Compassion For Physically Challanged Gardeners #14

Katie, Glad you got the antibiotics. Be sure to take everylast one. Eat well balanced meals to get your strength back.Take good care of yourself. We need your friendship.
Am sorry about your sholders tplant. Hope you get some releif soon. Will you have surgery done?
I have CHF and was told not to lift anything over 5 lbs. Yeah Right. Am still alive and kicking.
Here,s to a pain free day.

Tplant, I'm so sorry about your shoulders. I know you're having a rough spell right now. Please keep coming back and posting. And always remember that your friends are here for you.

My ear is getting better. A little stuffiness but no pain.

I have an orange tree with blossom buds on it. I also have some beds down in the arroyo that are ready for yacon crowns and whatever else I decide to plant. I have so many old seeds that I may just put a lot of them in with the yacon and see if anything grows.

But I don't think I'll be doing much today. Still low energy. I juiced some fresh vegetables yesterday and may do more today. I have a lot of carrots which tend to make the other vegetables palatable. Also got jumbo shrimp yesterday and ate far too many of them.

Our weather is beginning to warm up. I've got some hollyhock plants started. I have lots of fences for them to grow by.

Time to get out and enjoy the day while doing dishes and laundry.

hugs all around, katie

Katiebear, I am so glad you got antibiotics for your ear infection. Being hearing impaired is a serious nuisance and you miss out on a lot of funstuff. I resort to V8 to get veggies into Jim and Nadine. I still haven't convinced Jim that Catsup does not count as a vegetable. :-)
Tplant, sorry to hear about your shoulders. Have you tried glucosamine chondroitin with MSM? "Triple Flex", the brand I use is about $16 a bottle, but it is much more effective when it contains MSm in my experience. It might ease the pain a bit. Prayers you find something that will help.
Did some warmer weather make it up the mountainside, Vickie? Kay*

Won't have surgery because my doctor tells me it is to dangerous at my age and all my health problems. It breaks my heart to see all my magnificent roses, Datura, Brugmansia, Orange tree, Mango tree, Star fruit tree and lawn all messed up with weeds. It has gotten so bad for me to see this that I no longer sit out on my deck in the morning with my coffee. I used to admire all my work and so did strangers as I used to pass out roses to them. It was terrible enough losing my "Scooter" but now my beautiful landscaping. There really is nothing left for me here. Knowing that I can't do anything about it breaks my spirit and all I can do is sit and dream of better days.

Ted, there's no grandchild or neighbor you can hire to weed? As you said, grin and bear it is sometimes all you can do.

Just now my money is limited as I used one of those debt agencies to reduce my debts which was well over $10,000. The money was spent on lawn equipment, plants, containers, 21 earthboxes plus container mix, fertilizers and a $1600 BBQ plus car repairs well over $3000. It is amazing how it piled up so quickly and when they raised interest rates I decided to use the payment service because that made me angry. I send them $550 per month and have only three more months to go. At that time I will hire a lawn service to cut and weed and share the cost with my son.

Ted, You might also check with community agencies, churches, and non-profits in your area. The ones around here usually have service programs for volunteers and kids who are good, but maybe got into a little trouble, and need community service hours. You'd probably need to sit out there and tell them which is a plant and which is a weed, but that wouldn't be too bad, would it? :-) And you'd be helping them at the same time. Barter system is the way to go. LOL

Debra

Wow, Ted, I'm sorry to hear about that; I didn't know.

Three years ago I told my son "I've never been so happy in all my life." Then things changed. First my second heart attack or M.I. as they call it which brought on my Post Polio Syndrome to a higer level of weakness to my body followed by severe and extremely painful rheumatoid arthritis of the shoulders which stopped me cold from pulling weeds in my container garden which I had to let them go cause I couldn't pay for a gardener and then my precious "Scooter" died and I just lost it and didn't want to live anymore but something told me to see a therapist and I did for at least six months. She did help and thank goodness I still had my EBs but 21 were to much for me to handle so I gave Flip 14 and kept the rest. Ebs are great because I don't have to weed but I feel useless as my legs are very weak and I must use a cane to walk on the lawn to work my EBs. Thank goodness for them otherwise I wouldn't be able to do any gardening.
I will soon use six EBs for watermelon which are very easy to grow. I have a self watering system thanks to my good buddy BocaBob and will plant mostly Crimson Sweet and experiment with a couple of others I still live with my family so I can not afford my own place at this time therefore I can not replace "Scooter" which would make all the difference in my happiness as I soon will be 74 and don't know how much time I have. I have a slow heartbeat and don't want a pacemaker as that would make me live longer and I don't want to be in anyones way. I died in 98 with my first severe Myocardial Infarcation and it was a beautiful experience and I did not want to come back. Since then I have signed a "non-resusciation" order. Sorry to be so negative but that is the way it is! Forgive me?

