Love Verde, Basil and Fern. Adding in Sage.

In my area, the people living in expensive houses are least likely to able to afford to evacuate because they are house rich and cash poor. Bad decisions, yes, for buying more house than they can afford, but it does seem to be common. Florida also has a large elderly population, people who have moved to warmer climates in their retirement. Their finances probably runs to both extremes.

National news interviewed an older couple that didn’t evacuate. The husband’s cancer has spread to his spine and paralyzed him. He is confined to a hospital bed in their living room. She put a life vest on him and covered him in a tarp because she couldn’t do anything more. That totally broke my heart. Thankfully, they are fine. Given that the majority of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, they can’t afford to take time off work, pay for transportation and lodging, etc. I have family in Houston and they were very far out of the evacuation area for Harvey, yet they ended up with water up to their doors because that storm system just sat over the area and the storm drains backed up.

https://www.johnnyseeds.com/tools-supplies/post-harvest/wash-pack/salad-spinners/ The 5 gallon is $200, so pricey. The 1 gallon is $100. I eat a high % raw vegan diet for chronic health issues so I could easily use a one gallon one. I really think I may put it on my anniversary/Christmas/birthday list. (Yeah. They are all right there at Christmas.)

I had an oxo one for probably close to 20 years. Since when they first came out. I dropped it recently and broke it. I don’t know the brand I replaced it with, but I went with the largest one I could find on Amazon. Now I see some online garden places carry a five gallon commercial one and I may be crazy enough to get one. I eat a ton of salad greens. I would actually like to have several, as they do make a great crisper. If I had multiple ones, I would use some for storage and one to… spin. A salad spinner is probably my most used kitchen item.

I have young onset Parkinson’s, which has some overlap into dementia and memory issues. I have horrible sleep issues, including anxiety and paranoia during night hours, which leads to poor sleep and worsening of memory during the day. I have been on prescription sleeping pills for a few years. They were effective for a year or so, then not. My doctor just increased my dose this week and the difference has been amazing. I sometimes feel like memory and sleep can be a downward spiral. Of course, with sleeping pills or with getting up at night, one has increased risk of nighttime falls.

I used to drive a smaller white suv and had that same exact experience. It was hit six times in two years. The last one totaled it. Five I was behind the wheel and it was not my fault. One my DH was behind the wheel and he was not at fault. In fact, at that one, we were sitting at a red light, had been sitting at the red light!, with the car behind us the whole time. He thought traffic took off because lane next to us had a green arrow and they started moved so he romped on it. And that was way before cell phones or pagers, so that was not his excuse. Two of the accidents were in one week, same road. First one on Monday evening coming home from work on busy two lane road. I had to stop because someone way ahead was stopped, waiting to make a turn across traffic. I was already stopped when guy behind me plowed in to me. (Again, way before technology!) Then. Friday morning, on way in to work, same situation. That time the car hit me so hard, his car went clear up under my small suv. Neither time were into rising or setting sun. Another accident, we were sitting at a red light when a largeconstruction vehicle pulled out from work zone. He said he looked right and left and forgot to look straight ahead?!?! He hit the very, very back part of my bumper, but with so much force it picked up my suv and turned it sideways. I swore I would never ever have another white vehicle. Alas. I found a vehicle I wanted and at that time the only one in the area with the features I wanted was white. I reluctantly got it. Knock on wood. It has 105,000 miles on it and all has been great. I will say, it is much bigger than the other white suv.

This is so precious. Thank you for being so kind.

Tai chi is excellent for balance and core strength. My son and I took classes together a number of years ago. The instructor also taught at senior centers around the area. She was always saying how tai chi is a constant back and forth between left and right foot, coupled with the arm motions, teaching elders how to shift their center of balance without falling. She was a huge advocate for seniors or anyone with chronic health issues using tai chi as an enjoyable, soothing form of physical therapy. Arm movement is another skill that some elders need assistance Re-learning. As people get stiffer with age or with chronic issues, they may not swing their arms in a normal synched manner. I did not realize I wasn’t swinging my right arm, nor did my DH. We have no idea how long I wasn’t swinging my right arm. But little things like that can really affect gait and balance. I still have to consciously think about moving my right arm, otherwise it tends to hang down.

Thank you so much. I really appreciate your kind words. It has been a battle but I’m not going without a fight. I was in physical therapy during Covid lockdown time period. It was an awful experience. In hindsight I am so thankful that insurance said they wouldn’t pay for any more. When the lockdown ended, I drug myself in to the gym I used to belong to but hadn’t been in a few years. I had planned to use the stationary bike that day, as there is research that biking is good for Parkinson’s patients. I ran in to a trainer I knew from years past. We sat down and talked, as we were about the entire people in the gym. (This was maybe a week after the lockdown was lifted.) I hired him on the spot. Best thing I have ever done. It is expensive, but we consider it an investment today to - hopefully - bank against future falls/medical expenses. HV, Your own journey is so amazing. Thank you for sharing. To the OP or anyone that needs this, fall prevention is so important. You can have all the best safeguards in place, but the best thing anyone can do is keep up their mobility and work every day on core strength and balance. When I started with my trainer, I was only able to do stationary lunges while holding on to a bar. He now has me doing walking lunges with a heavy barbell. It can be built back. My balance/brain is different every single day. I never know if I will be leaning left or feel like I am falling back to the right. I feel like I am in a perpetual fun house. Having the ability to pull myself out of a stumble and to know how to soften and roll in to a fall if I can’t regain my balance has been a game changer.

I have young onset Parkinson’s and falls are a part of my life now. It is easy to brush them off. I did for a long time because I didn’t want to admit how much I was falling, not to mention the millions of times I almost fell. I will be getting a Garmin watch soon that has fall detection and I wear a medical alert bracelet when I am out by myself. I was seeing a physical therapist but he was more interested in teaching me how to use a walker and not in how to regain strength so I didn’t need a walker. When insurance had decided I had enough PT, I started seeing a personal trainer weekly and the improvement over the past few years has been incredible. Core strength is key because we pull from our core to avoid falling when we stumble. My trainer has also worked with me on lunges, stepping up and down curbs, even “how to fall,” which comes in handy! I can now regain my balance without going all the way down. My neurologist recently sent me to vestibular therapy which has been very helpful. Proper hydration is so important, too. All summer, I was struggling with low blood pressure and my doctors advised me to get more salt in my diet and to take electrolytes. That has been amazing. I also now keep a pitcher of water out and measure out how much I am drinking, because otherwise I would just be drinking caffeine all day. I don’t know how active your mom was prior, but I highly recommend Pilates on the reformer for core strength, as you get a lot out of short workouts. Yoga balance poses, by a wall, are also good for building up strength in core and legs.

I have not been to a funeral in a number of years but have to attend one tomorrow. I actually just got home from shopping for an outfit to wear. When my (fairly young) neighbor passed away a number of years ago, his family had a lovely, low key celebration of life. My late aunt planned her services (three!) after her cancer had spread to her brain. Someone really should have stepped in and downsized them after she passed. It was awful. As was my husband’s former boss’ wife’s services when she died tragically. But the husband did have a fully catered celebration of life at his home after and that was beautiful. I have told my family that I don’t want a funeral or services, but I do love the idea of a fully catered meal and small celebration at a local park or garden.

Austin traffic is notoriously bad.

With the other symptoms, I would recommend seeing a neurologist if you haven’t seen one yet for the vision and dizziness. I have young onset Parkinson’s and have been having problems with low blood pressure - 80/60 type range. I am on meds that can cause low blood pressure, but so can the Parkinson’s. I am plant based vegetarian, not quite vegan but getting closer. My family doctor told me to add salt/electrolytes to my water until I can get back in with my neurologist. After a week of drinking electorates daily, my blood pressure seems to be evening out. hope you find answers.

Thank you!

Oh, this thread has me inspired to finally make homemade salad dressings. I had a recipe I loved years ago but lost it and haven’t tried to make my own in ages now. I don’t like many on the market, as they taste too processed. The ones I do like tend to be expensive! I was looking again today and couldn’t find any I wanted to try for the price. Last year, I bought a huge bag of dried organic chickpeas. Ten pounds, I think. It was so amazing to have fresh chickpeas, they cooked up quickly and were extremely inexpensive! I think the bag worked out to 13 cents per serving.

