Of Cataracts and Coreopsis

[Snowwark]

Whoever it was that said... men make the worst patients, must of met my Dad.

He had cataract surgery yesterday morning, so I've been spending time at my parents, helping him (and my Mom) out. Yes, doing my best Nurse Ratchett imitation!!

In between the drops and the drugs, I was able to spend some time cleaning out their garden beds and containers, finally.

My Mom enjoys her garden, but at 82, it's too difficult for her to really work in them. In fact last year, she was crouched in the middle of the bed, pruning a carpet rose, and fell over!! She couldn't get up, and her voice is very weak, so my Dad didn't even hear her calling him. She lay there for almost half an hour. She was okay, a bit muddy, and actually laughed about it. I remind her constantly to keep her portable phone in her pocket, but she forgets.

Anyway, on to the Coreopsis!! She has 7 big Coreopsis (Zagreb), that originated from our garden, and they've done superbly!! It's strange, we haven't really done a lot with her soil, but they seem to be thriving there. I love when that happens! It was time to cut them down, but I think I'll need to divide them next year. Anybody want some?

The other good thing about taking care of her garden and planters, is that I get to pick out everything!! All the stuff I have no room for, I plant in her beds!

Anyone else do parental gardening??

Anyone else out there????

 

[mommytotwo]

Hope your dad has a fast recovery. My grandma had cataract sugery before, but that's when I was little so don't remember it.

Do you have a picture of how the coreopsis looks like?

We live with my parents, and I garden everyday here. Today I tended to the weeds, and my fingers are hurting from using the scissors to much.

 

[amid chaos]

Hey nurse Rachett!!! How's your dad today??

I will be playing nurse rachett for the next few days for DH, NOT looking forward to that...in fact, by Friday I may be in a hotel room...LOL

I dont get to play in anyones garden but mine..lucky you, Kim.

 

[marydmjj]

Kim,

I hope your dad is doing well.

I don't work in my parents garden yet. In fact, my dad just gave me a big bag of gladiolas bulbs from their garden. I'm sure the day will come when I'll be at their place puttering.

 

[Snowwark]

Nurse Ratchett here!

My Dad is doing fine, thanks Buds! Now if only I could get him to believe that! I wish they had patience pills for people dealing with patients!

Oh oh Vanessa, I hope your DH isn't dealing with anything too serious! If things get bad, consider coming to Canada for a visit!

No pics Patsy, especially now that the Coreopsis have been shorn. Maybe next summer!

 

[Mamu]

Wishing your Dad a speedy recovery.

My DH tells me I'm heartless when He's sick. We are both recovering from bronchitis, him 3 weeks, me 2 weeks. It hard not to catch when someone is coughing all over you, even though you walk around with a can of Lysol spraying everything they touch. While he moamed, coughed, groaned, coughed and complained about everything. I paint the ceiling, walls and stenciled the living room. While waiting on him hand and foot broken toe and all, making lots of chicken soup and herbal teas. According to DH though, he was sicker then me. YEP!

 

[sorcerormickey]

Hi Snowwark!

My mom had cataract surgery on both eyes just a couple of months ago. She is doing great - she sees better than I do now (not that I'm jealous since I have to wear glasses ) But, I had to do her eyedrops - it was always a struggle. It was like she turned into a little kid - arguing with me that "she didn't need them anymore"! Your dad will be just fine!

But, speaking of gardening...My mom lives with us, and whenever I am in the garden, she is too. I am grateful for the help! Since we moved here, we have dug 5 new beds and expanded 1 that was already here. I don't think I've lugged so much sod in my life! But, Mom did a lot of lugging herself, so that really helped. Now she is out almost everyday watering or fertilizing, or just doting on her 10 new palm trees which she has dubbed "her babies". (All this from the person who did not want to move here. )

Best wishes to your dad for a speedy recovery!

 

[gina2000]

Hiya, Kim! I hope your dad is doing well. I'm not such a hot nurse....I always tell the sickkies to take a hot bath and go to the doctor. Stay away from me. I know, I know...not nice!

My mom is a wonderful gardener. She loves roses and annuals. She's developed an interest in hostas.....so I have shared some of them with her. She, in turn, plants rose clippings for me and grows them into sturdy little shrubs. Gives them to me and I try my darnedest not to kill them.

 

[Snowwark]

Mamu, I hear you!

I'm sorry that you and DH haven't been feeling well, and hope you both recover soon....your little toe too!! I must say though, that I wish I had half of your energy. Even when you're sick, you're a dynamo!!

Sorcerormickey, your Mom had both her eyes done at the same time? My Dad will get his left eye done after Christmas, then it's my Mom's turn. I KNOW she'll be a much better patient, she's a trooper!

The two of you have dug 5 beds, wow!!! Obviously you both work well together, and it's a nice hobby to share, isn't it! My Mom is more of an observer. I hope her 'babies' continue to thrive!

Gina, who said you're not a hot nurse? I don't believe that for a minute!!

Maybe someday, I'll get to see the roses she shared with you, the ones that are still living, that is.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Snowark, I feel for your mom, it's great that she can laugh, and she is lucky that you found her.

I hope your dad continues his recovery!

Mom will be 85 in December, she does some garden work. She grows very good Jersey tomatoes, and she keeps her houseplants green. Mom is very independent and so far, so good. The senior benefits, like bus transportation, are very good in Cape May County, NJ, where she lives alone.

Bobbi

 

[Snowwark]

Originally posted by bobbiwoz
I hope your dad continues his recovery!

Mom will be 85 in December, she does some garden work. She grows very good Jersey tomatoes, and she keeps her houseplants green. Mom is very independent and so far, so good. The senior benefits, like bus transportation, are very good in Cape May County, NJ, where she lives alone.

Bobbi

My Dad is doing very well, thank you Bobbi!

That's wonderful that things are going well for your Mom!! That's how we always hope things will be, isn't it.


Good of her to keep you supplied with those famous Jersey tomatoes!

My Mom uses a cane, and is very unsteady on her feet, which is part of the reason she's a gardening observer these days. It also means no buses or travelling alone. Her eldest daughter is very strict about these things.