"From the Bay to the Blue Ridge"
History, Tradition and the Modern Horse By Julie Reardon Show horses are arriving from all over the country for the granddaddy of all horse shows, the Upperville Colt & Horse Show. Started by a local farmer whose descendants still live in the area, Upperville is the country’s oldest horse show and will be holding its […]
By Julie Reardon Virginia Is for Horse Lovers in May The first Saturday in May is home to what may be the most popular horse race over fences in the country: the Virginia Gold Cup. Kentucky may have the Kentucky Derby on the same day, but here in our area, that first Saturday is […]
Budding Interest by Julie Reardon Who doesn’t love to peek through the closed doors and through the windows and walled gardens of others, especially the wealthy? There’s a bit of voyeurism in all of us, and online pictures and videos can only scratch, not satisfy, that desire to really see how others live. Even […]
Welcome Spring by Julie Reardon Despite some unseasonably warm 75 and 80 degree days in February, technically spring’s not here quite yet. But the days are noticeably lengthening and the sun is stronger; in sheltered areas daffodils and crocus are already blooming. They might just be mixed up due to those balmy days, even though […]
SHARE THE LOVE by Julie Reardon Country roads should take you home, or if you don’t live here, at least for a pleasant drive. Unfortunately, in the 30 years since I moved from Alexandria to the rural countryside, city problems like road rage, speeding, texting, cell phone usage and just plain careless driving have been […]
By Julie Reardon At What Price Love? I have the dubious distinction of owning the largest bill in the history of the Life Center, a Leesburg emergency and critical care veterinary center. In just 30 days, costs of surgeries and care to repair the injuries of a young dog that was hit by a car […]
SHOTGUN WEDDING IN RAPPAHANNOCK COUNTY: English driven shooting meets Old Virginia by Julie Reardon No, we won’t be regaling you with the unions fathers suggested to boyfriends of their pregnant young daughters. This marriage is the perfect combination of shooting and country sport at a new venue in rural Rappahannock County, about 90 minutes southwest […]
By Julie Reardon Notes from a Lazy Farmer: Fall chores you can skip and those to do for a nice yard and garden next spring! Some people are out dividing unruly iris and daffodil patches and planting new bulbs right after Labor Day. Not me, it’s generally too hot for that and I’ve never […]
By Julie Reardon The Fruits of Summer Starting with strawberries in May, the gardens in the Blue Ridge offer up tasty treats all summer long, but the bounty of the harvest is most abundant in late summer, where there is almost an embarrassment of riches in the form of local fruits and vegetables, […]
APPLE PIE AND FOURTH OF JULY By Julie Reardon There’s nothing quite like the July 4th fireworks on the Mall in Washington D.C. But braving the crowds once every few years (or every few decades) is plenty for some, who might wish for smaller crowds and a more small town atmosphere. You don’t have […]
