Memo to self: take it easy

[redbird]

I do not have to—and should not—do anything domestic for the next few days. It's okay if I don't get any writing done.

My task is to relax, recover, and not overdo anything in ways that could cause long-term problems. It's pneumonia, not a cold or an allergy. My mother will not get upset if I don't vacuum.

I will not go out, buy crocuses or other bulbs, and rush them into the ground before it's too late. The Vinca will overwinter, or not, and I will let it happen as the climate and chance dictate.

Comments

Take It Very Easy

[freeme6.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear about the pneumonia -- I'll keep my fingers crossed that it gets better soon. And yes, you should take it easy, rest, and be good to yourself. The thing with illnesses like pneumonia is that you start feeling better before you really are better, which makes it easy to have a relapse.

As for the vinca, mine not only survives the winter up here (I'm in zone 6a, close to the edge of zone 5), it stays green most of the year. Well, except for the variegated variety I tried a couple of years ago.

Take care,
Elly

Re: Take It Very Easy

[redbird]

Thanks. I'm trying.

How are you doing up there? (We've been redefined as zone 7 instead of 6, by the way.)

[misia.livejournal.com]

Indeed. Lying down, hot tea, nice long baths, gentle puttering, good books, and general Being Kind to the Redbird would seem to be indicated. Feel better soon!

[lisajulie.livejournal.com]

mom -9 redbird "relax for two weeks"
mom redbird "check in with me for permission for more activities"

Can you tell I wrote the mom manpage for where I used to work.

Take care and treat yourself gently.

PS. I can supply you with the .nroff source for the man page for the mom command. I am that geek!

[redbird]

Thank you.

Yes, I'd like that manpage.

[rainliver.livejournal.com]

Feel better.

[purpletigron.livejournal.com]

"Sing out, sibling!"

Does it hurt when you try to stand up? That's great reminder to relax, I'm finding... :-)

[celestialabyss.livejournal.com]

Take care, there! Recline with a good book, and lots of gentle food that you don't have to prep yourself.

(Besides, it is not too late to plant crocuses until, say, mid-November or even later.)

[angeyja.livejournal.com]

My intent to plant always seems greater than the actuality, which I know will cross my mind again in the spring. Still, I like to see the garden as a joy not an obligation. I'm in a zone 4-5 climate (with a few microclimates near the house that are z6 but they present different challenges) but even here there are windows of time to plant much later.

I did get 100 or so daffodils in in late September, and the lily seedlings (also about 100) tucked into their winter spots. I have a bag of over 300 rose hips from last summer's crosses waiting on the back porch for when a slow time arrives to clean and stratify. No rush.

[redbird]

It would be much easier to skip if it were only an obligation--after all, I'm sick. But I enjoy planting, and I enjoy watching things come up, and there's a spot where the Vinca didn't take.

[angeyja.livejournal.com]

Understood. One of the big draws for me getting my hands in the ground. Frustrating to have the desire, and have to be recuperating. Best wishes with that.

Shade garden? Do you know why it didn't take? It doesn't grow well for me. A lot of other ground covers do but not the vinca, and I'm still playing with a couple of areas that are dry shade. haven't found anything yet that seems to handle that well.

[redbird]

This is the tiny bit of sunny spot I have, around a street tree. I've almost given up on the shady area that's part of the building property, because they keep ripping out perfectly good plants.

[angeyja.livejournal.com]

This is the tiny bit of sunny spot I have, around a street tree. I've almost given up on the shady area that's part of the building property, because they keep ripping out perfectly good plants.

*Nods* Pots are good, but I have no skill with them. I depend on Mother Nature to handle the watering. I do have one Chinese tree peony Grand Duke Dressed in Blue and Purple http://207.76.73.236/templates/clientvars.cfm?clientc=NO&wherefrom=CELLAR&whichord=0&vendorcode=OWNER&usepasswords=N&subname=NA&gospecials=Y&special=R&department=ALL&pcode=P60 in a root control bag, mainly because I'm afraid to transplant it.

Tree roots are a part of my little areas I'm still working with too. We're also in a city, and while I can appreciate the privacy they provide, I'm having to adjust to the fact that I'm losing my sun (more Rugosas!) and the roots are another issue. Henry Mitchell had the right of this I think. Although, I'll admit if pressed to feeling sad when they cut down the Ginkgo a few years ago. That tree not only predated the houses, but probably the colonists.

Some day when you have time, here's a nice window shopping site: http://www.oldhousegardens.com/

[redbird]

Unless you live in East Asia, the ginkgos don't predate human settlement in the area: ginkgos lived only in Asia until fairly recently, when they became a popular street and park tree (though in most places only males are planted--Inwood is unusual in having ginkgo fruit littering the sidewalks).

[angeyja.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the information. I'll still miss the tree but it makes it easier. No, we live somewhere near Albany, NY. And yes, I know it's probably silly to miss a tree.

[redbird]

Not silly at all.