Ted, I think you are doing what you can to make the best of a difficult situation. You had a near-death experience and didn't want to come back. I had a similar experience when I was quite young; I almost died and I wanted to "go back" to wherever it was I had been (before I was born). I knew I was going to have a rough time in my family of origin and I was right. We had a family doctor who sat by my bed all of one night when I was sickest. I think he willed me to stay alive. They never did diagnos a disease or other problem. As I see it, the doctor's will was stronger than mine at that time so I'm still here seventy years later. I've had some other experiences which also lead me to believe that there is something there for us after death. And when you're dealing with a lot of physical pain and the depression that accompanies it, your atitude is understandable.

I'm really sorry you can't get another dog. I would be lost without mine. Do you have any neighbors who have dogs that you could visit. Not the same, but it might help. Cats can also be good companions if that's a possibility.

Most of all, please keep coming back and keep posting. I'm just recovering from an ear infection that had me lalid low for six weeks. It was accopanied by a problem with my closest neighbors. Being here was a huge help in getting me through it. Now I just have arthritis, a bon spur in my right foot and a few other "minor" problems.

This forum and especially this thread are for people like us - we often have trouble getting through the days while people around us have no clue as to what is happening for us.

Hugs for everyone and an extra big one for Ted,
katie

Thank You Katie. We do have two cats and they seem to feel my distress. One sits on my lap every chance she gets. She is a sweet cat as is the other a manx that wandered into our home one day and never left. She does not like to be petted or brushed for any length of time. I do love both of them and they do help with my depression. I am on strong heart, arthritis, pancreas and clonzepam and lexpro for post traumatic stress but I still have my difficult days which is quite often.

I, too, had a near death experience, but at the time I was mother to two little girls who would then have been the custody of their birth father. I knew I couldn't go and leave them with him but it would have been soooooooooooooooo easy!

Hi, Ted. Hang in there! I know where you’re coming from. I haven’t turned 50 yet, but I’m currently in the transition from ambulatory to wheelchair and have to deal with the chronic pain that is part of Degenerative Disk Disease. It is overwhelming and depressing when I look toward the future. I’ve decided to live one day at a time and let the future take care of itself. That is how I keep going. I am finding that this new approach is sort of liberating. Now that I’m not focused on the future, I can appreciate all the small joys of daily life again. I guess when you can’t change anything else, you can still change your mind and attitude. (Jim)

Some really nice people, here, Ted. Many in similar positions. Some not so bad, but hurting, too. ALL willing to lend an ear. Keep posting, it helps.

If only I could have another Shih-Tzsu but my son and DIL just don't seem to understand my deep hurt. Someday they will and it will be to late. I pray to God every day for help and understanding, I must deal with the pain but the lonliness of losing my "scooter" I just can't seem to get over it. I'm trying to find somewhere else to live but I just don't have enough of a monthly income . All I have is SS and it just doesn't cut it. The bad financial mistakes that I made in the past really hurt me. I never thought I'd be living with my son? Don't get me wrong I paid my own way and took care of the outside of the home and it was beautiful but now it has gone to weeds as I can no longer maintain it and my son has a very bad back and is mostly in pain. He is under MD care. We really need a lawn service but he is hesitant to find one. Perhaps he feels he will be getting better and be able to do the job but I seriously doubt it as once a bad back always a bad back. How I wish a sweet, loving dog would wander onto our property like our two cats did.

