Newby- Shopgirl
 

Hello, I introduced myself some time back. I thought of calling on you again to let you know how much I enjoy this forum. I am also grown in the tropics Caribbean, however my adopted home is now the coast of North Carolina (zone 8). Bananas have been in my blood for many years and I still can see a picture in my mind of my grandmother's farm growing coffee, tobacco and bananas. She and my uncles lived in the highlands of Puerto Rico (Barranquitas). Just cool enough to make things thrive. Not too far from the house was a small rain forest which I used to explore when they would let me ride the horses. Of course, this is a vision of early childhood. Grown now, I still love banana trees, they are so beautiful! I love the way the bananas love the sun and the way it filters through its leaves making beautiful shades of green!
I hope that as I grow with this forum, I will be able to contribute as well. My knowledge of growing bananas is very small. I am sure with time, I will be able to resource as well.
Merry Christmas to all.

Re: Newby- Shopgirl
 

Shopgirl I could sit and listen to your childhood memories all day long! Do you ever get to go back there?

Re: Newby- Shopgirl
 

shopgirl, your making me homesick for florida. i wish i had memories like that, we moved alot my dad was navy.so anytime you want to tell stories from your childhood let me get a cup of coffee,and a warm fuzzy blanket and you can begin with story time. i could listen for hours.

Re: Newby- Shopgirl
 

Carmensol, I have to agree with cookiecow and mskitty, you have a very eloquent way with word when describing your youth, just naturally brings back memories for those that read them, Thank You, Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to all :0521: :bananas_b

Re: Newby- Shopgirl
 

Thanks shopgirl! Enjoy!

Re: Newby- Shopgirl
 

Thank you all. I learned to appreciate the beauty of nature from both my parents. My dad, Rest in Peace, would talk to me about what makes things grow, why the ugly land toad that lived in our garden was necessary (I was scared to death of that thing, huge, just huge and it would look at me like wanting to jump me?) Daddy would explain to me why the rocks in the brook were so smooth, it took many years of tumbling in the water, he would say. Ah, memories lovely to behold. In my grandmother's house (round thatch roof) for the kitchen lived a pet pig. I was scared of that too. I can still see the guinea hens through the banana trees and straw flowers and red geraniums ,heralding their way back home to eat and roost for the day! The smell of fresh brewed coffee was like an aphrodisiac. Mesmerizing.... of course, I was not allowed to drink coffee (only for adults), but I loved the smeall of the intoxicating aroma.
Have a cup?
Peace...

Re: Newby- Shopgirl
 

WOW!!!!
Don't stop!!! I can almost smell the coffee.....
My husband is so nice ..he will let me sleep in on the weekend ..He'll make coffee and crack the bedroom door just enough for the smell to creep it's way in..I love waking up to coffee.. He will have a cup poured for me when I get up....Sounds like Beautiful memories...
Kylie

Re: Newby- Shopgirl
 

coffee: the breakfast of champions.:chefnaner:

Re: Newby- Shopgirl
 

glad to oblige. These memories were from childhood. My mom would pack my brother and I to go see grandmother up in the hills, for a week or so.

I got married to a Marine who had be travelling all over the U.S. and S. Pacific.
Now I reside in Jacksonville, N.C. (close to Wilmington)

About your question. No, i do not get to go there much anymore. All has changed to include the Trade Winds (do not blow much). Greenhouse effect? The public beaches I adored are now owned by private enterprise businesses, big hotels, etc. When I went down there last I asked my brother, but where is the beach and the lagoon we used to go as children?
He said: this is it. Hotel fronts, ad nauseaum. shame, isn't it?

Re: Newby- Shopgirl
 

Strange, but each time I see red geraniums, it triggers old memories of time spent at Grandmother's house and the red geraniums and straw flowers planted in the red, clay dirt leading to the path where the house stood. So real, I can recall that fragrance of what was pure then.

Peace.

Re: Newby- Shopgirl
 

Ah.......memories......... so lovely to behold. At least I have that. nothing can take that away from me.

Salud, all!

Re: Newby- Shopgirl
 

Welcome aboard - I did the opposite from you and moved to the tropics (Ecuador) from the arctic.

If you'd like to trade stories I can tell you about trekking through the pasture with the northern lights dancing and crackling over my head, during the long-night, because the pipes had frozen in and the family needed clean snow to melt for water.... The sound of the lights and the crisp pine smell of the air are about the only things I miss about Canada.