Grandpa's Hired Help

 For reasons I have now explained, I am not much help with the heavy work in our yard anymore. 

It was time to trim the holly hedge and pillars in our yard. Last year Tom asked Isaac to help. This year Isaac has is own job, so Grandpa asked Irene to help. 

I was a little worried about it, but Irene was willing. The job involves using a hedge shears to trim the walls and top of the hedge and several other trees and pillars. In some places it calls for a tall ladder, and sometimes a ladder holder is required. The trimmings are then pushed under the hedge or pillars. It is not a fun job, as I can personally attest. 

Irene showed up early for the agreed upon 9:00 start. She was wearing long sleeves, but short shorts because it was supposed to get hot. Well, that wouldn't do, since, well, holly is sticky stuff. I found a pair of jeans of Tom's that she could wear, and a belt to cinch them up. She checked herself out and decided they would do. After all, she wasn't going to be in public. Sixteen-year-olds do care about such things. 

She was also glad no one would see her floppy hat. That is the same hat I wore when I was holding the ladder in past years when holly trimmings would rain down on my head. It is good for keeping stuff from falling in your face or down the back of your neck. It is pretty ugly, but the funny thing is, it is a Martha Stewart hat. I got it as a free gift when I subscribed to her magazine some years back.  

This was the last pillar they did. Irene did the lower work and Tom went up the ladder while Irene held it.

OK, Grandpa, how does it look? Tom said she was very skilled at shearing straight sides. 

I pretty much stayed away, doing some work in the vegetable/cutting garden and then going grocery shopping. We had lunch together on the patio.

They put in four hours of work together and got the front side of the hedge done plus all of the high ladder stuff.

We still have the back side, the neighbor's side of the hedge to do, but there is a wall to stand on over there, and the clean up doesn't involve much bending and stooping, so I am planning to help with that. 

Irene was a great help, Tom and his granddaughter got some      bonding time, and of course we paid her. Four hours of work at our minimum wage, $15 an hour, gave her a nice handful of cash. She really liked that. 

New Realities

 

As most of you know, I have arthritis in enough places in my body that old "Arthur Itis" seems to want me to just sit down and quit. But my mother didn't raise no quitter. I just keep going. It does get harder and harder though.

You may recall that I had my second spine fusion surgery last July, and then total hip replacement early this January. Before each, in between each, and after each there has been physical therapy, not to mention lots of pre-op and post-op appointments and x-rays and recovery meds and recovery ordeals. Ask me how I got through Covid confinement? I spent a lot of time in clinics and hospitals and medical center offices. 

Now I have emerged, but not as good as new. Last month I consulted with my spine surgeon about back stiffness. Seems that goes with the territory after two fusion surgeries. He referred me to a rehabilitation physician and both referred me for physical therapy. 

I had completed PT after each surgery, and while my hip is still healing and strengthening, it is progressing well. Last week I met with my physical therapist for an update, to find out what I can do to maximize my recovery and return to some of my mobility. 

Now I have to face reality. I will never again go for that easy striding three mile walk with lightness in my step as I glide along to music in my ears. For that loss I am in mourning.

I have a new PT routine to maximize my strength and mobility. Instead of a routine three times a day, which was a drag, and often not completed, I now am doing all the exercises times three in one setting, three times a week. I have done that twice now. It takes a little over an hour as I learn the routines and rotations. I spent a long time on Sunday building my checklist so I would remember to get everything in and hold myself accountable. It is a tiring workout and has left me stiff but not too sore, and I can cut back at first if I develop sore muscles. 

After I finished my PT today I rested a bit and then I went for a walk, getting 1.25 miles, the same as I was doing a few weeks ago before lots of other things got in my way and kept me from exercise walking. 

Not everything is fixed. My doctors and PT therapist remind me that my right knee and left hip are also deteriorating. I don't mention the issue with my neck. I just respond that I will take at least a whole year off before considering any more surgery. Two in six months was more than enough.  I am fortunate that neither causes me much pain. I just don't move well. 

My PT therapist pushes me but then sympathizes. "You were not lucky with your joints." Yeah, right.

I tell you all of this so you will know what's going on with me and understand references I made to difficulties I might have. But in so many other ways I am very fortunate.. I still count my blessings.

While I am sad about my limitations, it is now time to face facts and reconcile with my new reality. I will be learning to live with new expectations.

But I will keep moving. The photos on this post are from my garden, which I will still work in and walk around in and find peace in and share with others, for as long as I can, just like my mother did.

Graduation!

 It rained all day Friday. It is raining again today, Sunday. But it didn't rain on our parade, i.e. our graduation party.

Tom and I joined Isaac's other grandparents and we watched Isaac's high school graduation from Jill's house via live streaming. 

Jill, Irene, and Isaac's dad, Corey, were in the stadium. Corey is a professional photographer. He has big cameras. They got a better view, and we get to share it through his photos. 

The story goes that since Isaac's girlfriend had a special assignment, Tassel Turner, he got to join her at the front of the line, along with a best buddy, Conner.

Remember in school when "line leader" used to be a special privilege? 

Lead on, Line Leader. Here they come, all 350 of them. 

There was an attempt at social distancing, at least when they were sitting down. 

There were speeches.

Then there were diplomas. Four good friends up first.

Get the diploma, get the mask off, pose for the photo. 

Then there was hoopla

Then there was hugging.

Then there was homecoming.

Before the party guests arrived we posed for photos.

Mother and son.

And sister Irene.

Add Dad Corey. 

Parents and grandparents. 

The Reeder grandparents.

Mr. Whiskers wanted attention too. 

The Gibson/Moser grandparents. 

Good friends.

And then people came and there was a party.

There was lots of hugging, because...now we can!

There were lots of beautiful young people and relatives of all sorts. One way or another we were mostly all parents or grandparents or siblings or cousins of someone else there. Or special friends with kid connections. 

I didn't get everybody. I was busy having fun and visiting and hugging. 

It was a very good day. The sun shone upon us and made us glad. 

Congratulations to Isaac and his support staff. A major milestone has been reached and celebrated. Many more life adventures await. 

An English Cottage?

 The final garden on the Tacoma tour of May 29-30 belongs to Bob and Natalie Findlay. Bob assured me that Natalie is the garden designer and perfectionist primper, while he does the heavy lifting.  Natalie concurred that she is a fussy gardener. The attention to detail shows.

The Findlays began creating their garden as it is now in 1995, constructing terraces and planting beds, and providing lots of seating areas to enjoy the garden views. They named their home Quail Cottage.

Does this garden have a bit of English charm? You decide. 

The covered walkway leads from the garage to the side entrance of the house and on to the back yard. 

The back of the garage. The structures form a courtyard in front of the house completely hidden from the street. 

Seating is provided if you can wait to see what's next. 

Tom took time to smell the roses. 

A hedge with a view. This is the south Tacoma Narrows, where Puget Sound narrows down before spreading out again on its way to Olympia. 

Very tidy for the way less traveled. The course of gravel seemed precisely placed. And again you could find a place to linger.

Back in the front garden, and one more chance to sit and appreciate, especially with the Beauty Bush and red Rhodie in full bloom. 

English or not, it's a pert and pretty northwest garden.