Shih-Tzu are so adorable! They look like little ewoks to me. ~Nadine~

Hi Ted, Glad you're here. I understand how you feel. I have 3cats and 2 dogs. all are priceless but there is a big difference in how they respond to me. Cats are they're own person. They allow me to love them. A dog is my buddy,my friend.They are wholeheartedly into being my friends. Sure hope you can find a shih tzu.Tho i suspect any little dog would do wonders. I'm glad the cats allow you to love them.
I'm on SS also plus 2 small retirement checks. I own my mobile home and even tho its mine my DD owns the land. Am not an extravagent person. So i do well.
I guess people who have'nt gone thru what we do cannot really understand our frustrations sometimes. Thats why i'm so grateful for the friendship of the great people of this forum.
Vickie

So, Ted, it seems to me that both you AND your DS should be getting SSDI. Or I guess you're past the point where you need to prove a disability to the SSA. He can get SSDI if he's been laid up for a year with back pain even if he eventually hopes to go back to work. Or maybe he's like my DH, uses up his sick time and days off hurting and then goes back to work and doesn't say anything.

carrie -- That is my son exactly. He doesn't want to lose his retirement. Plus the land we are on is school property and if he is inactive we must sell our mobile home as it is almost paid for and it would be a shame plus find a new home.

Oh, Ted, I sympathize! It's hard to feel understanding when you're dependent on someone else to do everything and the someone else in question has his own health issues...

I came back to Alabama thinking I would take care of my godfather. A doctor told me I was showing the symptoms of the disease Depression, but I didn’t accept it at first. I thought what I was experiencing was the everyday sort of depression because I was working too many hours in a stressful job and not getting ahead. My godfather and the others here ended up taking care of me until I finally accepted I do have a medical problem and started taking meds. So, now I’m doing okay and I will be taking care of him. Right?
Yesterday, I slipped on ice and twisted my ankle. (Just a bad sprain, but now I have to stay off my feet as much as possible so it will heal right. There isn’t always a clear division between caregiver and care recipient around here. A case could be made there is always some give and take. Even professional caregivers are dependent on those receiving care for their paycheck. We all shore up each other by doing what we can. We are managing so far.
I’ve been a couch potato today, but I spent an hour on the phone with a friend in Texas who is snowed in alone. I think she was glad I was here and not too busy to spend time talking to her. What was that movie called that starred James Stewart about the man who got to see what things would be like if he wasn’t around? I know I’m glad all of you are around.
Are you doing okay, Debra? My friend doesn’t live that much north of you. She only had electrical power periodically. ~Nadine~.

Jimmy Stewart in "It's a Wonderful Life." Love that movie too. Sometimes it is good to look back and see some good things we've done in life.And good done for us.
Oh, Nadine, Your poor ankle.Do take care of it.
We're going to try to get into town tomorrow. I'm going to KFC and have some fried chicken than back home to watch the ballgame.
Our weatherman told us today to look forward to Valentines weekend as we should have great weather then.

Nadine, think I am depressed a little, too. Last few weeks, I don't want to do anything, not even post on the threads--which have been my lifeline. :-) I truly look forward to your posts. They are fun and entertaining and thoughtful. So you should know that your caregiving "effects" extend beyond PJ. Can't wait to meet you and Kay and Jim. Hope that trip comes to fruition.

Vickie, be careful.

Debra

Carrie -- It is plain miserable getting old and disabled and having to depend on my son for a roof over my head. How things have changed. I was well respected in the business world and rubbed elbows with the best and now I'm denied permission to have a little dog to replace my Scooter. I have gone for therapy and it did help plus I'm on post-traumatic stress syndrome medication and it does help. It is just hard for me to believe my situation? Life has thrown me a very mean curve emotionally and healthwise. I hope it ends soon---

