12 Oakdale

Hurricane Isaias’ Projected Path   Hurricane Isaias (ees-ah-EE-ahs) blew over Puerto Rico and the Bahamas, then calmed to a tropical storm and skirted the Florida coast. Our big preparation was to move Magic, the giant inflatable unicorn toy I bought Clara for her birthday, from the pool deck to the living room, just in case we got a little bit of wind. (Yes, that was easier than deflating, then re-inflating Magic.) Magic, the Unicorn   I considered putting the straps around our porch umbrellas, but decided to wait for the wind, which never came. Grant put William in a box in the garage. He was concerned we might get lots of rain, and William’s pen would flood. The rain was almost a no-show too, certainly less than some of the downpours we’ve had last month. This certainly beats all the worry and work we did for hurricanes in Fort Lauderdale. I do not miss putting up shutters. But when it rains, it pours, or at least drips a leak in our garage. I’ve had three roofers out ...

Another Bunch of Bananas   Our banana plantation along the canal is fruiting. We harvested 3 stalks, each with 5 - 6 hands of bananas,  and at least 4 plants are in flower or with small banana already showing. Banana bread, banana smoothies, banana daiquiris, bananas on cereal, bananas just by themselves, a lot of bananas in our diets. These are small, but not finger-sized, yellow ones. I am going to find other varieties to add to our crop, perhaps even plantains, if they will grow this far north. Unfortunately, like so much else, the Rare Fruit and Vegetable Council sales are shut down because of Covid-19. The rest of our gardens are on hold. Too late for spring planting; too early for fall. My few okra are hanging on. Something ate the eggplants. I’ve learned to start seeds inside. Grant has kindly turned the compost pile twice, adding the bucket of horse bedding I got when we picked Clara up from horse camp in Mount Dora. I need a closer source. Nehrling House Art...