flowers from my garden in one of my vases
the fragrance from the buddleia is filling up the room
Every few years it seems we have to make certain sacrifices. When we lived in California, Gary's hours and salary were cut and I hurt my back and we had to sell our lavender farm. I can still cry over the loss of that dream. When we lived in Florida Gary couldn't find a job and I was too ill to work and with the house taxes going up every year and the house insurance going up every year we had to sell our home there.
buddleia blossom over 12 inches long
It was one thing when I hurt my knee last year, I adapted by going up and down the stairs stiff legged. But now Gary has hurt his knee and we can't afford to pay someone to do the yard work and I definitely can't mow the steep lawn. We may have to sell our home and get a one level home.
foxglove
Not to mention present and possible future doctor and dentist bills. And having to keep up with the property on such a steep slope. Also Gary goes with me to the farmer's market and he isn't sure he'll be able to help me any longer. The display racks and tables are too much for me to load and unload myself.
look at the vibrant color on the astilbe
Just when I was really geared up for the market season. I was planning on adding herbs and flowers to my display and also photo cards. When you get to a certain age you just can't do what you used to do; at least we can't. It isn't as easy and it takes much longer.
bee balm is taller than I am
Then the new phone I got said Sim card invalid. I called them and they are sending a new one which will get here on Monday. So much for using the Square.
Greek oregano
Over the past six months we had been debating whether we needed to sell. But we love our place here and all the landscaping is filling in; it's a good neighborhood and we have great neighbors.
garden sage
We thought when summer came and warmer weather our tired bones and joints would be doing better. It's rather depressing; all my herbs are in full production; my flowers are spectacular; my tomatoes are going to produce a ton this year.
lone poblano pepper
We thought about renting out the lower room; maybe we could trade for someone to live here and do yard work. Then I thought about hosting a pottery or artist's retreat. But then I think what if the renter doesn't work out and what about liability issues. I think we'd just be postponing the inevitable.
Spanish tarragon
Even the thought of moving is daunting due to all the work involved. And we can't afford to get a new place till we sell this one. So we have to get a temporary living situation and put everything in storage before we can move. Ugh. Gary said a condominium would be perfect. But I don't want to give up pottery. I like making pottery but making enough to sell at the market is really a full time job and I don't want to work full time. Plus I don't have the motivation or energy to work full time anyway. We'd both like to do more traveling before we're too old.
cone flower
And if we had some flat land I could have raised beds and still grow my flowers, herbs and vegetables. Maybe there is a potter/gardener who wants to live here? What's a person to do? In life certain sacrifices must be made.
Thinking the way through a life change is the hardest. It will all come together.
ReplyDeleteHi Joanne, thanks, you hit the nail on the head, the thinking the way through is so very hard for me.
DeleteI am so sorry, and hope it works out quickly.
ReplyDeleteHi Elephant's Child, thanks, I hope it all works out quickly too. I just want to relax as the beach and can't even get there, ugh.
DeleteYou have big decisions to make. I am glad we live in a ranch, we won't have to move as we age! As for the lawn... it's too big to mow without a tractor. We thought we would buy one, then realized it's cheaper to pay someone to mow every 10 days than to purchase a tractor and it's maintenance. It also frees us up to make more work. We take care of the trimming and weeding ourselves.
ReplyDeleteIf you did go to condo living, you could always take classes at a community college or art center.
Hi Michele, thanks, we've always had a riding mower at our larger places. I really would like a little dirt to grow stuff in and we love it up here and there are no colleges and the art center costs an arm and a leg, we shall see. We're trying to find someone to mow the lawn that is dependable and doesn't charge an arm and a leg.
ReplyDeleteWe found someone to mow three times a month, for $185. I thought that was reasonable. He can do other tractor work for us as needed.
Deletewe're looking for someone to mow a 20 x 40 strip with our mower and fuel and willing to pay under $40 each time. we shall see, it takes 20 minutes to do it, walking slow
DeleteOh my goodness, you are facing some big changes, or at least the consideration of them. As always your plants look lovely. And you will find answers to these different challenges I'm sure, though getting to them may take a bit of patience and hard work.
ReplyDeleteHi Barbara, thanks, we are still going back and forth, Gary's knee is better, we shall see
DeleteAh Linda, so sorry to hear of all this. It is so daunting as we age and have to deal with physical issues. I've been reading your blog for several years, and I know of the sacrifices you and Gary have already made. Your garden and plants are all so gorgeous and your house looks wonderful. I'm sure you could sell it very easily, but then working out all the other stuff really wears one down. I hope things can work out the best way for you, in the shortest time as well.
ReplyDeleteHi Barbara, thanks, yes I feel like I am being worn down slowly but surely, we shall see if we can last here, I hope so.
DeleteOh, that's too bad. Have you thought of applying for a reverse mortgage? That might help you financially. However, you still would have to care for that property, and with health issues, you and Gary might not be able to.
ReplyDeleteHi Gigi, thanks, we refinanced recently. I don't think reverse mortgages are a good deal, it's taking care of the property and the stairs that are the biggest drawbacks, we are trying to work on that
DeleteMoving is such a pain! And the older we get the more difficult it becomes. However, the older we get having a low-level-one-level home on flat land is a sensible option, in my opinion. And as we get older a large home isn't necessary, either.
ReplyDeleteRaised garden beds are a great idea, I think. Another great idea as we grow older.
I hope everything works out the way you want it to, Linda. :)
Hi Lee, thanks, we built raised vegetables beds in California out of an old corral boards and those worked out great, too steep here but I had a couple of block ones in Arkansas for my herbs because it rained so much and those worked well too if we move I'll have them again.
Delete