Sorry I am late to the table this morning but as Steve Martin would say, "I had a wild and crazy night."
The cold I mentioned at the end of this post morphed into something I have never seen in my 76 years. Mercy!!! I won't go into the grisly details but as a warning, if you get this particular bug, don't lie down unattended. The good thing is that I think all the worst aspects of a cold were condensed into that 12 hour stretch. Right now, I feel pretty darn good.
If you could choose, would you take a stunningly horrendous cold for 12 hours and then basically be done with it or would you like the kinder, gentler version that lasts for days?? Just curious.
Now to the burn.
If you will notice, this burn is spelled with a "u" and not an "e". No---though I am sure he is a fine man, I am not a Bernie Sanders supporter, I am just a little old lady who spent too much time in idle recuperation this past year who is now trying to get into gardening shape.
The burn is in the backs of my legs from doing the ole yoga move of bending from the hip to weed and playing pick up sticks. Oh those hammies.
The burn is in my shoulders and upper arms from squeezing the clippers and pruner.
The burn is in my forearms from using a bow saw to cut up a fallen plum tree.
The burn is in my palms from raking with out gloves---duh.
The burn is in my butt and neck from bouncing on the riding mower over the Callie dug holes that were hidden by colorful Henbit. She has made my yard a bit like a battle field but she has put a hurting on the mole and vole population so she is forgiven.
The burn is in my wallet from buying out the garden center for veggie soil, potting soil, compost. mulch and plants. Dang, all those bags seem heavier this year.
And all that burning arrived in spite of taking on the chores at a granny's pace. But in spite of the burn, it feels wonderful to be feeling the warm sun, turning the damp soil while creating plant life.
 |
| That sums it up. |
Now to get some plants in the ground so I can be a real gardener, not just a whiner about aching body parts. That will be just as soon as I get over this beginner cold which I am guessing was Winter's goodbye gift. Winter has no sense of humor.
I have always said that if I could no longer garden, I would put myself into the old folks home. Well the good thing is ---- it appears that will not be happening this year anyway.
Do you have an activity important enough that you feel if you are no longer able to do it you will want to just hang it up and put yourself in storage?
I'm sore from working in my garden, too. But you take the cake for burning! I guess if I lost my eyesight and could no longer read or entertain myself through movies and TV, I might be tempted. But I do what I can to take care of my eyes. Your sense of humor is in good shape, Patti! :-)
ReplyDeleteDjan,
DeleteIt is comforting to know someone in as great of shape as you is also feeling the burn. I don't feel so badly now. You make a good point. The eyes are right up there.
And to think that we actually look forward to gardening! I'm still trying to figure out ways to garden without the constant toe-touching. I'm still able to touch those toes, in fact on a good day I can lay my palms flat on the floor, but my back is unhappy afterwards.
ReplyDeleteYour gardening Olympics is an inspiration to us all.
If I could no longer type, I think I'd turn to face the wall.
Marty,
DeleteOoh, yes, I can see where someone who lives to write would be dismayed by that loss. But then there are always voice activated writers.
I used to like to garden... had a herb garden out back at one time. But the only place that gets sun here is in the front. So I use hanging baskets around the entry.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are feeling better, Patti.
Rain,
DeleteYou are doing what I would do. Scaling back is not like giving it up all together. I even grow veggies in hanging baskets. Thank you for your wishes.
I would definitely take it for 12 hours to be done with it!
ReplyDeleteSo, if you take yoga classes and practice all year round, the gardening season is not a big shock to the body -- not that you asked!
Olga,
DeleteSeems you and I are rip off the bandage types. I can't see why yoga wouldn't keep you in shape for gardening. Much of the same moves.
Loved this. And your memory is just getting old, I remember helping my mom with the gardening when I was a teen and the next day I felt the same burn. Of course it was gone in a day, but still...
ReplyDeletejoeh,
DeleteAh yes but that teen got a lot more accomplished before falling to the burn plus you recovered sooner. Still thanks for reminding me that this is cross generational malady.
In my opinion colds are the work of the devil. Awful in any form. It would be hard for me to live without books and my digital devices.
ReplyDeleteLinda,
DeleteI agree. If I could no longer read or even listen to audio books, life would be pretty darn bleak. Agree also that the devil is in charge of colds.
I think once I get to the stage where I can't do the creative stuff I love doing then I'd feel ready to hang up my shoes and give up.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you are feeling better. What sun?? Lucky you!
Joey,
DeleteSorry to brag about sun but it is new to us here also. A shutdown of creativity would be awful. I have a feeling however that you would be the most intriguingly dressed old fellow in the storage facility.
I hope you are all well today. Yes, gardening is dear to me too; I have slowed down as I age, but love to garden and see our flowers. I planted lettuce last week.
