Saturday

The Winds of Irene


As "Hurricane Irene" started it's howling way up the coast of Florida we got some of her winds and rain.
During the night she breezed past Florida, she sent the best winds and some rain into my area and thankfully, 
Irene did not want to mess with Florida...


She did blow down my one Banana trees with fruit, not yet ready for harvesting.









The only thing I could do was chop the remaining stock down.
I have a butcher knife saved from my catering days and it's so useful in the garden.  Banana trees are just a "whack" and down they come.


The stump will dry and fade away, only to have a new baby come up in it's place.
I do have another banana tree flowering.  From this point of blooming I estimate December for it to be ready to pick it's wonderful fruit.  Just in time for my annual gifts of "Banana Bread" to the neighbors for Christmas.
Although this bunch of bananas are not yet ready for picking I read that if you put the bunch in a dark room for at least two weeks it should ripen without any problem.  This bunch was estimated to be picked at the end of September so it has a few weeks.....
Right now it's in my store room just sitting there.. I will tie a rope to it and hang it today.  Then wait for the first sign of yellow.

One good thing came out of Irene,  we this past few days have a nice breeze and the temps have dropped to give us a bit of a break in the hot steamy weather, we have been having for the past two months. We down here sit and wait all during Hurricane Season for the next one.. I did notice there are two  lined up like ducks out in the Atlantic.. Oh, that is for another day to think about...

I'm truly sorry for anyone who was hurt or lost property during Irene's rampage up the coast. Sending all the good vibes I can muster for everyone involved.



I'm joining 







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12 comments:

Tina said...

Happy to hear you're all ok down there in Florida. I've got family down there too and they have loved the breezes also!
When I was younger, we lived in Guam. We kept a closet ready to hang bananas in so they would ripen. We had strong winds and/or typhoons that would knock them off early. Be careful not to get the juice from the plant on your clothes..it stains black!

Pondside said...

I'm glad that the only casualty was the banana tree, and that you'll be able to salvage your bananas for your Christmas baking. Let's hope that friends and family further north stay safe.

bj said...

What a dream..to be able to grow banana trees. Amazing.
So glad it wasn't as bad as predicted in your area.
Stay safe.

The Sage Butterfly said...

I am so glad to hear that you are safe and that your garden sustained minimal damage. We are still awaiting Irene's visit, so I hope we are as lucky as you were.

Granny said...

I'm glad the only damage was to the banana tree and that another will take it's place. Every year during hurricane season I worry about my daughter and her family as they live so close to the ocean on the eastern side of florida.

The French Hutch said...

I'm happy you only had one banana tree in Irene's path. Great pics and very interesting too. Lucky neighbors, getting banana bread for Christmas. Great post.......

~Emily
The French Hutch

Light and Voices said...

Glad you were out of Irene's way. Banana bread for Christmas sounds delicious. Sorry your one banana plant fell.
Joyce M

Anonymous said...

When a hurricane misses Florida, that's something to be grateful for. Luckily, we were spared as well though others this far north were not so lucky.

jeanne said...

I remember when we lived in Miami we had a banana tree. we love those sweet little bananas. However, we also experienced lots of hurricanes. I hope yours ripen in spite of the damage.

Now we live in the NC mountains and really love the different climate.

Now we do not have to contend with hurricanes where we live in the Western Carolina mountains. It is lovely here.
xo, Jeanne

Lona said...

It had a huge bunch of Bananas too. I am glad it will grow back for you and that Irene was not too unkind to you. Have a wonderful weekend.

Tootsie said...

glad you are ok...shared this on my tootsie facebook!!!
I thank you so much for linking in this week. It is an honor to host Friday's Flaunt and meet new friends and visit the regulars (who are like old friends) who share. I am always excited to tour each post and see the different flowers/ projects and garden art that everyone flaunts. It is a pleasure to tour and see all the gorgeous blooms...and I appreciate each and every link and comment! I hope you will link in again soon!
(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

ANGEL said...

hi sandy! here in our country, we just place bananas in empty rice sacks or in a dark store room/kitchen cabinet to make the riping process faster. glad to here you're doing okay there. stay safe!