I thought if I wasn't busy I would have lots and lots of time to blog. For me it doesn't work that way - if I'm not busy, I don't have anything to blog about. I 'm a little busy these days - Physical Therapy (PT) is work. I'm doing all the recommended exercises - if you want to get better (read "healthier") you have to work. Some days I dread the PT but afterwards (a few hours, pain meds, and an ice pack or two afterwards) I feel much improved. I'm very thankful for the doctors, nurses, physical therapists, and others who have had a hand in fixing my knee. The progress is much slower than I imagined, I'm having a hard time not being critical, I think it's because I have a bit of brain clutter. You know, ideas or beliefs you have that no longer work or that you know to be untrue. If you keep acting on what doesn't work it will make you crazy. I used to believe if I had surgery I would miraculously be healed by the time the stitches began to fade. Turns out most miracles need a bit of work. Sometimes you just have to clean out the clutter so the rest of you can change and grow.
This cleaning up business is a lesson I learned years ago from gardening. Weeding, deadheading, clearing out the old dried up plants makes room for new growth. Just clean out the old and in comes the new, usually it's a year later.
This summer I haven't done much in the garden, just watering the plants in containers. The green oxalis I got from my mom back in February and planted beside a purple one I had purchased locally were getting along beautifully back in the Spring.
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| Early April 2012 |
They were beautiful back in April, however by August, after 20 plus days of 100 F heat, they were cooked and I was a little afraid they might not come back. On August 11, I was out sweeping the front porch, watering my plants and startled by how sad this container looked.
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| 8/11 |
I started cleaning up and was surprised by how easily the old, dead stuff lifted out of the pot - almost no roots holding it down.
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| 8/11 |
It's very embarrassing to realize you are letting things compost right outside your front door.
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| 8/11 |
I left the lone purple shamrock and went inside think about what to plant next.
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| Thursday (8/16) |
I had expected the plants to go dormant and was surprised the next Thursday (8/16) when I remembered to water the containers on the front porch and there was 'new life.'
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This picture was taken on Monday, 8/20.
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I went inside and got a damp cloth to clean up the pot - just trying to do my part to make it look good.
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| This picture was taken Wednesday afternoon (8/29). |
Those little dots next to the purple oxalis are new plants. I don't know when the oxalis is supposed to start growing again. I can't help but wonder if I had not cleaned out the dead plants would the new plants have started to grow? Was nature waiting on me to do my part so the miracle of life could 'show off?' I may have to look into that one of these days. Right now, I am going to go stretch and do a bit of exercise.
Life goes on.
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10 comments:
I had what I thought was a dead one of those red plants (mine are indoor plants here!) but lo and behold it burst into life again. I read on the web that they do go dormant sometimes so maybe you shouldn't blame yourself too much! Sorry to hear that your knee isn't recovering as fast as you had hoped - that's probably why they call us "patients"! Hope that in due course all will be well. People I know who have had knee surgery tell me it does take ages but one friend who couldn't go up and down stairs for months is now out walking miles and planning to do the walk to Santiago de Compostela one day so hang in there and all will be well I am sure.
I have known several people who have had various knee surgeries, and it does take a while to heal and get going again, but then they are thrilled with the difference. You are very brave, and very good to carry on with your PT and exercises.
I love oxalis, and I am sure it could not take that heat. But look at it renew itself.
I have several quite dead containers too, so do not feel bad, or alone about the tragedies! Nice to see you in the blog world again!
Such a beautiful post, Joy. It really is a life lesson for all of us, nature (God) can do his part but we must also participate in the healing. I must share with you something from your blog that has made a difference in my life---your little plaque in your header. "It's never to late to live happily ever after." We all have our burdens and trials to carry in life and at times mine have been overwhelming, that quote is a gentle reminder that I have the choice to live happily ever after. Thank you and wishing you a speedy recovery.
i liked your description of having to work at 'miracles' to make them happen. :)
glad your plants are coming back, too!
Hey there,
I too have had such a quiet boring month, it provides no food for blog. Gret to see you though and hear you are on the mend. I did join a gym this month, been working out like a mad thing possessed. I have two dodgy knees and my belief is if you build up the muscle surrounding the knee, it will help. Am I mad?
There are boots on their way to you. I hadn't forgotten, just got tied up in my own last August.
Keep at that healing process, physically and otherwise.
Much love
Di
xxxxxx
I'm short of time as I'm leaving again!!! Just wanted to tell you I hope the physio gets less painful SOON, and that you will be 100% well again soon. Hang in there dear.
Hugs - Mary
So true - in the garden, our closets, our bodies, our lives - we have to clean out the old to make room for the new good. My purple oxalis is growing again, too. I think it can't take the heat. But I laughed at your statement about composting things right outside the front door! :O) Good luck with your PT. I'm certain it's hard work, but it will be worth it.
Thanks for sharing your cooked plants. We live in Austin and I worked so hard watering some container flowers but the heat got them anyway.:( Stopping by to say Hi.Come visit sometime, tea is cold and no shoes are required. Kathy B. http://www.southernmadeintheshade.blogspot.com New follower from Austin TX
Hi Joy, sorry progress is slow. In my experience doctors usually seem to underestimate the time it takes to recover. Re the oxalis plants: I think the new ones sprouted BECAUSE you hadn't cleaned out the old ones. Good luck for the stretching. cheers, catmint xx
So I'm thinking, perhaps I can apply the same principal to other things, right? Like I spent 40 days ridding my home of over 400 pieces of 'clutter' ... making way for 400 new things! LOL! I'm not even *tempted*!! Sounds like your healing process...though slow...is coming along. Glad to hear it! :)
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