I agree, Ted. Old age is a #*%X@! I was told not to mention my DH getting a scooter in front of my FIL. They are afraid that if he had another scooter he might hurt himself. I can understand their concern, but I’m a little older than my husband so I see it differently. My FIL is in his late 80’s, for goodness sake. When you reach that age you should be allowed to do whatever you darn well please, as long as it’s legal. They want to give him as many days, as possible. They just don’t seem to understand that it is not about preserving existence, it is about the quality of LIFE.
It is a Catch 22 for the caregiver, though. If my FIL gets another scooter and something bad does happen, my SIL is afraid people will blame her or the professional caregiver. The problem is there are so many people equate caring for elderly or disabled adults with caring for children.
There was a wonderful program for retired guide dogs for the blind. When an active blind person had to retire a dog due to the dog’s age, they were given to older people as pets. A blind person can go through five or more dogs in a lifetime and while some blind people do keep their retired dogs, it is not recommended. The older person got a rigorously trained, usually pure bred, companion and the dog got the retirement it deserved after years of faithful service. (Guide dogs have developed a NEED for close human companionship. It isn’t just German shepherds and Labradors. There are schools that use many different breeds. No Shih-Tzu, of course. But, standard-size poodles are sometimes used. Would your son be more open to an adult dog that had been well trained? I think you have a decade or so on me and I know I would be hesitant to take on training and caring for a puppy. Keeping Fenny-dog from taking over the house is becoming quite a challenge for me. Kay*

I'm having a blond moment. Help me out here someone. Scooter was the little dog's name? And, the dog's name just got Mama Kay thinking about Grandpa Smith and the scooter (as in mobility device) issue. She has strong feelings about that. Your son is not denying you a mobility device. Have I got it or do I need to dye my hair? I would do it, if I thought it would help. ~N~

there are many wonderful canine rescue groups. One that I recently dealt with is -Carolina Poodle Rescue- I have a new family member-Pookie , a 4-5 yer old Mini. He and Elvis get along famously. I actually believe that they may be related. Elvis was purchased from an excellent breeder in Cary NC and Pookie was rescued as a stray along with another mini (white) in the Raleigh/Durham area (basically all within 20 miles or so of each other). CPR has all 3 sizes of Poodles + a few other breeds as well. Check out the web site. Anyway, they look just alike in the face and head shape + have some of the exact same barks or whine sounds. My groomer even mentioned her thoughts on the subject
I truly believe that Pookie is a gift from God to help both me and Elvis with the transitions his very Sr years are and will be bringing.

Here's a side view of the two of them---I think it is rather amazing!!
Elvis is on the left with the long fluffy Poodle ears. Pookie must have a teenie bit of mix in him as his ears are more spaniel fringed than long & fluffy


Sheri, Elvis & Pookie

Elvis and Pookie look like they can be a handful. I'm happy for you.
Ted can you sit down and talk to your son and tell him how much a DOG would mean to you? I agree that a grown dog might be a better answer for you.
I'm 70 also and sometimes i worry about my future if i can nolonger care for my self. My memory gets worse all the time, but i'm going to hang on as long as i can.
God and Angels have taken care of me this long. Don't think they'll stop cause i'm getting old.
You have always taken care of yourself and it's hard to change roles now Try to look at it as "I've done my bit now i can relax and find other things to injoy."You've got a good mind so put it to work to make things better for yourself. Could you write an article for DG? Keep a journal? Maybe go to the Beginner forums to help others with questions. Sometimes it is we ourselves who are the only source for helping ourselves. Hang in there Ted!
Good luck with the dog.
Vickie

Sanas87 --- "Scooter" was my dog . She was a magnificent companion and was always by my side. When my family would go away for a day or long week-end which was very common my other faithfull companion , my wonderful grandsonof 7yrs old, would of course go with them. My son stopped asking me to join them because I was in to much pain and really felt better at home but lonely. This is where my dog would always cheer me up just by her loving glance and playfulness. She loved everyone and everyone loved her. She was a very proud little girl because she was always fresh and clean-cut as I took her to the groomer frequently and she just loved to go.My grandson is my best friend and loves me very much but there is still a huge hole in my heart which no one seems to care about as my family is wrapped up in their own daily lives.

