Tuesday 19 August 2014

An even keel

Thank you all so much for your kind comments and good wishes for the biggest boy.  He's a lot less sore now, and today's x-rays revealed that all is healing as it should be.  He can have the plaster off in four weeks, then there will be a brace for two or three weeks and some physical therapy for his weakened leg.  We covered quite a lot of distance at the hospital, it's miles between the departments we needed to be in - firstly the Children's Hospital, then the trauma clinic, then the CH, then the trauma clinic and finally back to the CH.  I stuck the biggest boy in a big wheelchair with a long leg rest.  Someone explained to me that they had been designed so that it was easier to pull them backwards.  We tried it but honestly, it wasn't easy.  So I tried pushing it.  Imagine pushing a caravan.  It had that same kind of motion.  Any slight sideways movement resulted in an enormous arc in the opposite direction to the one you'd expect.  The corridors weren't particularly wide.  I can't tell you how tricky it all was.  It was about a hundred degrees in the hospital and most of the double doors weren't automatic.  As so often, I got hot and bothered and made quite an exhibition of us.  I tried cheering the biggest boy up by running full tilt towards the double doors shouting, "Brace yourself, we'll blast our way through".  His bad leg was leading, so he didn't completely see the funny side of it.  (I did scream to a halt just before we hit, in case you were wondering.  Although I am quite clumsy, so in retrospect I can see why he was a bit nervy.)

He has a dental x-ray tomorrow, and I'm really hoping it's good news there as well.

There have been a couple of other hiccups this week.  A trip to the vet for the guinea pig, and what we thought was a little boiler problem that turned out to be a big boiler problem that will be hugely expensive to repair.  And the boiler is only about eighteen months old.  Yesterday it all felt a bit overwhelming, but today things are looking brighter somehow.  None of this money stuff is the end of the world is it?  It's hard, but there are so many worse things.  So I feel on a little more of an even keel.

I've taken the little people out a bit, to parks and the allotment.  We haven't stayed out for ages, as the biggest boy has been staying at home.  He's allowed to wander around a bit more now though, so I shall lever him into the car and we'll get out and about where we can.

The littlest boy is back on wheels.  I've been shouting, "Be careful" a bit more than normal.


I'm trying to be a bit more relaxed about the allotment.  It will get tidied up eventually, after a fashion.  In the meantime there are odd bits of produce to be had, which we're appreciating.  And I'm remembering how lucky I am to be tending this little plot of land, growing vegetables here where people have been doing the same for nearly five hundred years.  I love the sense of history about the place.  How I'd love to step back in time and see the people who were there before me.










It's a privilege to be a part of this land, and I'm happy we have it in our lives.

29 comments:

  1. I'm glad things are looking up. The weeks that he's healing will fly by.

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  2. Hospitals are never easy to navigate are they? I hope your son continues to feel better and that the dental x-ray is ok. My garden isn't looking as it usually would at this time of the year - a mixture of the weather, and my dodgy foot, but you always know with grading that it isn't the end of the world don't you. It's a forgiving cycle. It can all be cut down in the Autumn (or Spring) and will burst back to life for another year. Hope sons, guinea pigs and boilers don't cause you too many more problems. xx

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  3. Just catching up after a week away... what a time you've had. Hope all goes smoothly from now on - if these things really do come in three's, that would be you done, wouldn't it? x

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  4. You have such pretty colors in your allotment. Looks like the pumpkins will be ready for October.

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  5. I'm always so awed by how very old things are there, and that so many of them are still in use. It's just amazing. I think it's really interesting think about the people who planted there before you. I wonder what they grew? Did they grow things that aren't even around anymore, I wonder. So interesting. I'm going to think about it all night. Thank you for the pondering fodder. I'm glad your son is doing better. I laughed at your hospital experience. I hate hospitals. Sometimes all you can do is make a little fun out of it. Comedy makes everything better, I've noticed.

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  6. I'm glad you are finding your footing with your little guy. And I can understand why you are yelling to be careful a little bit more! And the money thing....ha....one thing after another around these parts as well. But it could be worse and yes it is good to keep it all in perspective. Beautiful Beautiful photos CJ! I wish I could step on back in time with you to check out the gardens! Happy days to you and your boys! Nicole xo

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  7. Oh no, shall have to go back and find out what happened to oldest. It sounds dreadful, poor kid. Hope he heals quickly.

    Hospitals are great places for calorie-burning, what with pushing ponderous patient-laden vehicles and wandering the miles of hallway between departments.

    What gorgeous artichokes you have, and I'd love to know what the pretty purple blossoms are in the shot just above them.

    Hang in there. One day you'll look back on all this and laugh together about it.

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  8. Glad your baby hanging in there. It is so scary discovering that they really are fragile:(
    Loving your photos. The allotment is so beautiful. My nigella flowers are tiny seedlings right now. I have discovered that the nigella seeds are edible, and also delicious. I put them in Indian dishes and naan bread. It makes me so happy to be growing my own spice!

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  9. Doesn't your boiler have a longer guarantee surely it shouldn't break down so quickly.

    Glad things are sorting out.

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  10. It's good to hear that the leg is mending, loved your story about the wheelchair and the hospital ;)

    Your allotment looks wonderful, hope the boiler is sorted soon like Sue says is not under guarantee?

