YHC was running late after gathering four large Loofah Gourd’s from my back yard and loading up my vehicle with an 80# sand medicine ball, 60# sandbag and a frisbee. I had agreed to Q at Frac’s suggestion after coffee on Saturday. I didn’t complete the signup until 6:00 am on Sunday, which created some confusion as Vagabond saw an empty signup sheet and was intent on Qing a Halloween themed workout. I arrived at 6:30 ran to the PAX who were lined up and took charge in my rightful role as the officially signed up Q. Vagabond kept the PAX entertained with a Halloween themed selection of music.
The warm up – Grass Grabbers, Abe Vigoda, Imperial Walkers, Side Straddle Hops.
The Thang – Mosey to the Foundry for some Murph training. Two pax took the sand bags while the other PAX used the Frisbee to move to the Foundry. After 5 frisbee throws the coupons would rotate. If the frisbee fell to the ground three burpees. Once at the foundry we began rounds of 5 pullups/rows, 10 Merkins, and 15 Squats. I think the winner was Vagabond with 14 rounds. Using the same mode of transportation we headed to the back of NOMA for some Mary (LBC, Flutter kicks, Freddy Mercuries). 5 Sunday mornings then back to the flag. Where minds were tricked with Loofah treats.
Welcome back Smooth who returned the day before from Spain after finishing his four year work assignment.
FYI My neighbors have an extensive trellis in their back yard and I am often the benefit of their botanical bounties that grow on my side of my fence.
Not a typical garden vegetable, luffa grows slowly and matures well into autumn. It prefers plenty of sunshine, hot summer temperatures, adequate water and well drained soil. In the right conditions, luffa vines grow vigorously, sometimes as long as 30 feet. When provided an overhead trellis, the vines’ tendrils twine and wind up and across overhead supports. They can even create a natural shade canopy.
Eye-catching, sunshine-yellow flowers appear in late summer through early fall. The flowers attract bees, ants and other pollinators. After the flowers are spent, elongated fruits form up and down the vines. They dangle here and there in random fashion.
The adage “things get better with age” applies to luffa. The fruit should fully ripen on the vine before it is harvested. As it matures, the fruit lightens in color and loses water weight. The shell hardens and starts to separate from interior fibers. Typically the vine starts to dry, as well. However, wait too long and the outer shell may over harden, which makes peeling difficult. Decay also can begin, as evidenced by dark spots, when fully ripened fruit is left too long on the vine.
Growers typically break off the mature fruit’s outer shell by slamming it on a hard surface or crushing it with a heavy utensil. If peeling is still difficult, a drench of water sometimes helps. Peeling reveals a spongy fiber within, which should be extracted, washed and squeezed to remove excess water. A bleach-water soak can lessen persistent stains. Otherwise, the fibrous “sponge” should be left in the sun to thoroughly dry, which helps curtail mold growth.
