GrandmaT

sorry to hear about the accident and the outcome :(
but it hasn’t affected your joy for life, I can tell!

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

Thank you for your kind words. Yes, the accident was certainly unexpected and life is a bit more of a challenge these days; but that’s okay. God has shown me, through this new journey with Him, that life is good andI need to keep my eyes on all the blessings that surround me (grandchildren being one!!!). I have a very supportive and loving husband and family … what more could a “girl” want!!!! :-)

Besides, on good days I still can (with the help of a little sturdy gardening bench that Russel made for me) get my hands “dirty” ... and that is WONDERFUL!!! I really enjoy my flowers, both inside and out.

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

My Mom, 80, loves her vegetable garden. She’s had 3 hip replacements (yes, 3, – one broke due to poor materials) and we tried to convince her to let us put up raised beds but, “persistent” as she is (aka stubborn) she refused – at this point, anyway. I know that besides loving the exercise she also doesn’t want to appear “old” so adaptations are a no-no unless absolutely necessary.
I’m not 80 but the thought of raised beds is really appealing!! lol

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

Yes, raised beds are a VERY GOOD THING!!! I think that the ground gets lower after the age of 40!!!! I have fought with my body many a day to be out amongst my flowers; so I understand your mom’s “persistence”. We did find a very cool lawn mower that allows me to walk behind it with little to no effort … it is a type of self-propelled, but paces itself to me, not the other way around. So now with our new, tiny yard I can (on good days) do a bit of walking and gardening and feel very productive. With the little bench that Russel created, I can actually get on my knees (with the support of the bench) and use it to bend/rest/lay over as I garden (sitting is very difficult for me)—then use the stool to push myself to standing again.

The little bench came to be after I found myself (at our old house) in the middle of our large front yard, unable to get up … between crying, laughing and calling for my husband … we decided I might need a “little more assistance” if I was going to continue gardening —that was my rude awakening about being stubborn and in total denial about my physical limitation. You just so don’t want to give up your independence.

Yah, it’s been an interesting journey, that is for sure!

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

lol I’m sorry—just had to laugh at the “laugh, cry” combination resulting in need for a “little assistance”

ok so we need a picture of your bench! (the bench and “in use” – I am intrigued with the “lay over” option

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

Yah, it was a true “MOMENT” that is for sure!!! We have had quite a few with my injury. We just keep laughing cuz at times you look around and it is just silly. What more can I say …

However, there is no “lay over option” ... it’s just me laying over the bench to reach the ground … it gives me the support my back needs. Nothing fancy … just useful. And a picture of me using the bench … hmmmmmm, don’t think I want that “published” ... It is a simple, country style wooden stool/bench. Russel made it during his first woodworking days and it was my first (ever) attempt at being “artsy”. So this poor bench has been through the war, used by me for anything that I do at floor level where I need to be on my knees. Russel should probably make me a new one … as this one has paint, stain, dirt and only God Himself, knows what else all over it! But, I do love it ...

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

hahaha ok .. we need a “stand in” in the picture… Maybe Russel will volunteer to “pose” for the camera!! :)

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

Well let me give some thought to a picture … just for you … hee

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

sweet

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

Hiya, GrandmaT! You’re a five minute drive from me! I look forward to trading local shop secrets with you here!

-- Living on the square...Metro Detroit

i know, its been awhile since I’ve posted but I made up for it today haha, I hate how work gets in the way of playing in the dirt! hehe

Hi Grandma T. Thanks for the welcome. Another Michigan person! That’s where I moved here from. Just down the road from ya, actually. Anyway, thanks for the warm welcome. This site looks pretty cool so let me get my sea legs and I’ll be up and rolling with you folks. Going to try and get my seed order organized this afternoon…

-- Gardening in the North! (zone 3/4) http://www.HealthyLivingDIY.com

Well one big difference between here and Michigan is the season is shorter here. So that brings a few challenges. We have very hot, dry summers (most years). But short. So that’s got me into exploring season extenders. Fun projects! Will no doubt have more to say about that as things warm up!

