We use the Pak-Tyer to wrap and tie our hampers with red string. This is low tech, and all the more amazing for it. We place a hamper in the opening of the machine and step on a foot pedal. A metal arm threaded with red string swings around the hamper twice and somehow ties a handy knot. It happens so fast that we can’t really see how it ties the knot. We think the Pak-Tyer is the greatest invention since slice bread.
Cat Wearing a Pummelo Helmet
We’ve named him Catawampus! And no, he’s not our cat.
Practical Uses for a Pineapple
- Paperweight (needs to be replaced when ripe)
- Bookends (see above)
- Hat (with strap)
- Weapon for self-defense – throw or use to ward off
- Halloween costume
- Play football when you do not have a football lying around
- Accepted as barter at many stores and restaurants
- Replace wheels on broken rolling chairs
- Stand for iPad/tablet
- Doorstop (maybe need more than one)
- Create delicious pineapple upside-down cake……fail when you realize that it is far too complicated
- Rum drinks
- Find a hill and have pineapple races. Place bets on your favorite!
- Carry it around and refer to it as your lucky pineapple
- Glue to a large pair of headphones and create a fashion statement
Special thanks to Andrew Valente for his quirky world view.
Boxes Standing By Ready to Ship
It’s “boxing day” at Manhattan Fruitier.
Kumquat Facts:
- Only fruit that has sweeter skin than meat.
- There are two types of kumquat grown in the United States (Nagami and Meiwa)
– Nagamis are oval and the most common kind – when growing, they can withstand temperatures as low as 14 degrees F
– Meiwas are round and mostly grown in China and Japan – they can also be kept as a houseplant
- The shortest kumquat shrub is still taller than an NBA center (2.5m or 8ft)
- Kumquats are a good source of Potassium and Vitamin C
- Also a source of Cryptoxanthin, lutein, and zeaxanthin, which defend your cells from damage and protect your eyes from age-related degeneration
- As far as we know, no one has died while eating a kumquat
– If you continuously eat kumquats, you may live forever.
- Popular uses:
– Eat raw by themselves – meat and skin
– Add to salads
– Turn into marmalade or jam
– Drink in kumquat liqueur or use as a cocktail garnish
- It is impossible to hate kumquats because of their cuteness.
Special thanks to Andrew Valente for assembling these facts.
Today’s NYT crossword puzzle has the clue: Fruit named after a town in Turkey. Six letters.
Drum roll …….. The Casaba melon was named for Kasaba, Turkey, from which it was first exported.
Lady Apple and Pummelo
The picture speaks for itself.
