12 Oakdale

Potato Vines   Using my preferred technique of closing the barn door after the horse has bolted, I’ve gotten back to my ab workout now that I pulled my lower back while weeding. One would think that by the time one were 70, one would know that to keep one’s back from hurting, one’s abs need continual strength training, but one would be wrong. Two days of drugs and rest got me through the worst part, but not the frustration and embarrassment. Now, two weeks later, I’m in the habit of daily early morning ab exercise. What has made it easy is RPM, or Rise, Pee, Meditate. A benefit of our continued no-contact world is being able to attend the mindfulness-based stress reduction program presented by a couple from our former congregation. They had offered it previously but my schedule didn’t fit their timetable. Now...my schedule is more flexible. In addition to attending 8 weekly meetings and an all-day workshop, they ask us to meditate daily and listen to their guided body scans. ...

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...