no signs of snow in this sky
Recent weather report from my northern home town in NY getting dumped on by snow today with more to come at the end of the week.
taking in a breath taking sky as banana leaves fray in the wind
Hurricane-Like Snow Storm Aims for Walton, New York.. Thursday, Friday
Feb 23, 2010; 4:10 PM ET
A powerful storm of historical proportions is aiming for much of the Northeast Thursday into Friday and will follow up to a foot and a half of snow through Wednesday over upstate New York and western New England.
This second storm will be nothing short of a monster. Even in light of the blizzards earlier this winter that targeted the southern mid-Atlantic, this may be the one that people remember the most this winter in parts of New England and the northern mid-Atlantic.
At peak the storm will deliver near hurricane-force wind gusts (74 mph) and blinding snow falling at the rate of over an inch per hour. For some people in upstate New York and eastern and northern Pennsylvania, this may seem more like a “snow hurricane” rather than a blizzard.
Cities likely to be impacted by heavy snow for all or at least part of the storm include: New York City, Albany, Rochester, Syracuse, Binghamton, Scranton, Allentown, Reading, Williamsport and Burlington.
The storm will also deliver heavy rain and flooding northeast of the center of circulation.
The cities of Boston, Providence and Portland may have their hands full with coastal flooding problems.
The combination of wind, heavy rain and heavy snow will lead to extensive power outages and property damage. Where numerous trees and lines are blown down, the power could be out for a week in some areas.
Impacts on travel in the region may be severe. The effects of the storm will lead to flight delays and cancellations. Some major roads may be blocked by snow, downed trees or flooding.
Many schools will be closed or have early dismissal.
Blowout tides caused by strong offshore winds from New Jersey to North Carolina may pose problems for coastal waterway interests.
Exactly where this storm forms and tracks will determine whether you get all snow, all rain, snow to rain or just snow showers. A difference in track of as little as 50 miles will mean the difference.
One thing is for sure, most people in the mid-Atlantic and New England will have problems from this storm’s strong winds.
Keep checking in at AccuWeather.com for updates on snowfall and other impacts on this potentially very dangerous, destructive storm.
Story by AccuWeather.com Expert Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski
begonia on the deck
I’ve been saving money all winter long by not paying for heat. Even though back home I was burning wood and snubbing fossil fuels as much as possible.
Basil, perfect in both Thai and Italian cuisine.
Winter in New York always seems so long. The promise of spring used to have me pouring over seed catalogs. Here in Kauai, I need not dream of spring. I just embrace the year-long growing season.
Arugula grows right outside the kitchen always available for a tasty snip.
Peas climb the white lattice that I use to thwart the pigs.
This tomato plant offers the promise of succulent fruit.
This is how edamame grows.
Our Kauai garden is providing us with a wonderful fresh salad everyday. I bought a salad spinner at a garage sale a few weeks back for a buck, so salad prep is a breeze. I’m also making my own sprouts, both adzuki and mung. They are great in salads, Asian dishes and even on sandwiches.
Bromeliad dazzling us daily on the deck.
I’m really trying to be as self-sufficient as possible. I pick my own limes, figs and grapefruit. We buy pineapple now at Costco for $2.99, because at the farmers market you can’t find them for less than $5.00 and the road side stands the pineapple quality just wasn’t there. It sure seems strange that pineapple is neither cheap or plentiful in Kauai.
Rainbow in my own backyard.
I am patiently waiting for my papaya to ripen. I watch the many mango trees when I’m out about in Kauai. Waiting and watching for the trees to set fruit and for sugary juicy sweet mango to ripen. So far ripe mangos have eluded me.
Bird of paradise, enjoying the flowers inside and out.
We harvested two very large bunches of green bananas last week and they have been giving us about 6 bananas per day.
Banana harvest.
Banana harvesting is simple. The whole tree needs to be felled, it is stalk-like and drops easily. The entire tree needs to come down as each plant only produces one bunch, after harvest new banana plants will sprout from the base. Assuring the next crop. Cut off the large bunch and leave the flower intact, Be careful not to have your clothing and skin saturated with the latex that seeps from the cut stem. I hung the bunches under the eaves of the house by wrapping a wire hanger around the stalk and then suspending the bunch on the hanger from a nail. The bananas on the top ripen first. Keeping them hanging on the bunch with good air circulation allows for slow ripening, thus providing just enough everyday. One slight twist from the stem and experience banana perfection.
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Rene's travels 