OH NO! Dear Joan! I am so relieved to know you are okay and didn't break anything! All that exercise pays off making us less stiff. You poor thing and the wine!!! I can hear myself saying this too! lol. Then it was your big birthday! and what to do? Oh my your kids must have been so worried. That watch sounds like a great idea! So glad it worked! I can say these things happen to us all ages. Of course it's more a worry as we age. My mom had a bad fall last December, when my brother was gone (he's rarely gone for a day) and he left instructions for her "not" to help the neighbor kids feed the other neighbor's cats (large print for her eyes on a big board). So, of course she did. At 87, going blind, she missed a step down into the neighbor's garage (where the food was) and took a really hard fall. It was actually my birthday and the neighbor (thankfully a nurse!) called me against my mom's wishes! No broken bones, bad bruising, used her "good arm" to brace (the other shoulder has a torn rotator - ugh). So that arm is still very sore in the other shoulder :( At near 88 she has learned her tenacity with her poor eyes needs some tweaking and no one wants to stop her from living, but listening a bit better to the reality of over-using her bad eyes, the sudden dizziness as a result, and the potential to fall if she doesn't use her cane (which she now does, after much refusal!!) is important! We have this talk every evening as she expresses she's dizzy. I feel so helpless as mom was a writer, gardener, knitter and is trying to make her eyes work, but it is causing her to feel heady. She has embraced audio books, but life going blind is no fun. I know you had a blind lady in one of your exercise classes and I consider that so brave and important. Mom walks with my brother, but she's nervous now. God Bless and take good care! Hope you're healing up and having a nice glass of wine! oxoxox
Wow! I can see where you get your tenacity and determination Missy! 😄 I totally get how your mum feels…our independence matters so much! I’m glad she’s minding herself better now.. let it come from her…not being told! The kids had a laugh…I told it funny so they wouldn’t get worried. And I told the doctor… he said no worries about going in my record. We get one free one! 😂 The wine was for the BD party…I gad a gin & tonic while holding the cold on my knee! Thanks for ‘getting me’ dear friend! 😘🩷
My parents definitely set a bar! ha ha! You are a blessing and I can just hear you joking about it! My mom has described her "ungainly fall from grace!" too! 😅 Glad you celebrated well on your birthday, despite 🤦♀️😩🍹 Sending you much love! I get it! ox
Joan, I’m glad you didn’t break bones or hit your head. As I read your story, I relived my fall a couple of weeks ago in the patio. You do a great job allowing us to feel how you felt after the fall. Good advice too💖
Thanks, Diane…it has def got my attention that no matter how cocky or teachy I am, I can fall! 😅Being careful and holding on to things is wise, not old! LOL Thanks for your kind words… you know how it feels too!
Thanks, Tracy! I’m scanning and being careful now; and you’re right…it can happen anywhere with nothing in the way! So besides fear of falls, avoiding falls… we have to know how to fall! 🤦🏻♀️Take care, sweet friend! 😊
Walking the dog on the edge of a minor construction site in a park. Tripped on a piece of gravel. Workers came over and I quickly got up. Scraped my hand and landed on hip. Yeah, yeah, I'm ok. I continued walk through the park.
250m later, I felt dizzy and the lights were turning out. Quickly found a bench to sit. Had to sit for 20 mins before, I could walk without the wobble.
Oh how scary, you could have fainted. Thank goodness you didn’t break your hip. The stiffness and soreness kept me out of classes a week, but all better now! Thanks for reading, for caring. Take care on your walks. 😊🩷
JOAN! I’m so, so, glad you’re okay. My husband gave me an Apple watch and it’s God’s gift. It truly is. But it only does so much. And: you have to wear it.
I understand the “I’m okay” response. You don’t want to admit vulnerability. I’m glad you teach the classes. I would definitely take one from you. But there’s the curb, the patch of ice, anything unexpected. You can’t predict it, just as you can’t predict the truck speeding towards you at 90 miles an hour on a city street. Hugs, love, and relief that you’re okay, and brave enough to tell your story.😽❤️💕🙏
Thank you sweet Mary! Yes…I had to keep it charged on Kitchen counter so I’d see and put it on! Now it’s my security blanket, just being around the house. So very unexpected, unpredictable…we can be aware and still stumble and fall. I wanted to use more humor in my writing, remember…this played out with an audience; got laughs! 😂 Thank you for caring, for knowing it’s not just being older …falls happen to all ages. Appreciate your kind words about my class. I will def share this and add shopping carts to potential causes! 😄
SOOOOO glad you are OK! Rich took a fall a few weeks ago while we were out on our morning walk. He stepped off the sidewalk to get out of someone's way and slipped in the mud! He landed on his shoulder. He wasn't hurt bad but he was sore for weeks. You be careful!
Oh my goodness…all the walking you guys do! And to think mud is a rarity innSoCal! 😅It shakes us up inside abit too…more aware and careful! Thanks for caring, my friend! I’m working in the yard today…alk good! Hugs! 🤗🤗
So glad you're okay. My first shining moment was in front of Target in Pace, Florida, where the store manager was much more concerned about a lawsuit than my body or my dignity. No idea why--it was my own fault I wasn't looking where I was going. My sister-in-law still can't go into Target without bursting into laughter. (I call her names when she tells me that, which just eggs her on.) I was okay, too, as well as embarrassed. I've had a few since then, and frankly, falling is my biggest being-old fear.
Ikr? It’s the not knowing why that’s hard. We can slip on ice, trip on a rug…but sometimes there’s nothing to blame! 😅 Love you call it a shining moment! 😄Thank you for reading, taking time to comment!
Oh… everyone laughed! I was at checkout/entrance area so lots of spectators. As someone commented; Taylor makes any situation fun! Thanks for commenting …is it Mr. Scholar?” Appreciate you reading! 😊
YES! Preach it, Joan! It is absolutely vital to our physical and mental health that we exercise and keep moving. Of course that's what helped you here. I have always been so uncoordinated...but I've also been a gym rat all my life and I'm convinced that's what has helped me through my recent knee issue. I just CAME from the gym, in fact! Stuff is going to happen and if you're fit, you can survive it so much easier. I'm sorry it happened to you...but I'm really sorry about the wine. 😂😂 Glad this story had a happy ending! And glad I found your column, too!
Thanks, Susan…made me laugh out loud! 😅 yes, I’ve had a lot of fitness and training… but I think I got a bit cocky becoming eighty and in good shape! A wake up call to be better aware I’ve now learned! 😏 Thanks for reading, for understanding…and subscribing! I’m glad we’re connected now… appreciate you! 😊🩷
May I also say.... you in no way LOOK 80....whatever thats supposed to look like, I guess. I think of my aunt who never moves and wonders why she feels so awful. 🙄 Your fitness adds years to your heart and soul. HURRAY for you!!
Sounds like you handled the situation beautifully and the fact that you weren’t seriously hurt means you are taking great care of yourself. I had a scary fall last October doing The Narrows hike in Zion NP. I was with my husband and son and at first wasn’t interested in taking the risks involved in this hike through a rocky river gorge. But my son convinced me. I slipped on a wet rock and went down hard on my back. It felt like that rock went right through my body! I was in a lot of pain and had to somehow hike the 1-2 miles back out! A passerby gave me Advil and slowly I made my way. But looking back I have zero regrets. Even the bad stuff sometimes makes good memories.
.. Many ‘falls in my backstory Joan.. & sometimes things fell upon me.. or wrapped me up, caught me tanglefooted .. have been ‘throwed or bucked’ - run over or into - various & sundry such stuff.. hard landings & softer landings.. damn but I has a hard head & seemingly the very opposite of a ‘glass jaw’ - yet have lost count of ‘deviated septum’ - broken nose.. even ‘green stick spinal & cervical fractures’..
Have taught SnowBoarding & RollerBlading to All Ages - Beginner to Advanced.. & trust me on saying Every Lesson Commences - prone on Snow Ice Pavement & ‘falling’ is a Key Aspect of every ‘one on one lesson’ - ‘Getting back on the Horse’ is ‘somewhat more complex’ as the horse has a major ‘say’.. whereas the shopping cart, roller blades, snowboard or hay wagon do not ‘talk back’ or resist ! 🦎🏴☠️
Love “tangle footed” …fun word! I did all the things, only fell off the paddleboard a few times. Thanks for sharing this.. what a wonderful insrtructor you must be! Ice is scary as we grow along…confidence and balance does not keep up! 😅Appreciate you reading and always love your thoughts and feedback! Thanks Thomas! 🥰
Growing older is so humbling. The best laid plans means nothing when our body betrays us. I think the big lesson is that we don't own our bodies, and that we are subject to breakdown and cross-firings in the brain and there's little we can do about it. There's no such thing as aging gracefully!
Agree…we age gratefully; each day I say I get to have another day, another lunch with friends, get to rather than have to helps me stay positive. Thank you for your thoughts and how our bodies work/let us down! 🤨🙄😄
I am so glad you are relatively unscathed, my friend! Being consciously aware of our safety goes along way. It’s those darn small quick movements that seem to betray us! How’s the knee?
