Connect
What activity do you refuse to give up? How do you adapt to age?
I spent the afternoon in my favorite place - my yard and garden. I have gardened since the age of 9, had my own gardens for 54 years, been a Master Gardener volunteer for over 20 years and in two very different climates. I'm not "old" at 74 but I have a lot challenges with arthritis, bad shoulders, bad lungs, occasional vertigo...
While "removing winter" and preparing for the new season, I thought a lot about how to simplify 8 very different garden beds so I can manage them going forward.
Here are my ideas so far:
Simplify:
Replace annuals with tough perennials and attractive ground covers. Replace aggressive perennials with low-care shrubs.
Replace high-maintenance plants like roses with natives and other easy-care plants.
Use natural mulch and ground covers to keep weeds down, instead of wood chips that need to be replaced often.
Adapt:
Use mulch, Preen and ground cover to reduce weeds.
Hire help for the heavy work, and for intense seasonal tasks like "putting the gardens to bed." Even once or twice a year is a big help.
Put heavy patio pots on wheels for ease in moving.
Reduce:
Smaller gardens. A few vegetables in pots instead of a big garden (after all, you can get produce to can or freeze at the local Farmers' Market and support small businesses.)
Shrubs, decorations and landscape rocks in place of dozens or hundreds of plants.
Plant an "esy care" lawn rich in native clover or other ground cover and tough low-need, low-growing grasses.
Automate:
Irrigate with drip lines set on timers, or and irrigation system. The initial investment pays off over time.
What is your favorite activity, and how can you adapt as you go forward?
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aging Well Support Group.
Connect
I am going to continue to race my sailboat as long as I can. Thank God I am near the junior sailing program so the racer kids come and sail with me! They learned about bigger boats I am kept young by the general level of joy we all have together!
And I’m going to keep skiing in the winter as long as my body holds up. Not as fast as brave as I used to be, which wasn’t much to start with when I started skiing in my 40s!
As I tell people when I am attempting to jog along with some of my walking “ if I am moving I am not dead yet!“ 😁
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
6 ReactionsI refuse to give up playing my electric bass and singing. At 75, I am in two bands - one bluegrass and one a band that plays songs about trains spanning all genres, plus I am a member of a gospel choir. I perform regularly in all 3. I almost don't believe that I am doing so much. But, I feel very blessed to have the stamina, energy and drive!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
8 Reactionsme too. am 82. still. lift not heavy but still. pump. iron
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
8 ReactionsSue-
I have read your posts, as you know, and this one again about your daughter reminds me of what I, this single person that I have been all these long years, realized many moons ago. Once you have a child peace of mind goes out the window.
I am sure you have been a great example, in terms of showing so many and your daughter, of how to keep on keeping on ...... and making all the adjustments that come along for various reasons.
Barbara
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionThanks so much for sharing your inventive ways of continuing to enjoy the things you have enjoyed. For me the lesson is to not expect to be able to do the same things forever, but to be willing to alter or invent so I can keep on doing, but maybe not doing exactly what I was doing before. Thank you!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
5 ReactionsExactly! I am discovering new interests (like Braille) and inventive ways to do things which I find kind of exciting. Do I grieve about the changes in my vision? Yes, definitely. But I am learning (out of necessity) all the time. I’m happy to know I can still learn and change.
I want to be as positive a roll model of aging as I can be. Macular degeneration runs in my family. I want my kids to see me living a good full life with it. I try and remember that as difficult as aging is, it is a privilege not everyone gets.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
11 ReactionsThat sounds like it would really be relaxing. I'll have to Google gel pens and coloring books and give it a try.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionSo inspiring to read all this! I'll add in something a bit different. My favorite thing to do is hang with my friends, usually one on one, and talk about life and even gossip a tad. Everyone's hearing is getting worse, so I look for a quiet cafe. When young I could have a heart to heart in a crowded bar, but no longer! Sometimes I worry that I'm too preoccupied with myself--health worries, pain, and more. I never want to lose the ability to listen to others, and care about their concerns. And find out interesting news that expands my understanding of how to be a person.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
11 ReactionsI never intend to stop learning.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsWhat a great reminder to stay socially active and not become a recluse - which is not good for our health. I think I'll invite a friend to coffee, at a quiet cafe.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
6 Reactions