-- Gardening in the North! (zone 3/4) http://www.HealthyLivingDIY.com

Season extenders… interesting!

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

haha, yes, I feel like I’m the only one on here that lives in a place where we only have two seasons, hot and cold no real inbetween. But its nice to see all the neat things that yall get to do up north with your gardening

ha yah, our weather makes it interesting, that’s for sure :)
Someone once asked why we Canadians spend so much time talking about the weather and the sun.. well, the weather is ALWAYS changing (and often from extremes) and the sun, well, when you don’t get it for weeks on end (well, grey skies that is.. not darkness) then the sun is a good friend that you want to have visit!!

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

That about says it for Michigan too!! Although today, BITTER COLD, is beautiful!!! We got about an inch of new snow and the sun is just shining. Looks like a glittery white “wonderland”.

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

Grandma T. I am still new at this having just joined the other day so I hope that I’m putting this in the right spot. The name of it is Datura and sometimes called Moon flower I think. Want some seeds?

-- Dahlitsa

Thanks for the welcome!!!

-- '"Inthedirttn" SE Tennessee,7B

Welcome to the flower show! We hope you enjoy the time spent on your GardenTenders website.

-- One generation plants the trees; another gets the shade; Chinese Proverb - Zone 5B

Thanks for the welcome GrandmaT. MsDebbieP (my mother-in-law) introduced me in the early days but I hadn’t been up to much gardening. Now that Spring is here, I’m ready to dive in again.

-- Former plant killer. Current plant damager.

... your MIL is one terrific lady!!! I look forward to getting to know you …

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

:)
Karla is one terrific lady (BIG PROUD SMILE) so you will enjoy getting to know here GrandmaT :)

Hey Karla, we’d have fun driving around trying to find Canning Perennials together lol
Oh well… at least we’ll get to do Ikea :)

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

And, very adorable granddaughter!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yup, I totally imagine that Karla is one terrific woman!!!

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

Grandma T

I didn’t see you all day. I must be blind too, lol,lol

You sound like a happy lady.

Is there a way to post to a ceertain person, like quoting?

Just wondering

-- NS Zone 5B 200 KM East of Halifax cheers Bunting------Having a place to go – is a home. Having someone to love – is a family.

Love the new icon GrandmaT.Those flowers are just so lovely.

-- Bon,Hastings,Ont.....zone 5a....Always room for one more

Hey, love the Avatar: it looks just like you “sound”!

-- Eklectic, Follow my Bliss, South East Ontario 5a

Well thanks … I do love those little flowers! :-)

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

Thank you for the warm welcome!

-- puce, zone 5a

HI GRANDMA T I`M STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE LANGUAGE WHATS A BERM ? AND DONT SAY THAT FLESHY BIT YOU SIT ON, IS IT A ROCKERY ?
LIKE THE NATURAL MILK CHURN I STILL THINK ITS CRYING OUT FOR PAINTED ROSES !!!!
REGARDS MIKE

-- MIKE MILTON COMMON U.K.

Yes, and some day I may just paint those roses on that milk churn of mine!!!! :-)

Berm – official definition.
A narrow ledge or shelf, as along the top or bottom of a slope.
b. Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, & West Virginia The shoulder of a road.
c. A raised bank or path, especially the bank of a canal opposite the towpath.
d. A mound or bank of earth, used especially as a barrier or to provide insulation.

However, here we are using it to describe a small bank of earth, or hill located in Bon’s yard. She has created a lovely garden on this “Berm” or small bank of earth or hill. Hope this helps Mike!! :-)

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

HI GRANDMA SORRY I ADRESSED MY QUESTION TO YOU BY MISTAKE (ANOTHER SENIOR MOMENT) BUT THANKS FOR THE REPLY WHICH WAS MUCH APPRECIATED
REGARDS MIKE

-- MIKE MILTON COMMON U.K.

No problem Mike … always glad to help … :-)

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b