gasrocks said:Wow, 87, I admire that. I sometimes (too often) sit and feel sorry for myself because I'm getting old. I'm 69. Gene
I think I was fine with aging until I hit 70. Then I began to get annoyed at the fact that I was getting old and slowing down. Just then, I found myself 80 and more aches and pains from falls off of horses and taking falls over stupid things like wagon handles and flower pots. I had several online plant sale stores and still have a valid Nursery Certificate for the State of NJ, when July 1, 2015 I got up on my desk and leaned down the back to untangle some wires and the next day I could not get out of bed. I strained every muscle and nerve on my right side and ended up in bed and unable to walk without help or pain for 101 days. Yes, I was counting. I then graduated to physical therapy and ended up loosing hundreds of baby plants in the greenhouse because even though I had someone watering them and watching for insects, they were not aware of "scale" and did not see it. By the time I was able to get to the greenhouse every plant but 2 had scale and had to be thrown away. The greenhouse was sterilized and sprayed and completely emptied and I went out of business. I lost over $500 worth of starter plants and many of my stock plants, but fortunately my favorites that I was not propagating were outside for the summer and safe from the insects. I formally closed every store effective July 1, refunded money, and then I really was feeling sorry for myself. In fact, I was darned depressed and found myself with anxiety and vertigo. Don't think about getting old because when your body is ready it will just do it for you and your mind must go along with it.
I am now playing around with my tropicals and those snake plants, some Epis and I decorate horse shoes for the benefit of the Horse Park of New Jersey. I walk with a cane when I remember it. I limp and hurt but d*** I am not giving up yet. I have all the outside containers filled and ready to get my annuals to plant, the greenhouse heaters are out and fans are in, and I am bound and determined to enjoy this summer because I sure did not do it last summer. So, Gene, get away from the computer and move your old body around so your muscles do not get weak. I am sure my being so active over the years is why I am able to walk again today. Sorry, did not mean to get so wordy but I think 69 is a great age, I was having a ball at that age. My problem now is, all my friends I had fun with are dead and I get really lonely at times, but then I go talk to Tony the old pony that lives here with me and my tropical birds and my Cavalier Spaniel. Living on a Christmas Tree Farm is kind of fun. Not much room for gardens but my kids keep the containers full and I do have a field of daffodils and some lilac, iris, peonies you know, the old fashion perennials and trees. I am out of here. I talk too much. Have a good day. Time for a walk around the farm with the dog. I refuse to give up my old animals because they are all the close friends I still have left.
