A few months ago I was feeling dubious about my ability to do any gardening this year and wondering if this would be the first time in forty-some years that I didn't make a garden. I still lack stamina and just walking down to and back up from the garden is a challenge, between the previously broken ankle that swells if I stand too long and the un-replaced, bone-on-bone knee that has been acting up of late.
Plus, due to a wonky back, I have for the past five or ten years done much of my gardening sitting down and scootching along on my rear end but now -- now I'm not sure if, once down, I could get back up.
It's a challenge.
Thanks however to John, who tilled up the box beds and is going to plant the tomatoes while I help, I'm back in the garden in small doses. I'm pulling weeds, setting out pepper, kale, collards, and broccoli starts, and yesterday I sowed lettuce and cucumbers, setting an empty seed packet on a trellis like a defiant flag!
(I'm not ignoring Comey's firing. When I take breaks to elevate my feet (still a necessity,) I'm glued to the internet. These are perilous times, folks, and we need to pay attention.)
(I'm not ignoring Comey's firing. When I take breaks to elevate my feet (still a necessity,) I'm glued to the internet. These are perilous times, folks, and we need to pay attention.)
12 comments:
Do you not have a stool like this? It flip both ways -- for sitting or kneeling. It does help, but yes, gardening is not so much fin anymore.
https://www.google.ca/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiHopjl1-fTAhWW0YMKHUDrAuUQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recycleworks.co.uk%2FFolding-Garden-Kneeler-Stool.html&psig=AFQjCNHG4YOmPnBU-z3OcLHbDJgnSDe5pQ&ust=1494586784907637
So ... that link isn't live, but you can copy and paste.
I have a stool like the previous commentator, which I use for kneeling. I can see how it might be useful for you as the handles would assist in the get-back-up process, but it would be nice if it would scootch. Wheels?
And yes, these are perilous times. Comey should, in fact, have been fired by President Obama for interference in the election, but since, I suspect, that would have appeared extremely partisan before the election and both extremely partisan as well as vindictive post-election, I can understand why he didn't. Trump, from reading numerous articles yesterday and today, seems to have fired Comey mainly because Comey wouldn't act as Trump's attack dog and instead was mostly doing his job.
But Vicki, you must realize that most of us could not accomplish what you are able to do even in your somewhat impaired state! I have always admired the way you and John come up with solutions to challenges, whether concerning the land, the animals, writing, etcetcetcetc....my hat (if I wore one) is off to the both of you!
I do have a kneeling stool -- but my knees don't like being kneeled on, alas. Nevertheless, I will persist.
And the sitting part is a bit too high for reaching the weeds.
I can't kneel either anymore. I sit on a pad on the ground, and just kinda scoot along that way. Pretty awkward, but you do what you gotta do!
Oh dear Vickie, so sorry to hear that you haven't been repaired to "better than before accident" quality. Of course its one more part of becoming respected crones, the wise women! I'm grateful for a little raised bed at our nearby community center. I'm pretty sure you already have beds along the top of walls, though, so you're already ahead of me. My sunflowers all came up and I've already thinned them, but so far only a few of the beans!
I'm sorry for the frustration you must be feeling, as well as the awkwardness and pain. But you already do way more physically than I do, so...kudos to you!
As for the perilous times, I'm not convinced that our paying attention or contacting Congress makes any difference anymore. :( Like a nasty virus (hopefully not as bad as the 1918 flu!), I'm beginning to think that this has to run its course.
I have a feeling that caring for Josie will help take your mind off the loss of gardening. And realistically you should not likely be doing as much canning and preserving as you normally do so a smaller garden might be better. Perhaps there is a level area by the house where John can build you a raised bed in the future. Meanwhile remember what a tremendous insult your body took and you are still healing so don't push yourself (said she who never fails to give an opinion). I have a friend who used one of those air splints on her ankle much of the day to give it more stability. Might be worth asking your doctor if that would help.
Yes, my swearing off news has ended as well. I sat and knitted all day today watching the hearings. And my ankle and knee are fine. It's mesmerizing.
Such challenges for you, for Mr President I really don't know what he is thinking about...
My sympathies Vicky. It is frustrating when you can't do what you want to do physically. However there is always something we can do. Perhaps a few raised beds would be the answer?
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