Well, my friends, despite all the work I’ve done outdoors, pushing, pulling, bending over, mowing, yanking, carrying heavy bags – I found myself throwing out my back by the simplest of movements; reaching for the toilet paper.
Yep. Nothing outside, nothing brought on by physical extremes, just the mundane. How un-glamorous!
It happened yesterday morning as I was getting ready to spend time on the porch. Not to be deterred, I did spend a couple of hours on the glider, sitting on two pillows, with two pillows behind my back. It was such an extraordinarily beautiful day, with sunshine and bird song all day long, that I had to be out there. The kind of day that was fairly frequent last year, but extremely rare this year.
To be sure, today it’s raining and twenty degrees colder.
Anyway, ain’t that the pits? I find that whenever my back really becomes a problem it’s most often because of some everyday movement that suddenly becomes a betrayal. Sleeping last night was not easy, but thankfully, I did sleep. We had to cancel brunch at Rick and Doug’s this morning, even though I urged Don to go without me. He won’t, darn it.
So. I’m taking it easy – I have no choice – using the heating pad, walking around fairly frequently to stay somewhat limber, you know, the usual. This too, shall pass.
I finally moved the pillows from the living room sofa to the glider and replaced them with other throw pillows. The replacements will only be there for a short while as our new sofa will be here within about 10 – 14 days.
I finished Ex Libris yesterday afternoon and now I’m reading David Coggins’ book about the winter visits to Paris he and his family have made for years, named, appropriately, Paris in Winter. Coggins is an artist and his watercolors are sprinkled throughout the book. It’s really quite lovely.
Mother’s Day has become a not-very-good-day for me. So I tend to ignore it. But I don’t want to ignore all of you, or my sister, who is the best mother in the world. So I wish all of you who are mothers – whether to human children or furry children, farmyard animals, nieces and nephews, students, foster children, grandchildren, neighborhood children, or to green, living things – a Happy Mothers Day.
Happy Sunday.
The porch looks adorable. Wish I was there.
Thank you.
So sorry you hurt your back, but I understand completely. I am in bed this morning because of being on my feet too much yesterday and my bursitis kicked in. John will cook a nice dinner later and the family will come over so at least I can rest. Wishing you a quiet and peaceful day my friend.
To you as well, Linda. xo
I wish you a speedy recovery and sunny days.
Take Care,
Kaye
Park City, UT
Thank you, Kaye!
This is a tough day for all the moms who have lost their fur babies. And sorry about your back. Mine once went out when I was standing in the check out line at the grocery store. Just standing there, and a ripple through my back. I know how you feel. My t.p. is on my left side and I must be careful to reach with the left hand and not my right. No twisting. I’ve had my bad back for 43 years. First time it went out I was changing a diaper on the floor and leaning forward with my legs out in front of me and the baby between. This one thought it was funny to twirl and then crawl away, so I had to keep him corralled. Don’t think I don’t remind him when my back goes out!
As you have the right to do, Tana!
Thinking of you today Claudia as you remember your sweet fur babies and your mom as well.
X Chy
Thank you, Chy.
Claudia, hope you have a peaceful sunday. Your porch is so inviting. Backs are delicate things. I’ve been trying to do sit ups every evening. I’m not sure it’s helping yet (besides making me feel I’m being tortured) but I haven’t had any back twinges for some time.
I never liked sit ups! They’re hard on my lower back, unfortunately! Have a lovely day, Wendy!
Oh Claudia, I’m sorry about your back. As Gilda’s Rosanna said, “It’s always something,” but ick! Well, at least the porch looks gorgeous and I hope you can bring that heating pad outside (assuming it stays warm or dry enough to be out there, even in a bit of a bundle) and enjoy it and survey your territory! I think it owes you something!
It’s pouring outside! No way to sit there today or for the next two days. Rain Sunday – Tuesday and the day time high won’t get past 50 degrees. Darn it!
I think it should be Women’s Day. As you say, all of us take responsibility for something / someone in our lives. Nurturing takes place in so very many different scenarios. Here is to everyone who is caring and loving and seeks peace!!
Well, we did 3 Amish farms/ greenhouses yesterday. Brought home a truck load. Then we turned on the news at 10 last night ~and we had a Frost Warning. Unreal. Hauled it all into the garage. I just wasn’t willing to take a chance on all that “new” vegetation. I don’t know if this will ever end. Or, more likely it will go from our days with the highs in the 50’s to 88*+ every day.
Your yard and porch look lovely and I am so sorry about your back. Maybe it is just telling you “I can’t do anymore before we rest a bit!” Have a good Sunday! Did Don have fun picture-taking yesterday??
I agree!
This spring will go down in the history books, Chris. Such insane weather. We will be locked into the high forties and maybe 50 for the next three days. It’s really a shocking change!
Picture taking was very slow. I guess the season won’t really rev up until June.
your beautiful and kind heart deserves a mothers day greeting dear bean.
as we’re older there are always the bittersweet memories… but the good and strong ones too!
I hope your back heals soon. relax if you can! and look at the fabulous post pictures you’ve shared with us! and DO NOT be lifting on the new sofa when it comes!!! LOL. xoxo
I’m being very careful, Tammy. I promise!
So sorry to hear about your back. We do ask a lot of our backs, I know. I would’ve thought maybe lifting something heavy, like bags of mulch would have done you in….not toilet paper. (I’m sorry…I snickered to myself.) So, now you are forced to take it easy…and enjoy the views you created. And,.,they are pretty. So rest up…and enjoy your day! ;)
Oh, don’t think Don and I didn’t have a laugh at the time! I’m resting up and my husband is watching out for me, Donnamae.
yes, that is the pits! so sorry about your back troubles. glad you can laugh about the irony of how it happened (especially after lugging big bags of mulch, etc.) and are taking it easy. i hope you feel better soon!
kathy in iowa
It’s a bit better now, Kathy. I’ll keep babying it, though! Thank you!
Missing our mothers and honoring them as our children honor us! What a blessing is a mother!!!!
Yes, indeed. Thanks, Brenda.
Sorry about your back. Hope it heals soon. Your porch looks so inviting.
Marilyn
Thank you, Marilyn!
Oh, you know I feel you on the back pain, Claudia! I’ve thrown my back out a couple of times, too and it’s miserable. I’m so sorry. I’m not surprised it happened by doing something ordinary and simple. That’s how it usually happens. Your back was probably under a lot of stress and inflammation from all that yard work and then the simplest of acts caused it to “go out”.
Mother’s Day can be a very painful holiday for a lot of people, myself included. It’s a mixed bag for me. On the one hand, I’m grateful that my son, Tim is still here on earth with me and I’m also grateful that my mother is still here, too and that we have a good relationship; on the other hand, I deeply mourn for my oldest son, Phil. Not that I don’t every day, but of course, this day in particular.
I think of you on Mothers Day, Melanie. After my brother died so young, it was never the same for my mom, either. xoxo
So sorry about your back. My mom used to put her back out doing stuff like that, just reaching for something or bending to pick something up. Hope it clears up quickly and you’re back to normal before you know it.
Still sooooo cold here. #1 son came home and wanted to know what I wanted to do. I’d already told him “NOTHING.” Origins of this choice are all the years and all the brunches with the grandmas while I chased two toddlers, who could care less about eating, around hotel ballrooms. Anyway, he has spent the day doing nothing with me and it’s been fun even though we’re unable to do nothing outside.
Spending the day with your son sounds wonderful, Kay!
Echoing you on all this, Claudia. Happy Mother’s Day to all moms everywhere, no matter species their babies might be – and no matter where they are. Love you too, Mom. Miss you every day. Sniff. 💕
xoxoxo
Oh – I hope your back feels better soon! Currently at the beach with my mom and 2 of my adult children and 2 fur kids having a wonderful mother’s day. I do feel for my husband though who lost his mother this year. Mothers and children – of all kinds are very dear individuals. Take care!
Thank you, Jane!
I’m a retired RN so have had lots of back strain from lifting and tugging. The physical therapy department training always told us back problems were cumulative, that we could lift and tug for long periods & ‘suddenly’ a simple move would throw our back into problems. But that the real problem was not the simple move, it was the final topping on top of all previous strains. So I’m sure that the TP was not the actual culprit, but the final layer after your recent hard work.
I LOVE your porch with the pretty cushions – and the welcoming sitting area.
Yes, that makes sense and was what I was thinking, as well. Thanks, Jan!
Claudia Mother’s day will never be the same for me, for mine passed away in April.
I’m so very sorry, Edis. My thoughts are with you. I know how hard it is. xoxo
After three lovely days in the city—celebrating a son’s birthday and Mothers Day, eating way too much delicious food at some of our favorite restaurants, and strolling leisurely in the sunshine—we drove most of the day yesterday in the rain to arrive at WINTER at the lake! (We waived as we sloshed by the New Paltz exit.)
We toured the new apartment and neighborhood the “sons” have acquired and I approve. It is a co-op overlooking the Bronx river, so parkland runs on both sides of the building, so pretty in the springtime. A brunch at Balthazar and a lunch at Eataly, birthday dinner at Oso—feasts for the eyes and the tummy! Got my NYC fix for the season and lots of BooBoo cuddling. Thanks, Boys.
So sorry to hear about your back! Sending good wishes. You’ve done an amazing amount of work and your gardens and porch look beautiful. Love all of the photos, of course, but especially the rain-dotted leaves and petals. Now, take it easy for awhile! We are going to be huddling by the fireplace for the next few days, around here, waiting for Spring.
It’s the most depressing spring I can remember. I cannot tell you how much rain we’ve had. It’s insane. And now it’s cold here as well. The heat is back on.
I’ve eaten at Oso and loved it. So glad you had a wonderful time with your boys, Shanna.