An idyllic afternoon...

[Kevin_1]

Well there are laughs too... We had a decent bit of sun today... a break from the wet summer.

An idyllic afternoon.

So we had lunch on the middle level of the garden where there is a table and chairs with a roof on pillars and Passion Flower growing over it with Jasmine wind ing up the corner... it looks out onto a tiered waterfall splashing into stone basins as it heads toward the pond full of newts and all sorts of dark things. It is a peaceful sanctuary.

After home cooked bread and asparagus soup we decided that Liz would see the next level up... we have this machine which climbs her wheelchair up the steps.

We stopped at that level and Liz surveyed the flower bed I have planted for her, under her supervision of course.

Then Liz said she wanted to see the upper part. This has to be done on foot. Only two steps up and then a spaced flag stones. I put a plastic chair some 30 feet furhter on.

Nearly there and Liz threw her centre of gravity off to far with a big stride... She ended up on her back in the herbs. She rolled one way sniffed and said, "That's thyme." Then the other way and she paused to say, "oregano" Then finally the garden looks nice from down here. I was still in an OMG state.

We got the inflatable device that gets her up and set too. She was looking every which way as different plants came into view.

We stayed there for quite some time. Her sitting in the huge Mangar Elk like some throne, with a big smile and commenting merrily on the various fruits and vegetables.

Even this, in the end, was part of the idyllic afternoon... another great memory.

[Yvonneandgeorge]

Sounds wonderful and frightening, so happy you was able to enjoy the sun shine, we went to our granddaughters birthday party which was in the garden and the sun was lovely, had a lovely time in the sun like yourselves. It is raining here but still close, the elk is amazing isn't it. Love Yvonne

[Kevin_1 in reply to Yvonneandgeorge]

Well grand daughters are a special kind of joy.

Wonderful.

Yes, the Elk is amasing... using t up the garden was very weird tho'.

[Yvonneandgeorge in reply to Kevin_1]

Yes must if been weird, lucky you have one, George does not fall over now with him being in a wheelchair chair most of the time. Yes granddaughter are lovely, have 2 granddaughters and to little grandsons, so we are very lucky, the only thing is George has no empathy so he is a bit distant sometimes which is very sad. Yvonne

[Kevin_1 in reply to Yvonneandgeorge]

Gosh - I watch Liz's empathy dwindle - That one is so hard...

Family is so important in these times.

Sending hugs and understanding.

[Yvonneandgeorge in reply to Kevin_1]

Yes Kevin one of the worse things about this illness. Hugs back to you, let's hope for another sunny day tomorrow x

[Heady]

That's not fair! Where was this sunshine? We went to watch a cricket match, England V Sri Lanka, S's Christmas present from my daughter, it rained on and off most of the day, then the heavens really opened and the game was abandoned. We dutily sat there, under umbrellas hoping the rain would stop. S was the warmest, with his waterproof sleeping bag and brolly over him. Still it was lovely, doing what normal people do!!!

Glad Liz enjoyed her roll in the the herb garden, what better place to fall!

Lots of love

Heady

[Kevin_1 in reply to Heady]

Thank you

But watching cricket in during rain is such a British thing to do!

Full marks for being stalwart... Glad you had a good time.

[Yvonneandgeorge]

Heady sorry about the rain you had, it was a lovely sunny afternoon in Hertfordshire, we sat in the garden to eat at the birthday party, even sang happy birthday to Samantha in the garden. Did they finish the game? Yvonne xxxxx

[honjen43]

Laughing and crying with you, Kevin_1 . Memories of happy times will hopefully obliterate the anguish. I have those memories too!

[Robbo1]

Lovely! Thank you for sharing. Great to read at the start of a new day. Best wishes to you both. X

[Amilazy]

Thanks Kevin for a smile, I will try some herb scent therapy, though rolling in them is out for M. We had a great Saturday celebrating a grandson's 2nd birthday sunny most of the time but some heavy showers in mid Cheshire. M happy but got very tired with the journeys, young man knows how to treat her and gives her kisses and cuddles without encouragement fascinating to watch.

Thanks Tim

[easterncedar]

Your garden sounds fabulous. Nice that Liz could enjoy the fragrance of the crushed herbs and the unorthodox view - very cute! Your story made me smile.

My guy went suddenly legless on Saturday; he was back to normal on Sunday, but I do need to look into getting one of those elks!

Glad you made an idyllic afternoon. Here's to many more. Love, ec

[Kevin_1 in reply to easterncedar]

They are good, the Elks, very easy to use too. I learned a trick, roll them up the wrong way. They are designed to roll up so that the bottom is upwards. e.g. upside down. My way it flips out ready to use.

