Schenectady Synecdoche

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May 17, 2006

Life lessons

I last did any serious gardening when I was in grad school. I got my PhD in 1984. I was 38 at the time.

So in 2006 I take up gardening again. And I discover that things have, er, changed. Things in my joints and tendons. And I'm walking around in screeching pain from gardening.

That's been going on for lo these 2-3 weeks. Gradually, though, I'm finding out how to garden as an "active senior." (Gotta love that term. It is toooo funny. I'm in my golden years, get it?) I've learned how to throw one leg behind me when I'm sitting on the ground, so that I don't twist my back the wrong way and aggravate the scoliosis. I've learned to use a thick pad to kneel on, so that my bum knee doesn't come down on a r-o-c-k. I've learned to wear extra-wide sneakers and have the left one laced as loose as possible without its coming off when I walk, so that I don't put undue pressure on the arthritis in the top of my left foot. I've learned that when I stand up from a sitting or kneeling position, I should put the pressure on the right foot and the left hand and then swing back and rise. That way—yeah, it's the bum knee and bum foot issues again.

What I'm trying to say is that when it comes to pain, denial doesn't work. Coping does. I can still garden for hours at a time. I just have to do it like a smart person.

And for those of you waiting for garden pix: They're coming. Our Nikon Coolpix 990 has completely given up the ghost, and BP promises to get online tonight and track down a good (but not so pricey) replacement. Suggestions appreciated. Photo-challenged, I'll tell you that this evening I got the moss phlox, pinks, forget-me-nots, Mystery Vine, and some munstead lavender in. Once I have a camera again, I'll post pix of the Mystery Plants and see if anybody can help me ID them. The Mystery Vine has stumped and appalled all comers so far.

Posted by senioritis at May 17, 2006 07:32 PM

Comments

Posted by: cbd at May 18, 2006 10:27 AM