ReplyDeleteTerra,
ReplyDeleteDoing much better thank you. Nothing tastes quite as good as produce we grow ourselves does it? Lettuce is a prime example.
Oh dear... First I read about Olga's cold/flu and now it's you. Yikes! This is a dangerous season. So many people are getting sick. I'm glad you're feeling better and able to think about gardening now. Hmmmm... What do I want to keep up? I think blogging, because it keeps my brain awake.
ReplyDeleteKay,
DeleteI do believe it is going around. Be careful, you have all ready had your share. I agree with blogging also. Besides, it is a sit down activity.
Oh how I feel your 'burns', Patti. Getting back into gardening is NOT easy on me either....
ReplyDeleteSorry about your COLD--but if I could choose, I'd rather have a doozy for one day than one that is spread out over many days... BUT--I'd prefer not to have one AT ALL.... ha
George and I have both said that once we can no longer work in or enjoy the yardwork, then we'll consider moving to a condo somewhere where there is no yardwork to be done. BUT--as long as we can do it, we are content to stay right here.
Have a great week.
Hugs,
Betsy
Betsy,
DeleteAs lovely as you keep your yard and garden, I can't imagine you not digging in each year. I'll bet even with a condo, George would have some roses somewhere.
Hope you're well on the way to recovery, Patti! I used to love gardening, but am lazy about it these days. I keep meaning to plant tomatoes in irrigated boxes on our patio (to cut down on the Arizona sun that actually cooked my previous crop of tomatoes in their skins, on the vine, a few seasons ago!
ReplyDeleteDr. Kathy,
DeleteWow, I can't imagine growing cooked tomatoes. Weird. With that heat, container gardening might be the only way to go.
I always smile or laugh out loud when I visit with you. I know the burn well.
ReplyDeleteHappy Gardening.
Gail,
DeleteThanks and I am so glad I find your funny bone.
I am surprised as active as you stay all year that you ever feel the burn.
If I couldn't paint or be creative in some way I think it would be over for me.
ReplyDeleteStephen,
DeleteThat was my first thought for you.
I'd choose the Gawd-awful 12-hour cold and be done with it.
ReplyDeleteThere are few things I can think of that would make me want to hang it up but if I could not enjoy books in some form (reading or listening) it would be a difficult life indeed. But I'm so optimistic I think I could somehow manage to adapt even to that.
I think all of us can relate to "the burn" as we age. Thank goodness for the curative powers of hot soaks and mineral salts.
Carolyn,
DeleteYou and me on ripping off the bandage. The more I think about it, I would most likely find a plan B also.
Love my Epson salts.
We are finally beginning to recover from our marathon gardening week. The rain has returned and it is colder again too, so there will only be greenhouse gardening this week. By the time we can get back out in the yard, there will be plenty more to do, but it is still too cold to plant seeds or tender plants.
ReplyDeleteI have thought about that time when I can no longer garden, and then chose not to think about it.
Also, like DJan, I would be lost without my eyesight. I have my eye exam today, and so far, so good. The cataracts are not progressing and there is no sign of macular degeneration yet.
Linda R,
DeleteYou and Tom amaze me at all you accomplish. I wouldn't be able to walk after just one day that you two put in gardening. Hats off to you.
We do need to keep our eyes bright and I am glad you are doing so well.
I am dreading the "burn" that I know I will get when I start working outside. I have been a lazy slug this winter and I should have been doing some stretches or something to keep some flexibility. Walking around on uneven surfaces isn't easy for me with my old injury (broken ankle) which left me with a foot that doesn't move like it once did, so that also makes yard work more of a challenge. But I do what I can and most of my flowers are in pots on the patio that I have to water most often, so that helps. The perennials can fend for themselves! The veggie garden is getting smaller every year due mostly to too many deer that like to eat everything in sight. As for the cold/flu, I'd rather get it over with as quickly as possible! I'm happy you are feeling much better now. Take care and enjoy your gardening. Don't overdo, tho. :)
ReplyDeleteCheryl,
DeleteLike you, I had a pretty relaxing winter which is why the extra burn now.
Hope your foot lets you get out and play in the dirt. I'd give up my veggies if I could trade them for deer.
I'd go the softer gentler route with the cold. 12 hours wishing for death doesn't sound like a lot of fun to me.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder about the gardening aches and pains. It will be another 6 weeks before I'll be in the gardening mode (it snowed today - spring was short!)
For me it is the fear of losing my eyesight. I'm not sure I could adapt to a world where I could not read, craft, watch television or play on my computer.
Enjoy playing in the dirt!
Eileen,
DeleteWell when you put it that way of "wishing for death", you might have a point:))
Eyesight is so important for our entertainment and freedom that it would be a high priority.
If I ever reach a point where I cannot arrange flowers, I will probably die.