At this moment, I can't remember who all did the studies, but I remember reading that there have been several scientific medical studies showing that pet owners are healthier and have a better general sense of well-being than those who do not have pets. Pets are especially good at helping with stress.
My wife does complain about Fenny's antics, but when our neighbor's goats started disappearing and Fenny was a suspect, DW was willing to fight to keep her.
It is the other of our two dogs that is Kay's loyal and faithful companion. Fenny is more like the comic relief. Kay's attempts to train Fenny are reminisent of an Abbott and Costello movie. (Jim)

LOL I knew Fenny was special. She has a mind of her own.
Just finished watching a show telling of the intelligence of dogs. Which all dog owners already know.Course they're smart. Is Fenny still bringing up yard lights? My dogs are geneally well behaved. It's the cats that drive me to distraction.
We have broken all snow records with abt 20 inches of snow. Tonight we may break all low temp record for this date. -5*. I need some tropical breezes. Quickly!!
I should be housecleaning but am reading and crocheting instead. I would hate for anyone to visit me at the moment.Theyed have to clear a path-----Thru the house as well as through the yard.
Vickie

Tplant needs a pet or maybe a house plant. My DDs are allergic to dogs so I've never quite "got" that connection, but I understand it exists.

Vickie, I learned my lesson. All the solar lights are up on post out of reach of dogs and kids. No more ghostly manifestations in the woods.
We have learned that Fenny’s feet are ticklish. You can ever so lightly stroke the hairs that extend beyond the pads of Fenny’s paws and make her squirm. We are using that as a way to get her to behave.
I was rudely awakened this morning to Tater-dog barking at maximum volume on Kay’s side of the bed. Fenny had stolen Tate’s beloved stuffed pink elephant and tossed it in our bed. Tate was protesting the theft. I don’t know if Tate’s hips are so bad she couldn’t reach up and retrieve her toy or she just thought doing so would be impolite. Either way, we’ve decided Fenny is responsible for the rude awakening and have jointly decided to fight back. Every time Fenny has tried to nap during the day, someone sneaks over and tickles her feet. Maybe, she will sleep tonight instead of bedeviling old Tate. When she gets the normal amount of exercise she isn’t so mischievous. Fenny REALLY doesn’t like the cold, wet weather and doesn’t want to go outside and run. There were snow flurries this morning, but it didn’t survive long on the ground. I think everyone is getting cabin fever. Nadine wrapped up her ankle with an elastic bandage and went out for dinner, just to get away from the house for awhile. She went by the Mission Store to say “Hi” to everyone and came up with an idea. She suggested we pot up all the azaleas and oleanders we are removing from the landscape, give them a little recovery time in the pots, and take them to the Rescue Mission Thrift Store when the azaleas start to bloom. The plants will have new homes rather then just being tossed out. I like that idea. They are healthy plants. They just aren’t good ones to have around where there are honeybee hives. (Jim)

The first thing that came to mind this morning was the way my friend described having congestive heart failure. He said he woke up in the wolf hours of the morning with a terrible feeling of pressure in his chest. He described the sensation as “like having an elephant sitting on your chest.” To top it all off, his bassett hound, sensing his distress, started howling.
Thinking of my friend, put things into prespective. Waking up with a dusty, dog drooled, fluffy pink elephant sitting on your chest didn’t seem so bad. And, even though Valentine does have a loud bark, it doesn’t compare to that unearthly sound a Bassett hound makes. Officially, my dog’s name is Valentine. Not Tate, Tater-dog or Miss Potatohead. She is much smarter than she seems. She is predominately yellow Labrador so the poor dear has to deal with that blond sterotype. :-)
Carrie, if you catch any pet owner at the right moment, (such as 4:30 in the morning when their beloved pet is barking in their ear.) they would probably tell you they envy you your pet free existence. Kay*

Hi y'all!
Just popping n to say hello. I haven't been here in forever. I have to confess to following Ted over here. He's my hero. He taught me everything I know about tomatoes and earthboxes. I'll be starting my tomato seeds this week-end and noticed his name pop up on this forum so wandered over to catch up.

This has been *one rough winter ... hasn't it? We haven't had any snow here on the GA/FL border, but it's been waaay too cold for me!

Ted, I know too well what a hole losing a furfriend can leave. I am another that wishes you could get another companion.

I don't know how many of you know that I lost my guide dog last Feb and am happily owned by an 85 lb black lab named Moses. He's awesome!

To those of you suffering from depression, I was in the grips of it when I lost my girl last year. I didn't want to even get out of bed. I had depended on her for so long, and the wait for getting in a school was longer. It was the first time in a long time I felt "blind".

Okay, off to start trying to narrow down which seeds I'm going to do ... I always over order. I only have space for 24.