The garden keeps me sane.

Liz and I picked this place as our retirement home... we got it all done up and then PSP joined us. We love it here. Liz is a city girl and just delights in flowers and food from the garden. Simple things to enjoy... She always has a fresh Rose from the garden by her chair when they are in season.

We are very lucky.

Sounds like you folk are of a garden kind too.

Warmly

Kevin

[Doglinton in reply to Kevin_1]

Oh yes. Our garden is such a pleasure although here the snails are eating everything. I wouldn't stay out at night in case they eat me !!

I have crystals and chimes around our patio and its lovely.

Jean x

[Escada29]

Oh brilliant lol xx

[NannaB]

Your garden does sound idyllic. If you must fall in the garden, it sounds as if she ended up in the best place. It could have been in a rose bush or down steps, or if like my husband, through the greenhouse glass and in the pond. One blessing of PSP, they don't seem to be in as much pain when they fall as we would. I'm sure Liz will get over the experience before you do.

Enjoy that beautiful garden of yours in what I hope will eventually be a dry, warm summer.

X

[goldcap in reply to NannaB]

NannaB. OMG when did that happen?!!!

[NannaB in reply to goldcap]

2010/11. I had to give up work before my retirement date as he was falling several times a day. Like most, he didn't think there was anything wrong with him so carried on doing everything he always did. It was a nightmare which most of us have gone/are going through.

Now he is totally immobile it is less stressful in some ways but more in others.

X

[goldcap in reply to NannaB]

I understand and empathize completely. I think back to all of the head wounds and resulting trauma. I think hitting his head contributed to the rapid progression of his PSP. For me him being through the angry, violent stage has made it much easier. Was hard to tenderly care for a mean verbally and physically abusive man. He is much more agreeable and more pleasant to be around now. And with our van we are able to get out more much easily. But he does require the care of an infant now whereas he used to be like a toddler going through the terrible twos lol. Funny but not really right? I'm with you sister. Hang in there.

XO Jayne

[Kevin_1 in reply to NannaB]

Oh, my last reply hasn't stuck... Yes, Liz says she bounces and she does... Weird because she has never been good with fear or pain.

Thanks for the good wishes and, if I can ask a favour? Have you any spare sunshine I could borrow?

[NannaB in reply to Kevin_1]

I think the sun has emigrated. If it decides to come back, I'll tell it to visit you.

X

[Doglinton]

That's a lovely memory, Kevin. I love the smell of herbs too. I expect she knew they would smell more when crushed !

I can picture her on her throne, surveying her domain. Great.

love, Jean x

[Kevin_1 in reply to Doglinton]

Thanks Jean... She needs little encouragement!

But watching the top garden 'dawn' on her as she rose up and that small pleased smile on her face was worth everything.

[Doglinton in reply to Kevin_1]

These memories are jewels to treasure.

Jean x

[Kevin_1 in reply to Doglinton]

Yes, they are few... makes each one so precious.

[Nanny857]

Your garden does sound like a lovely sanctuary and I hope you get lots more sunny days together enjoying it. Hope Liz is none the worst after her fall. Nanny857 x

[abirke]

Oh a roll in the garden what a beautiful fall...who needs the water.....

Now that's a happy accident!

AVB

[Kevin_1 in reply to abirke]

Nicely said!

[goldcap]

How beautiful. I can just picture her sniffing every which way! Thanks for sharing

[goldcap]

Kevin, you should dry some herbs and put them away in a cool dark place for when she can no longer get out to the garden and you can give her little wiffs when she is having a bad day. Do not wish to put a negative spin on your positive experience so apologize in advance if I am.

It always gets me when men are loving to their partners on here as mine told me on several occasions (when he could still speak), that if the situation were reversed he could not do what I am doing. I'd like to think he would have come to the plate but I know him to0 well and he is an honest man. I truly am learning what unconditional love means in the PSP journey...

Keep up your loving care and best to both of you!

JGC

[Kevin_1 in reply to goldcap]

Chuckles... No she got a dinner anounced as 'Bum-sat oregano' with home made pasta, drizzled butter and parmisan cheese for supper. One of her favourites. (Can someone explain about callories please - I never did quite get that one).

But, JGC

Yours is such an eloquent post.

I am slowly learning about 'unconditional' Gosh its a big one! I try not to think about that too often, just try to be 'unconditional' one day at a time... and allow myself a few lapses.

Thanks

[goldcap in reply to Kevin_1]

Kevin, some days I have lots of ,"conditions" as well

Jayne

[Kevin_1 in reply to goldcap]

Chuckles

[abirke in reply to goldcap]

Amen Goldcap