Reading this, I kept thinking, “Did I write this and not remember that I did?!?” Seriously. This is my life, except DS is now in college. I flip online and at a local market. And I garden. A lot. I have a really big garden. We pulled DS from preschool because it was just a nightmare. We thought we would homeschool for a few years, wait until DS’s abilities evened out then put him in school. We ended up homeschooling all the way through. On one hand, I did absolutely love homeschooling and it was the best thing for DS and for that, I have no regrets. On the other hand. I started a small business several years ago flipping things, thinking it would update some of my skills and help me get back into the workforce. Then I got sick and now I can’t work because I have days that my balance is so bad I can barely get out of bed. So I putter around my garden. And I do love gardening and I am now focused on gardening for my health, with goals of growing most of my food. I am trying to be content with that, but I am not there yet. I feel vulnerable, too dependent, which is unnerving. We live in a society where everyone prides themselves on being busy and view “success” mainly through careers. It’s hard. I am sorry you are feeling this. You are not alone. I do think it is normal - the grass is always greener… To think about what could be, “if only.” Hugs.

I have young onset Parkinson’s and had a full day of memory testing last year. How I passed, I have no idea. The other day, I called my female dog the name of our male dog that passed away 20 years ago. Then when I tried to correct myself, I called my dog a male name sort of similar to my dog’s name (wrong vowel sound), then I couldn’t figure out how to say my dog’s name even though I finally got it right in my head. My neurologist says my memory issues are related to not getting good rem sleep. I don’t know that I agree with that, but I did pass the memory test another doctor gave me. My family doctor did just order labs and my D and B were on very low end of acceptable, so she wanted me to increase both supplements and see if that helps.

I drink a ton of tea. My daily tea is Newman’s Own Organic black tea, mainly because I can buy it by the case. I am in no way affiliated with this local business, but I love their lavender tea. I didn’t think I would like lavender as I don’t like floral scents or flavors, but I had it at their cafe and was hooked. https://www.lavenderridgefarms.com/collections/culinary-cooking/products/tea-lavender-house-blend-organic My cousin sent me an advent tea assortment from this tea shop several years ago, which was so much fun. I normally don’t care for almond flavoring, but I do remember really liking the one they included in the advent. https://qptea.com

I have mono vision contacts and progressive lenses for glasses. The first day with the mono vision contacts was rough and I was sure I would never get used to them. The second day was like I had always worn them. I also only wear glasses from bathroom to bed at night and to kitchen in morning, then contacts go in once I am awake. I have never had an issue going between the two.

I am in a very conservative area of the south, though personally am very liberal. It would be a total non issue for me. Even though this is a conservative area, I see tons of men with piercings. I also see a lot of tats. I don’t think in this day that it is an issue, except maybe for a corporate lawyer or bank exec.

Best investment ever: buy a Falcon Guide book for the Grand Canyon. They are hiking guides that rate different hikes and include some out of the way ones. We used one for the Grand Canyon and have for other parks. At the Grand Canyon, we did this hike that - honestly - we only saw one other group of hikers. It was so hidden, we never would have found it on our own. The books are an amazing resource.

Oct 15 Thank you.

I am trying to grow as much of my food as possible. I spent from January through spring doing a major garden overhaul. This summer has been awful trying to keep the newly planted trees and shrubs alive. I am looking forward to cooler weather and fall rains so watering won’t be such a chore. I am really looking forward to fall vegetable growing! I am also trying to think through a multipurpose structure to harvest rainwater off of, while also providing an area that is rabbit and dog free. edited to add: How could I forget this?!? I am running a 10k this fall. My first run since I was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s. I am really looking forward to that and all the training leading up to it. Though I am also a bit nervous because I am wobbly.

I am in the “did nothing” camp. I stayed home to keep my garden alive during a record heatwave and drought. DH had a grand adventure, something he had wanted to do for many, many years. I am really happy for him and was so excited to see him complete a dream/bucket list event. It wasn’t something I was able to do with him for many reasons (my health, family of origin issues, etc) and I was fine with that, though it hit me much, much harder emotionally than I anticipated. I am still trying to work through my emotions and this heat isn’t helping any! People keep asking me how my summer has been and if I did anything fun. I have been answering, “I have been watering my garden.” It is sort of like that old doughnut commercial. Time to water the garden. Again. It really feels like that is all I have done this summer!