When the so-called tropical depression came up the Mid Atlantic coast, here in Central Virginia we had several days of winds (with some very exuberant gale force bursts) that brought down one large pine and an abundance of smaller limbs, branches, twigs and leaf clusters. When things began to dry out, I began gathering the debris for disposal. Last week, I again filled the fire ring with limbs I had hand sawed through and two plastic 50 gal tubs of smaller wood. As my lower back and left hip grew a bit achy, I decided to call it a day. Though there is still another area to clear up, I made a mental note to wait until this week.
All was well until supper time when all of a sudden YIKES I came to the realization that I had seriously overdone the bending and gathering. The next few days saw me creeping about to do my animal feeding and self care, always my cane and grabber tools within reach.
I had just completed 16 weeks of physical therapy for my walking struggles, where I learned from the therapist that my hip flexors need strengthening. That's how I know the name of what has caused these YIKES moments. I seem to have a strained left hip flexor and the thigh muscle it's attached to (in PT a less intense yike taught me the label).
Dr. Google says this will improve over the next two or three weeks. At this point, though I'm cautious as I do my daily tasks, the YIKES moments are rare, occuring only late in the day when I've obviously had to walk as I work.
Long ago, I promised Falalala a photo of my all terrain rollator. For the last week, it has allowed me to thin my lettuce, pick a ripening tomato or two, and more importantly feed and water the 3 old goats and several chickens. The feed and hay flake go into a flexible trug on the seat. the added support eases my hip and outside chores are painless. So here's a photo of that helpful rollator that is easy to use on my ramps, and easily navigates lumpy mole tunneled earth and pits where the dog has dug out a hapless rodent. It's large but folds for storage...and it's made me wish for a smaller inside model.
❄️⛄️ Winter is definitely here 🥶
MS or PMR or both
FALLING 
