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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?
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I'm almost 84 and as long as I can I will continue to do simple solo travel. Though,a recent trip to Cancun with family was great! Next I am taking the 24 hour trip from I where I live to Portland in coach on Amtrak to see my daughters. Next I'll fly to Texas to visit a boyfriend.
I got used to traveling alone when my daughter lived in Australia and I visited her 14 times.
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6 ReactionsI’m 74 and recently diagnosed with MAC /Bronchiectasis after not being able to breathe properly on the horses I’ve ridden my whole life. I will never give up riding. Right now I’m doing therapy riding which is good for my body, brain and heart and soul. I’ll keep going! Thank you all for being there!
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6 ReactionsWhen you said “gentle” it made me think about the yoga types of today. Hot Yoga, Power Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga and so much more. When I started yoga it was just yoga, a soft and gentle way to be in your body and connect with yourself physically and mentally. These days I hardly recognize some yoga classes as yoga! Thankfully I have never changed my yoga style. I teach it as a way to connect with yourself, not as a fitness class. No fancy acrobatic postures, just conscious slow sustained stretching in harmony with the breath. All done in a way that meets you where you are.
I wanted to say this so people out there thinking they could never do yoga see that it’s just a matter of finding the right style and the right teacher. Truly, anyone can do yoga.
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4 Reactionsyes, i understand what you're saying, i have never done yoga, but i have a friend in her seventies that has been doing yoga for years, and it is an activity like tai chai, that can be practiced at any age. it is so good to just keep moving. both are good for the soul and the body.
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3 ReactionsWhat model e-bike do you have? I've considered one, but I'm now only 4' 11" tall and not sure there is one with seat that adjusts to get my feet close enough to the pedals. No stores in my area have them in stock.
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1 ReactionWow at 84 you still got a boyfriend, how do you do that?
Im 48 still find it so had a have a babe lol
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3 ReactionsI have an ENVO that's half mountain bike/half road bike. The seat goes pretty far down so it might work for you. The battery is in the seat, too, so it doesn't even look like an e-bike. It gets about 60 miles if you use the lowest level (10%) of pedal assist, about 20 miles if you use the highest (100%).
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2 ReactionsYou made me laugh!. I was married for 58 years. My boyfriend from the 8th grade contacted me and now we see each other. Its simple and fun!
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5 ReactionsThat is wonderful!!!
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1 ReactionWouldn’t buying a youth bike take care of that? Just a thought
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