The weeds flourish merrily around my airboot as I struggle about on crutches. Seasons wait for no man - or woman. Here I am - with my foot in the air as though I have not a care in the world. Or inclination. To. Do. Anything. It is utterly frustrating. And totally out of character. But what can you do after breaking your foot. Except wait. Patiently. Impatiently. Either way. Waiting. Getting very little done. Slowly. Relying on family to do. Almost. Everything.
"Will someone pick greens for salad? Have the goats been milked yet? Are any sheep lambing? Did someone chase the chickens out of my herb garden? Have you pulled those weeds after the rain? Are the fruit blossoms still on the trees after last night's bad frost? Can the lemons and naartjies be picked before they fall off? Has the sourdough starter been fed? The ginger and tumeric is ready to be harvested, once that is done we can press flowers...."
Five weeks ago I tore ligaments in my foot. The first three weeks were agony. X-rays established the bones were not broken despite my foot being like a purple rugby ball. As a rule I function at full throttle. Being off my feet has been challenging (and that is an understatement). For this month's Garden Journal I have much to be grateful for.
My amazing husband and kiddos took up the reigns. And quickly realized that my homesteading responsibilities are enough for three people. Needless to say I had no choice but to sit with my throbbing foot up and learn to slow down. This week I ventured into our overgrown winter garden. On crutches. We harvested bundles and bundles of glorious stinging nettle which is drying. We picked fruit blossoms and herbal flowers to press. We made citrus marmalade. We pulled up our first crop of ginger. I have learned many lessons while being given a forced leave of absence. Mostly I am grateful for my family's support and endless trips to fetch me tea or report each garden and every animal. There is so much to be grateful. Sometimes we need to slam on breaks and just relax in the season. Whatever it is.
I learned that lesson a couple of years ago. It was a painful one and I feel for you. It is hard, especially with your can-do attitude to sit back and ask for help, or even accept help.
Torn ligaments are nothing to sneeze at! They are so very painful and the more you ignore the healing part, the longer it will take to get better. I am happy (well, you know what I mean) to see you sitting back and allowing it to heal.
You have a great family to step into those shoes of yours!
Healing prayers are sent to you. XOXO
Your garden is producing!
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Denise! You spoil me! With your words and your gifts. Thank you so much
Yes it has been challenging. My husband says I need to learn to delegate and stop trying to do absolutely everything.
On an interesting side note; we're still battling with car insurance and the wrecked vehicle is still vacationing at the tow company awaiting who knows what. But my husband (who is head of rural/farm security) met with the police captain who says that it will be dealt with as attempted homocide! He says this happens a couple times every week! I was horrified. As that means its a deliberate destruction of livestock and peoples vehicles, possibly lives.
So much going on here. But what's new.
Wishing you a swift recovery. It must be a blessing to have such a family 💚
An incredible blessing - as well as learning new responsibilities and skills
Ouch! Better that you take good care of the healing part, as the inactive part can drive one nuts.
Hope that all will be well again soon.
Take care!
!PIZZA
Thank you Zac. I'm on the speedy healing part of the injury. 6 weeks is enough
Whatever you do, take care not to strain it until it's 100% healed. When I came out of plaster on my leg after two years, I was soon back in plaster again, because I did not care enough.
Just saying!
!PIZZA
Thanks. I have been told that by numerous people. Including a retired nurse friend who also tore ligaments in her foot and speaks from experience and....well experience 😏
Soon you will also have the experience to advise others !LOL
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The list is endless when you have so much happening on the homestead like you do. I feel for you! Thankfully, your family is capable of helping you out with everything. I am glad to hear you are at least trying to relax a bit and heal. xoxo
Absolutely endless! I love our lifestyle despite the hard work
Oh goodness! I can imagine what a challenge it’s been for you and your family. I’ve learned during my experience of being “absent” from duties (due to sickness or injury) that when my family pulls together on my behalf it makes them much stronger. They learn how to better depend and lean on each other while at the same time gaining new knowledge of how things are done.
I pray for a haste recovery. I also pray that during your time of stillness and inaction that you get some much needed overdue rest ~ 🙏🏽💓
Thank you sweet fellow multi-tasking mama!
Always dear friend ~ 💐🩷
Oh my goodness, how did you manage to do that? I swear ligaments take longer than bones to heal. They usually say 6 weeks for bones, but rush with ligaments at that time and you'll regret it.
I hope you continue to go steady and keep accepting that help.
Definitely longer! I have had various people tell me so, from personal experience. They say up to six MONTHS! It is now already 6 weeks and I am definitely not going to be on the dance floor any time soon. Thank you for your sweet words - and I am learning to gracefully accept help and even ask for it
Oh goodness, I somehow missed the torn ligament news ! Ouch. You never realise how much you actual RELY on your feet until one is injured. Glad the fam is picking up the slack and you are falling into/have fallen into a rhythm of sorts. I understand the feeling of feeling like everything needs to be done and who will do it if not for you?
Hopefully I won't "fall" into rhythm as the falling part is what placed me in this predicament😎 I guess if I wanted time off I should rather have asked than take to such drastic lengths. My husband has already given me the; "No it's not being done exactly as you would do it - BUT IT'S BEING DONE!" lecture. More than once. So I meekly put up my foot and ask for a cup of tea and someone to harvest the stinging nettle
Man, it's a lesson isn't it????? To let go, to realise the world turns without your micromanagement!!
Who would've thought
Despite your disability, you're doing your best in caring for your garden. For the fact you're doing so, your veggies will flourish more than ever before.
Keep it up.
Oh I do hope so. Maybe all the bugs will get injured and also stay out of the gardens
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