The term knothead as I understand it is derived from first time visitors to South Florida who stand under Coconut or Avocado trees during moderate to high winds. The falling fruit bouncing off a tourists head besides making an audible "thonk ", leaves a noticeable swollen knot. Hence the slang heard from Florida natives," damn ,that guy is a real knothead".---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have an Avocado tree situated in my backyard garden. You can see in the above photo taken in October that it is loaded with fruit. You can also see in the above picture how severely I had to cut it to remove the shattered limbs after hurricane Wilma several years back.
With the gusting winds here yesterday several of the fruits were blown free from the tree. I put a ruler next to some to give you an idea of their size.
I don't know what type of Avocado that I have but I have read that there are over 500 different variety's. I just refer to mine as the Cannonball species due to their propensity for firing off the tree and producing large holes in my fiberglass back porch awning. My metal shed has also come under attack from these two pounders. Any late November hurricane virtually guarantees the siege will be on and these Cannonballs will be flying.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I figure if these guys had a load of black powder behind them they could really obtain some distance. Some pictures of cannon I took in Cartagena, Columbia this October. If you look at the bore size of these old cannon closely my two pounders would fit just fine.
Spain which owned Cartagena back in prior century's stored all of its loot pillaged from South America in this city.
Back in the 16th century Spain began building this wall with the cannon around the city of Cartagena. They had pirate problems as the pirates figured it was profitable to loot the city and steal the treasure. Spain kept their stolen loot inside the city until one of their treasure fleets could be put together to transport it across the sea to Spain. Seems to me they could have used some of my Cannonball Avocado's back then to ward off the pirate attacks on the city.
Undoubtedly if they had you would have heard the famous historical expression, "damn' them there pirates sure are knotheads". -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anyway enough history as I understand it.
Anyway enough history as I understand it.
My garden helper Yorkshire Terrier Odette. She became upset when I was taking pictures of the Cannonball two pounders in the grass. She claims every fallen Avocado as her property and she is very possessive.
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In Wilton Manors, where my house is, people come into the yard (un-invited) and steal the huge avacados and mangos in broad daylight!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! You are a traveler!
Very funny article. sorry about the holes in the awning. Guess the 27 gallons of acorns that recently fell onto our deck is a mere childs play compared to these two pound canon balls.
ReplyDeleteJim,
ReplyDeleteBesides my two dogs I babysit my son's dog. He is a German Sheppard and tops out at 105 lbs. To enter my back yard to steal the fruit would be very foolish. Besides I have so many Avocado's I give them away free to anyone who asks. Some times I put a bucket out by the road full of Avocados with a sign free take all You can use just please don't take my bucket. I have always gotten the bucket back.
Randy, Thanks for stopping by. At least I don't have to sweep acorns. That looks like work.
ReplyDelete