A rhododendron tree of unusual colour - in the old cemetery.
"Now I walk in beauty. Beauty is before me. Beauty is behind me. Above me and below me. Around me and within me."
- Traditional Navajo.
- Traditional Navajo.
Some of the purple rhododendrons that were first in bloom are already fading and dropping a lot of petals to the ground; after a rather windy and rainy week. Others are still in their prime, though:
Because of frequent downpours, I haven't been straying far from home this week. Yesterday I had the laundry room booked in the afternoon and did not go out. Today was delivery day (from the supermarket), but they came an hour earlier than usual, and after lunch I braved a half hour walk around the cemetery and managed to get back dry...
I'm still using my walking stick when I go out, but in the cemetery I sometimes practice keeping it "off ground" for a while now and then, when walking on smooth paths without too much debris. In certain situations, like on uneven ground, walking downhill, or crossing streets, I still feel need of it, though. - And when crossing streets etc, I also kind of feel that it serves to tell drivers and other pedestrians not to expect me to be able to hurry!
A couple of months ago, a friend whom I haven't seen in person since last summer, ended a text message with hoping that I have "a good physiotherapist"... I didn't find the mental energy just then to explain that I don't "have" a PT in the sense of meeting one at my health care center. However, that's not the same as lacking advice about useful exercises. These days, you really only have to google "knee problems" or "knee bandages" once, and if you're also using Facebook, they will immediately start feeding you not only daily commercials for knee sleeves etc (how many do they think one person needs?!), but also physiotherapist videos. Some of those just annoy me, but some have actually proved helpful. Besides the exercises as such, I find that it's very much a question of the PT's "attitude"... My favourite so far is one British guy whom I'm actually following now (while others still just keep turning up anyway). If anyone is curious, you can also find this guy on YouTube: his name is Josh Trevorrow. (I might try to share some video here another day, but just now I'm too tired for the technicalities.)
It is as though you're making steady progress despite the weather, and I quite agree that a walking stick can be as much a useful signal to others as a physical support
ReplyDeleteThanks Ro. I do find it helpful.
DeleteI have never seen a rhododendron bush this pretty pale color! We have had many experiences with Physical Therapy and they always end up hurting us. One of them gave me an exercise to do while I was with them! It injured me so badly that I needed surgery. I think one problem is that they go to their standard exercises without taking the individual into consideration.
ReplyDeleteGinny, alas I too have some similar experiences of PT in the past - which is why I now prefer to just collect some general advice online and decide for myself which tips seem useful for me...
DeleteHow long is the rhododendron blooming season? I wonder also if I could grow one in a pot. Perhaps a dwarf variety.
ReplyDeleteRiver, I'm not sure how much this varies with local climate but an individual tree I think is isually only in bloom for 3-4 weeks. But as there are many varieties, if there are many trees in an area, the total season will be longer. Also depends on sun vs shadow, or heat vs rain and wind etc.
DeleteYou were indeed walking in beauty that day, and I am glad you managed to get that walk in without ending up in a downpour.
ReplyDeleteVery wise to use a walking stick; as you say, it is as much for yourself as for signalling to others that they should not expect you to break into a run :-)
Meike, I'm glad to have that beautiful cemetery nearby, should it start to rain it doesn't take me long to get back home. (I might get wet but not for very long.)
DeleteLove the Rhododendrons, the colours are beautiful at your time of year, there are several up my street that are pink and red and they make for an amazing mass of colour, I have used youtube to look up all sorts of information, it's kind of helpful sometimes, have a nice weekend.
ReplyDeleteThanks Amy. I normally mostly think of YouTube for music or film/TV related stuff - but yes, I know one can find all sorts of info there :)
DeleteI've had some great physical therapy which met my goals. I wish I could work with them more often, but you need to have a medical condition to get to see them. So I just go to a chair yoga class and a sit and be fit class at the senior center now. Walking of course is the best thing one can do. Love that Navaho saying about beauty. And the flowers you've captured are definitely beautiful!
ReplyDeleteBarbara, personally I much prefer tips of what I can do at home at my own pace rather than group exercises. So I'd only seek help as in "going to see someone" if I felt I was getting worse, or seriously worried.
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