be brave enough to stop looking inside the purses and pockets of it's own country folk, and begin to look inside the countries who harbor and hide terrorists.
9/12/2001 was the day the world changed. It woke up and had to change. On 9/11/2001, we leaned on shoulders. The next day we looked over our shoulders...and haven't stopped since.
Enjoy the day...
September 7, 2011
Columbia Middle School
The Eastern 4-H Center is now the temporary home of Columbia Middle School. As much of an inconvenience it is for the students, teachers, and parents to have their school flooded, we hope to provide an easy transition for all of them. I'm glad we can do it...not many places in the county can offer such relief! Extension agents and facilities have really come through for the people of Tyrrell County in the aftermath of Irene...some of them while their own personal lives were turned bottom up. But that happened to lots of folks. They're not feeling sorry for themselves around here. They're feeling helpful.
Either way, the middle school will be here for an undetermined amount of time...but they hope to be out by the 23rd of September.
East Carolina has a big game against Virginia Tech this weekend...here's hoping they can pull of the upset...Auburn is a touchdown dog to Mississippi State AT HOME! But I don't gamble, so I don't care...but never bet against Auburn. Never bet on them, either...
Enjoy the day...
Either way, the middle school will be here for an undetermined amount of time...but they hope to be out by the 23rd of September.
East Carolina has a big game against Virginia Tech this weekend...here's hoping they can pull of the upset...Auburn is a touchdown dog to Mississippi State AT HOME! But I don't gamble, so I don't care...but never bet against Auburn. Never bet on them, either...
Enjoy the day...
September 6, 2011
Labor Day Weakened
The hurricane clean-up at the Center is virtually complete. I imagine we picked up a couple of tons of former flotsam from our beach and yard...the timber that was felled is to numerous to weigh, though. Either way, lots of people in Tyrrell and surrounding counties are putting the left-behind pieces back together...and Katia appears to be steaming away from our coast...thank goodness.
Other notes of interest since my last blog:
The September Resident Canada Goose season came in on September 1st. This is a great way to control the burgeoning population or resident geese. I have blogged several times on the destruction these geese can cause to neighborhoods, fish communities in local ponds, and even destroy themselves through overpopulation and overgrazing. Either way, I was lucky enough to bag some geese with a good friend. My first ever goose was in that mix...additionally, may I please add how delicious a grilled goose is...especially one that has fattened itself on the struggling farmers corn crops. Wild Game is a great way for picky eaters to know where there food came from and to know how it was handled. Yet, grilled a perfect medium rare on Saturday, these geese tasted BETTER than the steaks prepared alongside them...simple preparation is easiest and delivers, to me, the very best results.
The college football weekend has also come and gone, with some surprises. East Carolina was thrashed by South Carolina...very disappointing, but the Pirates still hold lots of promise. UNC-CH won with ease, as did NC State. My beloved Auburn struggled quite a bit with a team that shall remain nameless...Auburn needed two touchdowns with 2:00 minutes remaining...it pulled of the impossible, while making a below .500 season very possible. Auburn will turn many fans into insomniacs this year, and the road only gets tougher with Mississippi State this upcoming weekend.
The 4-H Center is expecting guests now...we even have a big wedding this weekend on our newly-restored waterfront. Speaking of weddings, Charles Midgette, our Maintenance Supervisor was wed this weekend. Congrats to him and his bride!
Ms. Mittie, our glowing receptionist had another birthday...this morning, in fact. Somehow, though, it was she who gifted me with the Krispy Kreme doughnut. Anyway, Ms. Mittie is timeless and ageless, but she does have an age, and she's not telling. I surmise that despite her age, she looks at least 15 years younger...
But with all of this news, work, and play, I was a bit drained for the Labor Day Weekend...I guess I'll have to wait another year for Labor Day.
Enjoy the day...
Other notes of interest since my last blog:
The September Resident Canada Goose season came in on September 1st. This is a great way to control the burgeoning population or resident geese. I have blogged several times on the destruction these geese can cause to neighborhoods, fish communities in local ponds, and even destroy themselves through overpopulation and overgrazing. Either way, I was lucky enough to bag some geese with a good friend. My first ever goose was in that mix...additionally, may I please add how delicious a grilled goose is...especially one that has fattened itself on the struggling farmers corn crops. Wild Game is a great way for picky eaters to know where there food came from and to know how it was handled. Yet, grilled a perfect medium rare on Saturday, these geese tasted BETTER than the steaks prepared alongside them...simple preparation is easiest and delivers, to me, the very best results.
The college football weekend has also come and gone, with some surprises. East Carolina was thrashed by South Carolina...very disappointing, but the Pirates still hold lots of promise. UNC-CH won with ease, as did NC State. My beloved Auburn struggled quite a bit with a team that shall remain nameless...Auburn needed two touchdowns with 2:00 minutes remaining...it pulled of the impossible, while making a below .500 season very possible. Auburn will turn many fans into insomniacs this year, and the road only gets tougher with Mississippi State this upcoming weekend.
The 4-H Center is expecting guests now...we even have a big wedding this weekend on our newly-restored waterfront. Speaking of weddings, Charles Midgette, our Maintenance Supervisor was wed this weekend. Congrats to him and his bride!
Ms. Mittie, our glowing receptionist had another birthday...this morning, in fact. Somehow, though, it was she who gifted me with the Krispy Kreme doughnut. Anyway, Ms. Mittie is timeless and ageless, but she does have an age, and she's not telling. I surmise that despite her age, she looks at least 15 years younger...
But with all of this news, work, and play, I was a bit drained for the Labor Day Weekend...I guess I'll have to wait another year for Labor Day.
Enjoy the day...
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