Growing older really SUCKS!
Growing older really SUCKS!
I went out into the garden, bags of veggie seeds in hand to plant lettuces, radishes cucumbers and etc. But, in order to plant them, I needed to haul the step ladders up to the garden for the cucumber trellis. So...went into the rose garden where I stowed them last fall and in order to get to them, I needed to pull the way-too-many flowers and things that had grown up in the paths. Then I saw that some of the roses had fungus, so went up to the greenhouse and got the rose spray. Sprayed them and proceeded to work my way down into the "jungle" to retrieve the two step ladders. The rose spray bottle still in my hand. I was having to pull all the six-foot Larkspurs as I went and a bunch of other flowers, just to get down into the lower level where the step ladders were sitting. Good grief! Carried all the plant debris up the steps to the back of the garden where I made a pile of all the stuff I pulled. Back and forth, Back and forth. Finally, that was done, I was able to get one ladder. (Time was I could have easily carried both of them). Folded it up and walked down to the lower garden where I had planned to grow the Muncher cukes. They like the afternoon shade down there. I set the ladder in every available spot, but none looked right. I was a bit frustrated with my plan having gone awry. So, back up the hill with the step-ladder. (puff puff, puff). I still have the rose spray bottle in my hand for gosh sakes. I drop it off at the greenhouse and continue further on up the hill (puff Puff Puff!) to the big orchard garden to find a new location for growing my cucumbers. Decided on where they should go, but OMG! I have to hoe out two new places for them.where they are going to be set up. At this point, my lower back is starting to complain about ALL this walking! I go retrieve the shovel and hoe way down where I left them last night - on the back patio. Take them up the hill. Then walk back down to the rose garden to get the other step ladder. I hauled it up to the garden. Not too many years ago, I could have carried the both the tools AND the step-ladder in one trip!
Using the shovel, I prepared a place for one of the ladders. The old garden rose on the fence had sent out dozens of long runners and a good many were flopping down into the garden between the Okra plants and GRABBING ME! That'll never do.
So walked back down to my potting bench, got the clippers and walked back up to the garden. My back was REALLY griping by this time. It was laborious clipping all those prickly rose canes and walking over four feet to a place where I could toss them over the fence. Back and forth, clipping and tossing until the Okra was again visible and no rose canes to hook my skin and clothing with those gawd-awful thorns. I got snagged several times, so now I am bleeding and starting to get hot and sweaty.
The little House Wrens had built their nest in the Bluebird house at the back of the garden this year and were hopping about from tree to tree fussing about my presence, but especially the kittens who follow me everywhere. I was concerned about the kittens climbing the fence post and getting the wrens, so tied a piece of steel fencing in front of the birdhouse. I had bent into a "U" shape so it fit right around nicely. That should give them a bit more protection from pesky cats.
By this time, I am too worn out and realize I need to go take a break and eat something for breakfast. I hadn't eaten yet today. I was just too tired to do another thing. Needed to go put something on all my scratches and cool off.
And all I really had planned on doing was planting lettuces, radishes and some cucumbers.
Getting older really sucks!
~Annie
Added this picture - "Over the garden gate", taken May 18th, 2013. Looking into the Orchard Garden. You can only see the central area. I got the paths cleaned out today. Looks so much nicer! Darned Rolly Pollies ate both of those beautiful dark blue Petunias - overnight! They devoured them! Made me so mad!
I powdered their butts with some Sevin Dust. That'll fix em for eating my Petunias!
I got the cuke seeds sown this afternoon - also the radishes and lettuce too. Planted two hills of Cocozelle striped Squash.
This past Sunday, I set out 4 Pink Brandywine Tomato plants along the back behind the Jalapeno peppers (center back), and planted my onion sets. Everything is growing really well.
Afterward, I discovered some of the tomatoes and peppers have begun to set fruit. Can't wait for that first yummy tomato. I will take some new pics tomorrow.
This post was edited by sweetannie4u on Wed, May 29, 13 at 1:52
Comments (29)
roselee z8b S.W. Texas
10 years agolast modified: 9 years ago
kathi_mdgd
10 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRelated Discussions
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Comments (5)Kevin, that's too bad. Did any of your plants get damaged? My plants aren't out yet - procrastination, but a few weeks ago, we had winds that knocked over the empty shelves and lattice on the patio, shattering the Plexiglass sheet that lay on top to protect the plants from extended periods of rain. Bricks on the shelves & Plexiglass weren't enough to keep the shelves upright. The next day, the whole thing got blown over again, so I disassembled everything and laid it flat on the patio. I remember you advised me to secure the shelves to the 4"x4" deck supports on either side. This year, I'll do it. I'm glad your precautions prevented what could have been a catastrophe of epic, disproportionate squirrel proportions. Whitecat8...See MoreThis really Sucks
Comments (12)This has been such a harsh year for so many! Mark, I am so sorry that you lost your rose flush this spring. I know how we all wait in anticipation for that magical burst of colorful life. Your photo documents an incredible garden! May it return with resilience next spring. Ingrid and Jeri, not fires already?! Sending hopes of safety and relief to you both. I know that roses may not be foremost on your minds in the face of other events, but I also know how hard it is to watch the fragile pieces of your corners of heaven succumb to the heat and smoke. I'm so sorry. Ingrid, please know my concern and my thoughts are with you and yours (human and animals) as you wait and wonder, surrounded by fires and living in the middle of a state of emergency! I wish I had rain to send your way, but Portland hit the low nineties today. Unprecedented! Carol...See Moremy tomato plants suck. they really do. encouragement?
Comments (9)Don't give up! I failed on my first batch of seeds a few years ago and had to start over....didn't get a lot that season, but I did learn a lot about growing them from seed. Are you in an area with a fall growing season? You could try again. I start in the Jiffy pellets (which I know many people HATE, but it works for me...just gotta pull the netting off when I pot them). This year, I did it a bit differently and moved them out onto my shaded porch when they had almost all popped up, bringing them in on cool nights. I also moved them father into the light, and potted them up into cups with miracle grow potting mix when they had a couple sets of true leaves, so there was really no hardening off period when I was ready to put them in the garden because most of their little lives had been outside in the elements and the sun. I never have much luck with the lights, they are always leggy. Anyway, you just have to find the method that works for you....every season is a learning experience. You will always reflect and find things that went well and things that could be better and make changes for the next season....See MoreAging vs growing older
Comments (31)I didn't look at the website but I am definitely one who will try to look and feel my best - hopefully at whatever age! I do believe that attitude has alot to do with it. Of course we are all aging, but you can look your age or you can look great for your age. Staying active, healthy (well what we can do to be healthy, of course we have no control over the big picture), flexible, etc. makes a huge difference. I hope to never be someone who says "oh, I'm 50 (60, 80), I can't do that"! I do not try to make myself younger, but the best I can be at any given age. Having healthy habits can make a difference. I think our own Mitch is a perfect example!! FWIW, people are usually surprised to find out my age. My husband is the same way - he never stops. I truly think to keep moving makes a huge difference in our lives. We have some young just married friends who paid us a huge compliment. The husband happened to see my husband's driver's license, and he was shocked. So much so that he blurted out - you can't be that "old" - you're too much fun! LOL That's another bit of advice - have a variety of friends and even a variety of ages! The college girls where I work come in and talk with me about girl things and even voted me best dressed (in our building LOL). The male best dressed they picked is a few years older than me!...See Morekathi_mdgd
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