ReplyDeleteFunny you should mention the burn. I broke my clavicle on March 8th, and when I move my shoulder a certain way - it burns like the fires of Hell (I imagine). And I know - you'll say - don't move it that way.
Judy,
DeleteCan't imagine you not arranging. You do keep beating your self up lady. It sounds like you have nerve involvement--nerves cause a burning sensation. I do hope you find relief and soon.
Does eating ice cream count as an activity??? Ok seriously, if I could no longer read, I would hang it up.
ReplyDeleteKieth,
DeleteWonderful to see you here Keith. Funny about ice cream but I know you and Beate are addicts. I agree, no books would make life quite bleak.
Bless you Patti, you almost make aches and pains, and other such "burns" fun! Thank you for your delightful sense of humour. A twinkle in the eye and a laugh, even when it hurts a bit, is wonderful medicine!
ReplyDeletePeter,
DeleteGood to see you here my friend. I guess I should have said "when I can no longer find humor in life, I'll hang it up."
I feel the burn walking from the couch to the kitchen:-)
ReplyDeleteAnnie,
DeleteHa ha, it is just that tiny trip this winter that has left me in such an ouchie state today.
I too, think there is absolutely nothing like gardening. I love it. although not so long ago, I thought I would be ready to die when I could no longer dance. Well, it is and I'm not. I am still able to dance but social dancing is just about all younger people and if they are dancing ballroom, I don't recognize it. I did give up dancing but gardening, is a second best. If I could no longer do the gardening, I have a 3rd best and that is spinning and knitting. I think that about covers me..... hahaha
ReplyDeleteManzi,
DeleteYou have the perfect remedy. It never hurts to have a plan B , C and D. I need to get thinking about alternatives. Thanks
No storage for me, hopefully. I can tell that even with the burn, you are one happy woman to be out there gardening.
ReplyDeleteInger,
DeleteYou are too young to even think storage. You bet and I'll do it as long as I can.
Inger,
DeleteYou are too young to even think storage. You bet and I'll do it as long as I can.
Yikes that's it. I'm retiring from gardening....
ReplyDeleteTB
DeleteHa ha, no--hang in there. The burns go away in time.
I'm with you about gardening! I hope the fact that reading and gardening--solitary activities--doesn't mean that I'm anti-social. I've had gawdawful cold since last Friday. Virus must have blown over from Arkansas. Wish the rain had come instead!
ReplyDeleteMary lee,
DeleteOh no, I hope you are all better now. I am still carrying mine around with me but am hoping for the best. Think it is going around.
As for the cold sweet Patti, I prefer to have neither but if I could choose I would go the shortest route. Hope all your burns have healed and you are enjoying gardening. There are several things I have not been able to do since injuries beginning a few years back but I am not ready to hang it up. I am learning to compensate as best I can. So far I have done some pruning, raking and picking up yard debris with no burning, hope I can keep that up. I did have to hire someone to keep my yard mowed though, I cannot do that any longer. Hope all is well with you sweet friend. Hugs and nose kisses all around from me and mine.
ReplyDeleteMaggie,
DeleteKnow what you mean. I have scaled back but haven't quit yet. I am pretty much going at the same pace you are. May we both keep it going.
Your "burns" sound like Old Age to me ... ain't it fun? 6 years ago (when I was at the young age of 77 I posted about the exercises that I do daily even though I hate doing them. They are so easy and take about 12 minutes. I think it's time to post them again because, even though I have painful and severe scoliosis I can still get through a day if I adhere to those exercises.
ReplyDeleteGinnie,
DeleteAh, they use to get me when I was younger also. Any new activity will find new muscles. You are smart keeping the exercises up. Our lives are what effort we put into them. I need to work on flexibility the most.
Patti, I'm not as able to do some things as I was, and it takes longer to do the things I can. It's hard to tell my youngish brain that my oldish body can't do everything it used to do without a care. I have found that yoga and running is helping.
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling better soon.
The burn means we are still kicking, so I'll take it over the alternative.
This is exactly why I don't garden anymore. You have shamed me girl! All I have to do is squat down to clean up Katie's urp and I suffer sore thigh muscles for a week. I walk everyday 12000 plus steps, but apparently one good deed does not spread further than the muscle used.. (I got terrific butt muscles, if I can ever find a good use for that!) ROFL! Maybe I should include a few squats. I planted my pansies but I put the planter on the table. I am the epitome of LAZY. Happy Easter sweet lady!
ReplyDeleteI cannot garden as the mold in soil irritates my breathing. Here nothing can be put in the gtound till end of May after frost is over.
ReplyDeleteI would opt for no colds ever.
So glad you're feeling the burn again this year, Patti. I rode bike today chasing spring toward Aspen. I think I'm going to be stiff tomorrow (another bike day). It would be very hard for me if I couldn't be physically active. I'm thinking now of all those good veggies you're going to have, fresh from the garden!
ReplyDelete