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
@sueinmn
I refuse to give up smiling, being playful, being silly, and doing downright weird things. I have a broad imagination when I paint. I see animals, people, dancers in my mishmash swirls of colors on the canvas.
I laugh hysterically at outrageous Comments people make regarding a news story. I see the humor in things others don’t.
I’m almost 76, and I have dementia so my life is changing rapidly. Hopefully, I won’t lose my sense of humor and wonder.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
27 ReactionsMusic studies have been with me all of my life, and in some way will be with me to the end.
Instrument building...I'm not sure. I'm in a slow process of focusing and perhaps completing a seven year design project. I've let go of materials and tools for completed/retired work. If instrument building concludes, I may go back to drawing and painting.
Hazel and I will walk daily as long as we can.
I hope to continue friendships with younger neighbors.
Coordinating garden and yard maintenance is a challenge for my wife and me. Our aging bodies help with this, as we both need to simplify and reduce the weight loads we haul.
Recognition of my age and aging is on my mind when I make decisions about what to undertake. I try to focus on completions and to avoid random expansion of projects. I have staked out my ground. My concern now is to work it as deeply as possible and to create a sense of order in my small world.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
16 ReactionsMaybe this should be posted as the motto for the Aging Well group!
"Recognition of my age and aging is on my mind when I make decisions about what to undertake. I try to focus on completions and to avoid random expansion of projects. I have staked out my ground. My concern now is to work it as deeply as possible and to create a sense of order in my small world."
My Mom called it "chapters" as she aged, and closed nearly every one with grace, going on to a newer, smaller venture.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
9 ReactionsSue wrote; "My Mom called it "chapters" as she aged, and closed nearly every one with grace, going on to a newer, smaller venture."
And sometimes you can finish the chapter and pass the book on to someone else for the next chapter!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
10 ReactionsI am working with being old, gracefully and not gracefully. I am 78 and in my early 70s I fell alot. That was me trying to continue with my life at the speed and complexity as when I was younger. Now I am more careful, thoughtful and slower and I haven't fallen in a year or two. I have adapted. I used to take myself very seriously; now I can laugh at myself. Laughing makes it easier on me and gets me more help from others. I am so happy with others helping me; I don't feel alone. Still it frustrates me that I can't walk the distance or speed that I used to. Also I misplace things frequently. I find it difficult to accept these things.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
8 ReactionsI may never give up yoga. I am 76 and have been teaching for over 25 years. Doing yoga most of the time for over 40 years.
Have I changed how I teach? Of course. Have I helped others (and myself) adapt their practice to meet their current situations? You bet! That’s the beauty of yoga - it can change right along with you.
I have rhumatoid arthritis and it has caused pulmonary fibrosis (called RAIL-D). I use oxygen most of the time and when the RA kicks in I teach sitting in a chair.
It’s important to do what you love. Don’t give it up people - change the way you do it! Be well everyone!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
8 ReactionsPreviously I wrote about being silly. Here is an example of my imagination.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
7 ReactionsThe bride is ADORABLE!!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions