Yes Debra anyone with asthma is certainly at greater risk. Sorry there have been days you could not go out. We have had days with dangerous levels as well and I did spend as much time inside as possible. On the better days I am carrying on since the entire summer may be like this. My eyes are feeling it, a mild burning sensation and the odd headache but I have to get at the garden as there is lots to do.

Dido - Also bad here in Vt., and only seems to clear up during a rain event.

Fortunately, I have it good here in Florida. It is getting hot and that will drive me back in the house. I was getting rain everyday but that has been passing us by for the last week. Stay safe. Smoke is like hitting a brick wall.

Have a great day everyone! Zebra feet

LOL Paula! Been there done that.

Ha, mine often look like that...but I fear it is usually a layer of filth. No matter how long I spend outdoors, my legs and feet remain steadfastly pallid and ghostly pale.

Sympathies for those affected by fires.

I have been suffering from a very serious reaction to bug bites. I've been getting cellulitis and been on antibiotics for like a month. I can't just casually stroll out to my backyard without spraying myself up head to toe with Off and even then, get a few bites. I've made sure there's no standing water, and I'm not sure all the bites are from mosquitoes. So my backyard gardening is in quick spurts.

I’ve stayed in because of air quality too..

out checking storm damage I fell over a downed limb June 29..I broke my nose, my right humerus and dislocated my right shoulder..have an appt with a trauma surgeon July 5..

this is miserable..no gardening for me until who knows when..😭

Oh, @nicholsworth Z6 Indianapolis, that is indeed horrible, I’m so sorry!!

A month ago, I tripped over a small pothole in our street and fell to my knees, then hand, then finally to my face. I luckily had no broken bones, but did have a black eye for a week.

It is amazing how quick these things can happen, and it tends to leave one quite bewildered.

Best wishes to you for the speediest recovery possible! ❤️

love my corgi..I fell flat on my face..it’s a wonder that I didn’t knock my teeth out..

thanks for your best wishes..

OMG, Nw….. I am horrified to hear such injuries from a trip and fall!!! Is the dislocation back in place?? I sure hope your nose and humerus bones can be set and heal with the need for surgery.

I fell off of a stool on my screen porch a few years ago….. I hit the occipital ridge of my skull on the edge of the marble bistro table there……wow did I see stars! I almost blacked out, but fought to stay alert. I called to my husband for help as I couldn’t get up. I am certain I was being watched over that night as that hit to my head could have killed me.

I hope you don’t have a concussion. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

debra

Esther that is a tough go. No matter how much spray we douse ourselves in they still seem to get us.

Oh Ann that is terrible! I am so sorry you are having to go through this. You will not be able to garden but at least you can relax in your beautiful yard.

lovemycorgi yes when we go down it is bewildering. A black eye is no fun but I am happy it was not worse!

debra..I’ll need a shoulder replacement..😭

too damaged to repair..I was stunned..it happened so fast..

Laurie..I’m still in shock..I can’t type well with my left hand but wanted to let you know what happened..

I’m miserable and trapped in a chair so I grabbed my phone..

thank you both for your concern..

nicholsworth - I am so sorry to hear about your fall, wishing you the best healing possible! Keep us posted.

I love your garden pictures through the years, let it comfort you while you heal up.

I'm only kept in by cold and windy weather. I need to just dress for the weather and get out there more, the perennials seem to be flourishing in the 'high of 60' type weather (except tomatoes and other heatlovers that I push the envelope on).

Hoping for all who are impacted by smoke to get relief soon - I know what that is like from past years - protect your eyes too, my son got Iritis one year from smoke. My mom is experiencing smoke in Michigan, must be horrible in even closer proximity in Canada. Take care!

Debra, we’ve had it bad here in SE Michigan also….our weatherman said on one particular day last week that we had the 2nd worst air quality in the entire world, second only to Dubai. I’ve never experienced anything like that either, so have been limiting my garden chores to watering as needed, then quickly returning inside.

lat62..thank you for your nice thoughts..

I can use every positive thought and kind word at this time..💕

Oh my goodness, Anne……. so sorry to hear about your injuries, hope your surgery is soon and you heal quickly!

I would probably be outside a week or two after surgery pulling weeds with my left hand and looking over my shoulder at my hubbie yelling at me for doing it. Just kidding😉……seriously, the garden will wait, just sit back and enjoy your wonderland!

Sherry

Praying for a complete recovery for you nich.

tj

Sherry..it would help me emotionally to be out in my wonderland!..I will as soon as I’m able 👍..

tj..thank you..that’s my hope..👍

Oh Ann, I am so sorry to hear you will need a replacement! Joint replacement is not an easy thing to go through. Most importantly is to rest now and do the prescribed treatment plan after surgery. You have a lovely yard to relax in……health is much more important than hostas……believe it or not! Please keep us posted….. sending prayers for a full and easy recovery.

debra

debra..I was so low thinking about what’s ahead 😭..

but after conversations with family and friends I’m making an effort not to be bitter..not entirely successful yet but I’m working on it..

it’s in my best interests to be positive..but for now I am bummed..I’m ready to have the surgery over..no date yet..

thanks for your prayers..

@nicholsworth Z6 Indianapolis Ann, I am horrified at your injuries from your fall. Shoulder replacement is a tough one. Not me, but immediate family member & friends have had both replacements & repair surgery & each said the best thing that helped them in recovery is an ice machine for pain and swelling relief. If your doctor doesn’t talk about using for your recovery I really encourage you to ask about it. I do wish you a good recovery. I can really understand about your being stunned & I can imagine how your poor face looks right now from some recent personal experience. There was an awful accident in my household this past Tuesday afternoon & my husband also has a broken nose. He fell backwards when halfway up the stairs carrying a heavy A frame ladder. He was transported to ER by ambulance. So lucky for him CT scan showed no head, neck or shoulder injuries - the broken nose & cuts around & on nose were his worst injuries. Couple stitches on bridge of nose close to corner of eye. His glasses which are flexible didn’t break but really did a number on one eye. Saw ophthamologist next day to check for eye injury & ENT for nose is tomorrow as swelling down enough. His nose looks ok, not misshapen. I’ve been insisting on cold pack over eyes & nose 4 x’s daily & I think it’s helped as swelling is so much reduced & purple color dropped down to cheek bones. It’s helped his headache too from the couple of goose eggs he has. Ann, reading about your misfortune honestly made me cry for you while thinking about my husband and how much worse it could have been. I understand you are still in shock and you probably don’t quite remember your fall. My husband doesn’t - he does remember losing grip on bannister. I was above him on stairs & I don’t remember lifting the heavy ladder off him or calling 911 - only that I was talking to them. As they always say - It all happened so fast! A blink of an eye thing. Please try to let us know how you’re doing as you can. As you go through your recuperation, I hope your family and friends will sit you in a nice shady spot in your garden and very obediently take instructions from you on which gardening task needs doing next!

KW..thank you..I look and feel horrible..it hurts to blink!..I have multiple cuts on my face..

the Dr said ”your nose looks straight but you have 2 fractures..nose issues can be addressed later”..minor compared to my shoulder..

I’m sorry about your husband’s accident 😢..I’m sure he feels terrible too..my best wishes for him..

I’d love it if someone offered to work in my garden!..

So sorry, Ann. Take care and follow doctor’s orders 😊

So sorry to hear of all the ailments and accidents hope and pray for better days ahead. It makes me feel gratitude for the degree of good health I have. As I get older I do not have the energy to do work in the garden as I would like to. I think the air quality here in SW MI hinders my breathing some and hence saps my energy. It also affects my vision as I wear one contact and it seems to get filmed over. I still try to get out every day but get little done beside watering which is a chore in itself, dragging that hose all around.

One nuisance I have to deal with is all the ticks, they are terrible this year. If I stay out very long, my DW insists I undress before coming in the house proper and she checks me out for ticks and then shower. Quite often i will have one or more on me. I accuse her of trying to get an easy cheap thrill. :-)

@nicholsworth Z6 Indianapolis Please try the cold pack across your eyes and nose every few hours. My husband says it really helps. He’s a hard one to nurse - the ”I’m fine” type. Not once has he said that this time so I know he’s very jolted. I am sending good strong thoughts your way..

@old_dirt 6a …dragging that hose around - man that chore made me cranky & tired. I do have irrigation system but so many things need an extra drink in heat of summer, thus the hose dragging. A few years back I got a Water Right hose. I liked it so much I got another one. Then I got one for my older than me aunt in AZ after visiting her & dragging her heavy hose all around. She loves it. It’s easy to coil up on a hook. This hose is so much lighter & if it gets dragged over plants it doesn’t break them all up. It puts out great water flow & pressure doesn’t seem reduced at all. I highly recommed. My husband says I’m so much cheerier after I come in from watering chores now! I have 50’ & 100’ in the 600 series. Here’s a link

Water Right Hoses

but if it doesn’t work it’s waterrightinc.com

We were in code red air quality last Wednesday and Thursday. The whole family went to an amusement park those days. It pretty much cleared out on Friday. I grew up a few miles outside the city limits in Pittsburgh. It was when air quality control was still in its infancy and the mills were still going full force. The city always was like that. Nothing new to me. What holds up my gardening is the rain. There was no weeding done last week It rained Monday and Tuesday, I was gone Wednesday and Thursday., Friday I had to cut the lawn and weed wack. Yesterday thru this Tuesday .... more rain. Hopefully by the end of the week I will be able to weed.

Ann, that is really bad...very sorry. Good luck with the surgery.

(On the poor Air Quality days I garden while wearing a KN95 mask.)

indianagardengirl..old_dirt..KW..rouge21..too painful to write much..thank you all..

Ann it is understandable that you are in shock, anyone would be after those injuries. I would be bummed too but everyone is right that a positive attitude will help (easier said than done in your state). My heart goes out to you and I am sending virtual hugs. There is no need for you to reply when it is too painful.

Kathy it is almost good that neither one of you remembers the incident and I am relieved that it was not a worse outcome. I know you must both be shaken up by it though. Stay safe!

old_dirt you are right, she is looking for a cheap thrill!

Nich/Ann, I join others in wishing you a FAST recovery. That must have hurt like crazy. Wow. While you are out of your garden I suppose you post more pictures of that lovely granddaughter. I still remember her going at it in a photo you posted. Was that three years ago? Who knows. She is charming. Get her in the garden, but only in a spot with things tough enough to handle and enjoy it! Again, wishing you a FAST and speedy recovery.

Regarding the weather, the original post, I will say my weather is influencing my gardening in a wonderful way. We are wet wet wet and cool and I have divided and moved things to a garden at a new office much much later than I ever would have dared if weather was normal. My house will probably have some mildew issues, but the gardening is perfect. I am grateful the wildfires aren’t affecting us here.

Good grief, Nichs, our fragile bones. Horrible to hear of your dreadful injuries. And accessing healthcare. I have no real idea how it all works in the US - different over here. At least you are now in the system, with some hope of relief. Hoping you have help and support. around you.

For gardeners, when all seems a bit dire in the present, we can usually sustain ourselves with future plans - spring bulbs, growing plants, changes always occurring, with us or without.

This will pass - new shoots.

Nicholsworth -- I am so sorry to hear of your accident! Wishing you a speedy recovery. Hopefully you'll at least feel up to sitting outside and enjoying what you've done over the years and that will lift your spirits a bit, even if you can't actually do any work.

KW -- That is miraculous your DH didn't get hurt any worse than he did with a backwards fall down the stairs!! Sending him good healing thoughts, too...

I've been doing stuff here and there the last couple weeks when I've had time. Last weekend I had two long sessions -- my front shrub border was a mess, I didn't put down mulch last year and the weeks took over, and a couple shrubs I planted got much tallerer than expected and were blocking the window. I can't move large shrubs by myself anymore, DH helped me with that and we moved them to down by the road, the tallness down there will be good for more privacy. So then I had to put in some new shrubs to replace those, but slipping shrubs out of a nursery pot and into a planting hole is a heck of a lot easier than moving large, established shrubs! Had a good soaking rain after which I got to work on the weeds, put down a thick layer of leaf mulch and now I'm not embarrassed anymore when anyone comes to the door LOL!

And I've been obsessing over the potted plants. I mean, I'm ridiculous, I'll admit it. Pot has to have just the right plant in it and be in just the right spot, not an inch to the left or to the right, and if I don't like it I'll re-do it. I think I've got everything where I want it now...I think... LOL!

The air quality held me back with exercise more than gardening, since I'd been at work most of last week and usually don't do much of anything outside after I get home from work other than maybe a little puttering around. But no walking on my lunch break or triking on my days off - no way, not with my asthma. The air quality is much better yesterday and today, but it's been raining. I feel much better when I exercise, physically and mentally, so that's bothering more than not working much out in the garden.

Still ridiculously dry, grey and windy, so I consoled myself with a seed sowing session in the greenhouse -. Iceland poppies, wallflowers, platycodon, penstemon, foxgloves and a couple new to me - uruspermum and fibigia. Ordered small leaved clover to sow in the neighbouring 'paths; and around the compost bays and fruit trees as a sort of living mulch. I have a vast number of seeds which I am just going to broadcast all over the dread areas of the allotment (where I keep the prunings to dry out, all the old pots, various battered tools). It cannot possibly look worse than it currently does and nothing is growing in seed packets so why not. I will do a glyphosate spray first then just throw the lot on the ground as I feel reproached, every time I rummage about in the seed box.

Ah, Nichols, I have a 12 year old grand-daughter who is just hovering between charming and delightful pre-teen loveliness and surly adolescent sarcastic idleness. Her mum gets all the sweary nowtiness but, as I have the protected characteristic of 'nana',, I mostly get the sweet natured helpfulness. Always hugely amused to see those couple of years of teenage angst being visited on my daughter. What goes around, comes around. I swear, the words 'family therapy' were often on my lips when daughter was at the same age.