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  11. Glad to hear that the leg is on the mend and keeping my fingers crossed that it's good news for him at the dentist today. I'm in need of a plumber too, the jobs are stacking up actually, a new radiator, another one which isn't working and now the cold bath tap has stopped working, I think it's going to be an expense but they're jobs which have to be done. Your squashes look great, one of my favourite veg.

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  12. Hi again - I forgot to say this site might be useful for you / your son http://www.limboproducts.co.uk I bought a leg protector so that I can still shower as I have to keep my foot dry for 2 weeks. It is brilliant. I thought there might be some bits that could help your son. Hope you are having a good day. x

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  13. Your squash and pumpkins are so exciting! I have always wanted to grow some of those, but I'm still working on getting just a plain Jane orange pumpkin. It IS interesting to think about who gardened in your plot before you - 500 years, that is amazing! What were they growing, what were they wearing, what were their problems at the time? Hope the guinea pig is okay.

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  14. Lovely photos CJ, and huge well done to you for always finding something to smile about and a way to keep things fun.
    Kate x

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  15. I'm glad that your oldest is doing well, it sounds as though navigating the hospital was not a joy though! I hope that the boiler is sorted too, that is not nice. It looks as though your plot is doing well, especially in the squash/pumpkin department! Keep taking care and I hope that the other x-ray goes well. xx

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  16. It's good to see that oldest boy is okay, despite your best efforts with the wheelchair! I like the pictures, especially the dark sunflowers. I also like the sentiments of your last sentence. Flighty xx

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  17. Glad things are looking up hope he's on the mend again soon, I'm just back from a festival and spent the weekend travelling backwards in my wheelchair, as the chair just would'nt push forward through parkland and muddy patches
    Clare x

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  18. I love the picture of the littlest on the skateboard. Your hospital visit will probably be one of those miserable things that is really funny when recollected. I like the trick of running at the doors with a broken foot. It's nice of you to do what you can to get a smile out of your son while he's under the weather.

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  19. I can sympathise with the broken knee - did mine 2 weeks ago, not the kneecap though so am in a brace. Your wheelchair driving sounds on par to my daughters! At least you had a chair with leg lift - they don't exist at new 'super hospital' Southmead!

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  20. Hope your eldest is making good progress - sounds like you've been in a real roller coaster recently, these things always seem to come at once to challenge us. The wheelchair sounds a nightmare.
    At least you have the allotment to calm your nerves - its lovely to see all your veg and flowers, everything looks so thriving and healthy, a result of your hard work. Deep breaths CJ.
    Take care
    Gill xx

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  21. Just wanted to say how m,uch I am loving your blog! Definitely lots here that I can empathise with even though my kids are grown now. I am a fledgling gardener too so there's lots of inspiration!
    Any typing errors are down to the cat sat on my shouilder, its the only way I can stop her sitting on the keyboard-shes being a madam today!
    Be well x

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  22. Your upbeat attitude and perspective are admirable CJ as you manage the summer hiccups. I'm glad he's on the fast mend. Fingers crossed for the dental xrays.

    I love the photos of the allotment, lovely as always, is that an artichoke against such a lovely sky?

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  23. Gosh, how did I miss the accident? Your poor boy, although I expect he coped really well. I remember trying to remain upbeat about things when my son broke his arm (roller blades and another child on a skateboard were to blame). I was completely practical until they took him into theatre to set the arm (it was a green stick fracture) and nearly crumbled as the anaesthetic took hold. That was a very scary moment. Sorry to hear about your boiler (just as the weather is turning a bit chillier as well!); it makes me thankful that my flat is rented and someone else sorts out the repairs for me (on the whole). You're right, of course, as long as we have our family and friends, the money thing gets put into perspective. Wishing your boy better real soon. C x

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  24. Great news on all fronts, well except the boiler that is, that stinks big time. So glad you were able to get out and about and I think you running full tilt towards the doors was very funny.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  25. i'm sorry i have been away (chaotic at work) and am just catching up with all these dramas.
    what a lot you have been thru - i hope you do back to an even keel soon.
    if it gives you any comfort, your garden in high summer - well, almost autumn - looks glorious to this colour-deprived tassie reader (badger destruction at all). it's such beauty - those sunflowers, magnificent! it is a privilege, such a blessing.
    take care.

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  26. Those sunflowers are gorgeous! I just love that you are gardening where others have for such a long time... if we look after our soil it just keeps being productive. Beautiful allotment!

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  27. It's true, you have to be as fit as a butcher's dog to attend hospital these days (our local one is so big it has a shopping area which includes an M&S and a huge Costa). Hopefully, you've had your bad luck three things and all will be plain sailing from now on. Love those allotment pictures.

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  28. Gosh, life has been a bit stressful hasn't it, but you obviously have an upbeat attitude towards it all at the moment, that's not always easy. Your allotment looks very productive. And I love the photo of your son on his skateboard - every so often I hear a loud crash from our kitchen as my daughter falls off hers yet again! Have a good weekend
    Caz xx

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  29. Beautiful artichokes. I can't believe you're boiler is going bad after only 18 months!!! Good luck to you

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