I think I'd have fits about anyone who climbed up 25' into a tree with a chainsaw who didn't also have a safety harness and a rope with a snap-on for the chainsaw. You could have wrecked the tree if you'd fallen!

You probably have already tried glucosamine for your gnarly joints. It's not a miracle pill by any stretch (and, if you're allergic to shellfish, it may be a non-starter) yet I know someone who has a very steep section and damaged knees from years of contracting work who has found it of great benefit.

Our climate can also be somewhat damp (gross understatement). Rather than simply crawl away and hide for the winter I have a sun porch, access to a tunnel house, and my potting bench is under cover. The tunnel house is great. I love listening to the rain outside while I fossick away and learn the craft of gardening with low light/low temperatures.

You're not too old at all. My mum is 89 and she does those things, too (except climb trees;-)) ) Just - don't be too proud to call for the extra pair of hands. It can be good to be working with a like-minded person that you get along with. And, if you shop together, or visit each other's garden - you can share or exchange plants and make stocking your garden quite a bit cheaper.

Keep going. You're good for at least another twenty years!

"I think I'd have fits about anyone who climbed up 25' into a tree with a chainsaw who didn't also have a safety harness and a rope with a snap-on for the chainsaw."

I thought the same thing. Your awfully brave to go up a tree let alone with a chain saw. Gives me the vapors just thinking about it!

My DH has a history of back injuries so we bought an inversion table. We are going to get a hot tub to work out the other knots.

You might consider eating more foods that reduce inflammation for your arthritis.

Best of health (and luck!) to you and your DH for at least another 20 yrs!

A link that might be useful:

bodyecology.com/articles/top_ten_foods_that_prevent_inflammation.php#.UHthHhysFZc

Also need to know that.

You are my kind of hero! Keep fighting, that's the spirit!

Of course real ladies climb trees, pah, what a silly question.

Granted, I'm still in high school.

But I climb to where I'm about to break branches in my apple tree with a book on a daily basis.

I can only hope that I am still scaling up the trees when I'm your age.

Remembers me a quote:

Don't watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going.
-Sam Levenson

;-)

Since jen has gone grave digging (no pun ),I may as well join. IMO,the movie Secound Hand Lions pretty much put things in prespective. I will choose dieing at 80 while barn storming over at 85 while not living the way I love. I have another question. Why do you think so few young people pardener up with older individuals with similar interests? Why wouldn't a younger gardener aspiring to pick up violin where they left off 30 years earlier seek out a 75 yo pal? They have so much to offer one another. In my case an unemployed youngster desiring a career in mechanical trades could recieve one on one training while assisting me with investment properties. They earn minium wage while going to trade school free. I am able to eliminate some contractor expenses and recieve satisfaction of knowing my skills continue serving both of us. He could help spade up my soil and I could help him with finer points in his garden. Mel Tillis once said "I got the hoss,,,you got the saddle".
vetivert wherever you are. Thank you for the laugh." You could have wrecked that tree if you'd fallen! "

:) lol... I'm 50 and hope to be like you when I grow up also.

I totally agree with the diet thing, I stopped asthma, arthritis, and terrible stomach problems with diet.

Doctors weren't much help at all but it's not their fault preventative medicine and subtle food allergies are not in their training. Medications are a nightmare too - so many side effects ...death being just one.

i've just given up the nightshade family and feel better than ever but I really struggled with that idea plus I adored green peppers and tomatoes, potatoes was less of a struggle since I ached the next day, but I do love French fries ...sigh.

The weather has a lot to do with it too...as i'm sure you know... cold and damp just makes me ache non stop. I adore Vancouver but I couldn't live there not even in the summer and i'm sure Seattle is the same.

I really agree if you can pay/befriend a younger gardener - a teenager maybe - who needs a friend would be really great ... but I also know that sometimes I wouldn't want anyone else working with me ... interferes with my thinking.

On the other hand I'd be really, really careful about not hurting myself because recovery would be so frustrating.

My friend who is 85 finds it hard to let go of what he used to do too.... 2 years ago he was walking on the roof of his 2 story house, clearing snow with a broom. I nearly passed out.

All the best to you ... :) .... silvana.

Romanticdreamer, I've been in the medical field most of my life. Working in your garden is one of the best things you're doing for your health -- keep it up! You might want to look for some tools that make garden tasks more efficient with arthritis. And diet, for example, eliminating refined and processed foods, vinegar, and oils while adding fresh seeds, beans, lentils can make a big difference. Fresh pineapple is even said to reduce pain.

An over-the-counter salve that comes recommended by some orthopedic surgeons is Dr Christopher's Healing Bone, Flesh, and Cartilage Salve which can be purchased online -- it's herbal and is used by some of the doctors I know. Or a home made poultice can be made from activated charcoal, comfrey, and psillium.

My hat's off to you for the tree climbing, and I'd love to meet you in a tree some day. I do think it's crucial tho, to avoid injuries when you're into the osteoporosis years. Healing doesn't go quickly, and I've seen people who were active go into a rapid decline, never to recover after a fracture. I think it's key, after you're older, to stay active, but to avoid injuries.

We post a lot of helpful tips on our Humpty Dumpty House facebook page, so I hope you'll join us there.
. . . . .

Visits to Humpty Dumpty House on facebook are much appreciated during
this difficult time. If you like what we do, please give us a page
"like". This simple act can help us get the gardens and our work back up
and running during my absence due to an injury. ~Thank you!

https://www.facebook.com/HumptyDumptyHouse

Facebook for Humpty Dumpty House

Of course ladies climb trees!

but please get somebody to be present when you climb a tree, to call the paramedics if you fall out.

You are such an inspiration. May God bless you and your husband.