A more direct path, certainly..................

Oh, the problem with the addiction is not in buying the iris. It is after you buy them that the pain and suffering of building a new bed begins, or two new beds if you were dazzled by too many of the beauties. You suffer through the hours of digging, and building, preparing just so the beds are ready when the iris boxes start to arrive. Then the euphoria of planting. Which is followed by spiraling realization that you have too many for the bed(s) you created. So you toil some more. And plant some more. Then wait. Wait a bit longer. Get excited when spring arrives and you see growth. Want to go out and tug the little fans while chanting grow, grow! Then the gloriously month or two of bloom finally happen, and feed your addiction. So you buy more, and the pain begins again....and is rewarded again. Is this worth it??? Oh heaven's YES!!

You reach a part where age doesn't let you do new beds.

And not just age but other physical problems slow you down as well. I know a gardener that grows and maintains a large flower garden while using a walker. She is slow and therefore has to spend much more time in her garden but she transports her soil a bit at a time and digs with one hand while leaning on her walker. And I complain........

That is a very dedicated gardener. I wish she had someone to help transport the soil for her.

It's probably because she doesn't have someone to do it for her that she's still able to do it. When we quit doing something, soon we can't do it. As the saying goes, if you don't use it, you loose it!

She has grown kids. They will help her if she asks but she does not ask. she just keeps going about her business by herself. Gardening is something I guess she needs to do by herself. She does a good job at it. I will take a picture of her garden when I am out her way and post it here. On the other hand there was an elderly man who lived in Perryville and carried a five gallon bucket all over the garden with him to sit on moving it as he moved. He could not stand any longer. He could move short steps and sit so he gardened. He grew vegetables and some ornamentals and gave lots of food away. He passed last fall. I miss him in his garden. Every time any one drove by his house he was sitting on his bucket and he stopped and raised his hand in a wave and went back to his work. He had a big garden every year without fail.

Gardners are a tough lot!!!

It's the sight/thought of being a gardener like that that keeps me going. Arthritis, bulging discs, pain in hips, knees and neck...I try to ignore it until the project is done. Then, the Chocolate Feast begins.

It seems like gardeners find a way to work within their confines. There are blind people who garden and I know a veteran that lost an arm and has trouble with legs that were broken badly and healed. He is a fine gardener. We work at our own pace, on our own schedule and within our own limitations. I developed vertigo last fall and so now I go about falling all over the garden and staggering about like a drunk grasping at whatever/whoever is nearest. I have learned to walk with one hand on a staff (I tell people it is my snake stick) for stability in case the vertigo hits and not to carry precious things in my hands that I will toss trying to catch myself. A wheelbarrow is a good tool for carrying things and also for holding onto. Any living creature is welcome on my lap while I am sitting but I cant carry them anymore. It could be a lot worse. we adapt where we can and keep our sense of humor and spend more time in the garden.

Well said, Bonnie.

I know a guy that is blind and has the most wonderful hosta gardens. I go to his sale every year and am always amazed at how weed free it is. He doesn't grow the tiny Mouse Ears ones though, as it's hard for him to distinguish between them and some weeds.

John moves things & leaves to our compost pit on a tarp. the pit is downhill & much easier that pushing a wheelbarrel. Sorry computer, wheelbarrow is one word. I use a cane between beds & my kneeler while I am working. I got the cane for the 2009 convention figuring there wood be rough ground to walk on.

Adapt and continue on.

Bonnie -- vertigo is often associated with inner ear issues. Might be worth a trip to the doc to have your ears checked.............??

I forgot about that. My dad got mad at himself for knocking things over & a middle ear infection was then cleared up.

Been to three ear specialists and one head specialist. They can find no problem. The last one made an out of town appointment with yet another dr. He told me they would do a procedure where they will drill little holes in my head...... I threw the appointment info away and sang all the way home. I am not going back. Smiles

Didn't want to be accused of having a hole in your head, ha?

That's right, Tom.