Not certain, Tom. There is a clump of Pompano Peach on the left side in front of the post -- you can see my lasso in orange baling twine. There was a clump of Apricot Buff on the right -- I took that out a month ago. The poor Irises in the middle of all of that mess haven't bloomed in a long time. There used to be an historic in that area that was two-toned purple. I'm guessing that most of the rhizomes that I'm digging up are that. But I'm sure not sure.

It's looking real good, MaryAnn ! Just be careful not to over do it !!

Thanks, Arlyn. That's why I took a day off!! Don't need a setback...........

You are correct !! We have to learn to "pace ourselves".....That's why I'm sitting on my butt right now .....I'm 'pacing myself '

Hi Nancy.

Good job Mary Ann!

With that lower back stuff, small exercise to strengthen the area is best. Work does not equal small, specific, non-damaging exercise. If we want to do one, we are best off doing the other.

There are some exercises for shoulders as well, but often times the shoulders are torn and worn out. Lots of ginger, turmeric, paprika and cardamom is better than surgery in older persons. Anesthesia for surgery can really ruin the mind - one gets a fixed part and dementia . If one needs surgery, it is best done younger than older.

Looking wondermous, Mary Ann!

Mary Ann, making process and.looking g good.

Great job Mary Ann. Lot of hard work in the heat. (Now if I could just get James T. Kirk saying, "space, the final frontier..." out of my head).

Looking great Mary Ann! That bermuda grass looks and sounds like a real beast to deal with!

Linnea, I've seen evidence of what you said about anesthesia ruining the mind. My mother was getting a bit forgetful and goofy, but was handling herself well enough to live alone until her bypass surgery. From that moment on she was too confused from dementia to ever be on her own again.

Linneaj said:

With that lower back stuff, small exercise to strengthen the area is best. Work does not equal small, specific, non-damaging exercise. If we want to do one, we are best off doing the other.

I agree with you Linnea. I've been through two separate physical therapy programs. They both helped, but didn't resolve the problems. I don't think exercise helps with arthritis, anyway. The PT program that helped the most was a private therapist (read self pay, no medicare/insurance) who combined exercise with pilates and dry injections. I continue to do her exercise program here at home -- it makes a difference. But I'm afraid that over the course of the past fifteen months, while I was searching for a solution, this has become a chronic problem -- which I think might need medical intervention. At least, I think so. Frustrating.

Lestv said:Great job Mary Ann. Lot of hard work in the heat. (Now if I could just get James T. Kirk saying, "space, the final frontier..." out of my head).

LOL Leslie!!

gemini_sage said:Looking great Mary Ann! That bermuda grass looks and sounds like a real beast to deal with!

Linnea, I've seen evidence of what you said about anesthesia ruining the mind. My mother was getting a bit forgetful and goofy, but was handling herself well enough to live alone until her bypass surgery. From that moment on she was too confused from dementia to ever be on her own again.

Neal -- I can't believe that you don't have Bermuda grass up there............ :blinking:

That's really scary about anesthesia and dementia.

Mary Ann, do you want to come to my house to show me now the remove it?
Seriously, it looks fantastic!

It's not tricky Barb -- just dig, dig, and dig some more!!!

Thanks, girlfriend!!

AND DON'T COME BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WooHoooooo!!!

OK, now quick go make another order before it's too late!!!!

Thought you'all might like a couple other photos.

The final pile of Bermuda Grass -- it's four by five feet across and about 18" tall.


This is a closeup of what I was dealing with. This is a clump of Bermuda Grass. It winds its way through, above, below and around an Iris rhizome. Extricating the rhizome is a task. The density of the roots of Bermuda makes it very difficult to dig through, and lots of rootlets are left behind to start new plants. Someone here recently referred to Bermuda as a "beast". Very, very accurate!!!


And here's another wonderful picture of an eight-foot section cleared (for the moment) of Bermuda Grass. And ready for planting.


Tom -- not ordering Irises for this bed. This bed has been reserved for Irises that I got in 2013 from you, Brad and Snowpeak. They have been patiently waiting in the temporary bed on the north side of the garage -- and some were lost because of the rot issues there. It's about time (past time) that they get their place in the sun!!! I can't wait to move them!!

Thanks Deb!!!!!