This Ain't the Way We Did It

I spent many days stooped over in these fields on the family farm priming tobacco. It was hot, dirty, back breaking work. Now it is done by machine. One operator primes two rows at a time. He has a cover over his head to help keep him cool and best of all he doesn't have to stoop over and walk down the rows. Today there were four of these harvesters in the farm. 

Once the bin on the back is full, it is unloaded onto a truck and hauled to the bulk barns. No more stringing the leaves onto a stick and hanging them in a barn for flue curing. 

I certainly do not miss those old days. 

Birds

Things are getting pretty slow when you start blogging about birds. I was grilling some steaks when I noticed two birds feeding on my zinnias. I had never seen this breed before so I did a web search to see if I could identify them. 

Stock picture of a goldfinch. Rather pretty, don't you think. 

My zinnias have not been dead headed recently which is why the finches were feeding on the seed. A good reason not to dead head. There was also a humming bird feeding on the flowers. 

Shrimp and Grits

One of my favorite seafood dishes is shrimp and grits. It's not hard to prepare and I cook them several times a year when at the coast. The family likes them too, so I usually cook a double recipe when they are in town.  The secret is using fresh shrimp and making really creamy grits with butter and half and half.

Just starting to cook the shrimp. 

Grandson Eamon insists on lighting the candles for a little atmosphere. 

Cecil hits the Big One

July 12

This may be the number that many of us dread. We are all lucky to make it as far as we have but none luckier than our dear classmate Cecil. Have a Happy Birthday, Cecil, with many more to come. 

Looking good to be 70!

A Nice Day for the Cape

Monday was a nice day to make a run up to Cape Lookout with the kids and dog. The July 4th crowd had cleared out and there were only a few boats at the Cape. 

The water was warm and perfect for swimming. 

The return trip was on the inside by the lighthouse, through Barden Inlet, by Harkers Island and Beaufort. 

A Delayed Fourth of July

We had an unwanted visitor at the beach Friday morning by the name of Author. Fortunately his visit was short and he left minimal damage. None the less, many of the 4th activities were postponed to the 5th. 

We did manage to work in some of the traditional events despite Authur. 

When did you last enjoy some homemade ice cream?

Pineapple. Our neighbor's recipe. Delicious!

More neighbors with children and sparklers. 

Most towns at the beach postponed their fireworks to Saturday night. 

We can watch fireworks at Beaufort, Morehead city and Atlantic Beach from our balcony. 

The Grand Finale!  That's all folks. 

Fourth of July Weekend

It appears that we might get a visit from Hurricane Authur early Friday morning along the coast of North Carolina. We are not going to let that spoil our plans. As soon as the hurricane passes we will be on our way to join family and friends for the celebration in Morehead City. Most of the fireworks have been rescheduled for Saturday. Other plans include fishing with the grand sons, grilling something on the grill, maybe some golf, a little boating and afternoon socializing. If we don't have a power outage or extensive damage, the weekend is still a go. 

The weather is suppose to be good for the rest of the weekend with highs in the low 80's. Seas are forecasted to be 13 feet on Friday but Saturday and Sunday should be much better with winds of only 10 to 15 knots.