Thank You for your most gracious compliment! Our weather here has quickly turned to summer with 80* temps. What nis going on? I don't know how much more gardening I'll be able to do because given the fact that EBs are the best for the people but a true blessing for the disabled I can not lift or strain my shoulder as they ARE IN VERY SERIOUS condition and can snap very easily and then I must have the dangerous surgery for me. My challenge is how to move the EBs without getting hurt? I can not depend on any help.

Birdie, Elvis and Pookie do look related.
I01, Moses is a big guy! Black labs are my favorite large breed. They look sleeker than yellow or chocolate labs to me. I think Fenny is a black lab mix. I asked the vet once, but he just laughed and said he is only 98% sure Fenny is a dog.
That is sad, Tplant. I follow your tomato growing thread as well. I’m in my early 20’s so I’m a newbie gardener. Most newbie garden books seem to be written by and/or for northeast, mid-Atlantic and mid-west gardeners. There are some good books on ornamental gardening in the deep south, but I haven’t found any good ones for vegetable gardening with a southern accent. I guess garden writer’s think, if you grew up in the south, you automatically picked up all the garden basics you need to know by osmosis or something.
Peace has returned to our little kingdom. Tater…I mean Valentine slept in MK's bedroom with the door closed so Fenny couldn’t pick on her and Fenny and I were spared Taterdog’s loud snoring. Everyone got a good night’s sleep with the noisy sleepers separated from the restless sleepers and all are satisfied.
I’m sorry, but Miss Potatohead (a.k.a.: Tater-dog) does suit MK’s dog better than Valentine. She does the dumbest things sometimes. MK is dismantling the dog pen to make room for another garden in that corner. (The dog’s both have perimeter collars so we don’t need a dog pen anymore.) Tater, as usual, was following her around as she worked. Fenny was going in and out of the pen freely since the gate wasn’t latched. Shouldering the gate open to get out and nosing it open to go in. But, MK had to stop work and hold the gate open for Tater every time she went in or out. If the gate was closed, Tate seemed to believe she couldn’t go in or out. Even though Fenny was going in and out right in front of her and the north portion of the fence was already gone, Tater would stand at the gate and bark forsomeone to open it.
A few nights ago, I put the curtain from in front of the sliding glass door in the laundry and cleaned the glass. While the curtain was still in the dryer, Tater was standing in front of the glass growling at her reflection. I don’t know if she thought there was another dog outside who happened to look just like her or if she was practicing looking intimidating in front of the make-shift mirror, but I laughed until my side hurt. Fenny is not the only comic relief around here.
How many cats are there sheltering at your house now, Vickie? ~Nadine~

I prefer to think my darling is such a regal lady she just expects certain considerations, like having doors opened for her. Perhaps, we can settle on calling her “Queen Tater.” lol.
I’m so glad you have a new dog, Susan.
Has anyone seen Katiebear on other DG forums? I’m just wondering if she is sick or something. Kay*

Nadine, I'd get you a dog DNA kit, but then that would spoil it. :-)

Kay, Queen Tater sounds perfect.

Ted, those EBs look like something even I could do.

Jim, Fenny is one smart dog.

Carrie, Vickie, Susan, Sheri...Hi, hope you are staying as warm as you can. :-)

Kay and Jim, I'm still laughing at the antics at your place.

Nadine, you have a wonderful since of humor and a great way with words. LOL

Debra, EBs are just perfect. I have 15 and my goal is for 16. After all, and odd number is such a pathetic thing. hahaha This gives me 12 for tomatoes, which translates into 24 plants, 2 for cucumbers and 1 for peppers. If I add 1 more, I could have 2 more tomatoes! ☺ Ted is the one that got me hooked on them. No weeding!

Moses is such a smart guy, but I have never heard him make but 1 tiny "woof". I threw his frisbee over the fence, and I think he was saying "I want my frisbee back." My DH says he hasn't had anything else to complain about at least. I can tell you one thing, being active again has sure changed my outlook on things. I didn't realize how depressed I had gotten.

Carrie, I want to tell you how much I always enjoy all your wonderful articles. No matter what your topics are, they are always interesting.

Okay, I'll have to go way back to remember everyone, so forgive me if I can't speak to everyone. Will just ~ to anyone I've missed. Thanks for the welcome back. ~Susan