My husband died after a long struggle with alcoholism and I am making the slow climb back to normality.
11 October 2008
Workout
This morning I have just done a three-hour work-out and am now collapsing in front of the computer to have a bit of a breather. There was much arm-bending, touching the floor, weight-lifting and stretching. I had a quick 10-minute coffee break in the middle and then resumed arm-bending, touching the floor, lifting and stretching. It is good to have the occasional work-out, though I fear now my back is protesting slightly, but the garden looks a lot better for it. The shrubs are now neatly clipped into shape, the beds are looking clean and leaf-free (for the moment until the trees finish shedding their load next month) and the paths clear of debris. My work-out will continue after lunch when I heave heavy bags of garden waste off to the local tip for it to be placed on the giant compost heap. But despite all this I feel great. There's nothing more therapeutic than tidying up the garden for winter in the warm October sunshine which we have enjoyed in London today.
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16 comments:
what a wonderful peacefulpost about gardening in this ''season of mists and mellow fruitfulness'. therapy indeed, and you deserve it brave lady x
My very bad back is the major reason I don't have a big garden.
It's just a little thing with plants that don't need a lot of tending.
Touching the earth is something that grounds so many. I watch my brother molding clay into beautiful pots. He starts out stressed and as the process continues you can see his anxiety melting away and he finishes calm once more.
Whatever therapy works - go for it.
Hi Rosiero,
Hmmm, perhaps doing something physical and active is better for you right now than group work. The wonderful power of being outside in the autumn sunshine and connecting with the earth is hard to beat. Blogging and digging - what a fanstastically healthy way of handling your impossible situation. Keep on keeping on ...
C
x
rosiero, terrific, but the one thing you don't want is a bad back. You expect the stooping to give you back-ache, but it is in lifting heavy bags, or heavy anything, where the real danger lies. Never lose sight of that because once you've slipped a disc you can never be the same again. Please take the greatest care, sweetheart. x
Had to laugh - a coffee break in the middle of a workout!?
Can just imagine how good that felt, Rosiero. It would have been a real tonic for you, but as the others have commented, take care of your back - you don't need any more pains in the neck or backside!
Weather here yesterday was fabulous, probably one of the lovliest days all year.
A x
You should remember how physical excercise helped you next time you are low. Cleaning windows is also good therapy. When my husband was drinking I had the cleanest windows in the street. Better that than get into a shouting match with him.
Thanks for the joke on my site, Rosiero. I fear a lot of gallows humour will emerge...actually I don't fear it I welcome it! (The weather's been better these last weeks than it has been for ages. It is truly good to get out isn't it?)
How lovely! Check out www.findhorn.org you might like it x
That does sound very relaxing. And once it's all done you can sit back and wait for the next season to take hold.
CJ xx
Would you like to come over and do mine? I'll provide the coffee :)
...and once you've done Elaine's perhaps you could pop round to mine. I'm only thinking of your health of course...and nothing to do with the fact that the beautiful hedges that the previous owner spent two decades perfecting turned from lush green to tardy brown about a week after I touched them.
Are window supposed to be cleaned? So that's why the room is so dark!
Sorry I didn't comment on your visit to an Al-Anon group, having urged you to go. It may be that you are not ready for Al-Anon or it may be that the group is straying a bit from the Al-Anon traditions; sometimes a strong group becomes a bit of a "talking shop", comforting for its members with regular get-togethers, but making it difficult for a newcomer to join in and get help. The answer is to try another group. From experience, I know just what enormous support one can get.
Remember, alcoholism is a strange disease and really only people with direct experience of it (i.e. those who have to live with it) know what works and what does not. Well-meaning advice is sometimes not helpful in practice.
I do wish you the very best, Rosiero.
And once you've finished Nota Bene's you're more than welcome here - our chestnut tree is shedding street loads of leaves! Lovely post. Blogthatmamax
Haah! That sounds like my kind of workout - fresh air, warm autumn sunlight and colours to die for. Hope you gain peace and strength from the beauty of this glorious autumn. Thank you for sharing your story.
Thank you all - had another workout on Sunday too and the garden looks nice and tidy!
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