Ann, you did not take over the post……all the rest of us did with our concern for you! I don’t mind when a post meanders……we are a community after all and gardening isn’t just about caring for plants, but for people too. I hope you don’t wait long for surgery…..since you have a broken bone, hopefully your surgery will be expedited. Sending love ♥️♥️♥️

debra

debra..that’s so sweet ❤️..

it’s been uplifting to read people’s encouraging words..

I am ready to have surgery and start recovering👍..

Nicholsworth, i am very sorry to hear about your accident. i cant imagine the pain. That is a lot if trauma to endure. I have felt your pain but never all at once. Fell on kid’s traintrack and smashed my face. A years ago i broke my humerous; i was begging for morphine by the time i got to the hospital and i need both shoulders replaced. “Wear and tear” is not a benign process when the body is involved.

try to remember you did not just fall and skin your knee. You have three traumatic injuries. One is emotionally and physically exhausting. Three is big time pain.

try not to be too brave- do what you need to do to stay comfortable. i hope the doctors are offering what you need. Untreated pain slows physical healing. Sleep and sleep more the body heals while sleeping.

i sgree about the icing machine .

no keeping or recycling ice packs through the freezer.

but youve hot so many injuries you certainly need ice packs too.

i watched a lot of tv after i broke my shoulder because i couldnt hold a book. ive gone way too long. i wish you the best. you will heal. It takes time. Be patient with yourself

marie

Marie..thank you..so true that my injuries are miserable..I’m not the only one here that has suffered..life is painful!..knowing of others that healed and moved on is good motivation..

@nicholsworth Z6 Indianapolis Ann, are you a reader for entertainment? If yes and maybe even if no, while you’re in recovery, think about listening to books on CD. If you haven’t done that before, it takes a bit of getting used to being read to. But, when you’re distracted and cannot focus on a page or ereader as it’s too much effort to focus the eyes, listening to a book is great. It’s soothing, distracting & if you’re having trouble sleeping, could lull you into slumber! But, you can always run the book back to catch up on what you snoozed through.

I also must say to you that your positive and determined attitude is going to get you through this trial. What @Marie Tulin said is absolutely right - don’t be too brave and do what you need to do to be comfortable. One more full day before your visit with surgeon. You will be able to plan for the time ahead in your journey to healing then. Stay strong! Please update us as you’re able.

KW..I haven’t tried listening to books but I might!..sounds convenient with just one arm..

I’m trying to stay positive but this is rough 😭..

thanks for thinking of me..

surgery 7-13..will update when I can..

That is good Ann. I am sure you wish it was sooner but still not bad. Chin up friend!

Ann, this is not what I was hoping to read when I opened this thread....

am the one that deals with your early injury as my job. If am able I like to set things into perspective.

God never sends you a challenge that one can not handle. There rarely a present awareness why did you need it in your life but it still there.

You have pain, it is wonderful as you still have your extremity attached and will be able to use it in few weeks. When you can not feel your pain, it is much worse sign.

See if you can accept it as an challenge, adventure of sorts, what other skills you need to learn?

Body is magical and will have all healing mechanisms it needs.

CVS sells topical  roll on Arnica, very useful on bruises, strained muscles. Not to be used on open wounds. I keep one in the house for any muscle/bone injuries and find it works wonders.

Laurie..I had no say in the matter 😢..4am and I’m up typing with my left hand..using Houzz with a new sign on so that predictive text works (helps)..thank you
lindalana..thank you..I go from angry, frustrated, depressed to thankfulness for support and my overall health..I think I should have a decent outcome..I cried yesterday talking to my sister..this is tough..

@nicholsworth Z6 Indianapolis - Was there any mention of getting or providing you with an ice machine to ease your recovery? July 13th! Big day! Please know that I, along with many of us in this gardening virtual community, will have you in our thoughts.

KW..no mention of an ice machine..I didn’t think of it either..the ice pack I have does help..

thank you

Nicolsworth/Ann

I'm going to try to send you a private message. Look out for it.

I just sent it.

Marie

I am praying too for a good outcome. My sister had to have both shoulders done (not at the same time) and now needs both knees done……I helped her the first week or so. A CPM machine (moves your arm passively) and an ice machine were standard protocol for recovery. She had a catheter in her neck to deliver morphine the first 48 hours. It was immensely helpful. The anesthesiologist inserts this, so you may want to ask about it. I am so happy you have someone to help you. I did the best I could with her, but I was only 6 months post op myself from the first hip replacement. You will get through this. 🙏🏽♥️👍🏽