It’s fine…I can get on my knees again now… it was too sore for yoga poses. Just a bit purple left from bruise. Agree, agility class guy talked about pivoting, quick turns in PB, using ‘react steps’ … foot forward, side of back to regain balance Thanks for reading, caring! Love you! 😊🩷
Oh goodness, Joan! How's the swelling knee? I love that you are laughing at yourself while trying to write it down. But what else can we do but laugh? And be extra careful!
Absolutely, laughing helps! It’s all better, just the shades of purple all down my leg…gravity pulls it down Dr said! Another way to say it’s part of aging!😅
A silver lining is that there were others around. So glad you are on the mend even though you may have a bruised ego.
I suffered an eye stroke (BRVO) a couple of years ago. The lasting effects have been poorer depth perception and peripheral vision. Curbs are not my friend. Many missteps but no face plants.
Oh wow…never heard of that. Bless your heart…must have been a scary time for you. I’m going to have another field vision test next month as I failed first one. Peripheral vision loss can creep up over time. Thanks for letting me know, for commenting. Take care, sweet friend! 😊
OH NO! Dear Joan! I am so relieved to know you are okay and didn't break anything! All that exercise pays off making us less stiff. You poor thing and the wine!!! I can hear myself saying this too! lol. Then it was your big birthday! and what to do? Oh my your kids must have been so worried. That watch sounds like a great idea! So glad it worked! I can say these things happen to us all ages. Of course it's more a worry as we age. My mom had a bad fall last December, when my brother was gone (he's rarely gone for a day) and he left instructions for her "not" to help the neighbor kids feed the other neighbor's cats (large print for her eyes on a big board). So, of course she did. At 87, going blind, she missed a step down into the neighbor's garage (where the food was) and took a really hard fall. It was actually my birthday and the neighbor (thankfully a nurse!) called me against my mom's wishes! No broken bones, bad bruising, used her "good arm" to brace (the other shoulder has a torn rotator - ugh). So that arm is still very sore in the other shoulder :( At near 88 she has learned her tenacity with her poor eyes needs some tweaking and no one wants to stop her from living, but listening a bit better to the reality of over-using her bad eyes, the sudden dizziness as a result, and the potential to fall if she doesn't use her cane (which she now does, after much refusal!!) is important! We have this talk every evening as she expresses she's dizzy. I feel so helpless as mom was a writer, gardener, knitter and is trying to make her eyes work, but it is causing her to feel heady. She has embraced audio books, but life going blind is no fun. I know you had a blind lady in one of your exercise classes and I consider that so brave and important. Mom walks with my brother, but she's nervous now. God Bless and take good care! Hope you're healing up and having a nice glass of wine! oxoxox
Wow! I can see where you get your tenacity and determination Missy! 😄 I totally get how your mum feels…our independence matters so much! I’m glad she’s minding herself better now.. let it come from her…not being told! The kids had a laugh…I told it funny so they wouldn’t get worried. And I told the doctor… he said no worries about going in my record. We get one free one! 😂 The wine was for the BD party…I gad a gin & tonic while holding the cold on my knee! Thanks for ‘getting me’ dear friend! 😘🩷
My parents definitely set a bar! ha ha! You are a blessing and I can just hear you joking about it! My mom has described her "ungainly fall from grace!" too! 😅 Glad you celebrated well on your birthday, despite 🤦♀️😩🍹 Sending you much love! I get it! ox
Joan, I’m glad you didn’t break bones or hit your head. As I read your story, I relived my fall a couple of weeks ago in the patio. You do a great job allowing us to feel how you felt after the fall. Good advice too💖
Thanks, Diane…it has def got my attention that no matter how cocky or teachy I am, I can fall! 😅Being careful and holding on to things is wise, not old! LOL Thanks for your kind words… you know how it feels too!
So glad you are ok. Great reminder for me since I'm a clutz walking on flat ground.
Thanks, Tracy! I’m scanning and being careful now; and you’re right…it can happen anywhere with nothing in the way! So besides fear of falls, avoiding falls… we have to know how to fall! 🤦🏻♀️Take care, sweet friend! 😊
Glad you are OK.
I also had a similar fall.
Walking the dog on the edge of a minor construction site in a park. Tripped on a piece of gravel. Workers came over and I quickly got up. Scraped my hand and landed on hip. Yeah, yeah, I'm ok. I continued walk through the park.
250m later, I felt dizzy and the lights were turning out. Quickly found a bench to sit. Had to sit for 20 mins before, I could walk without the wobble.
Next day, major bruise on hip and back was stiff.
Felt like I got hit by a car.
Oh how scary, you could have fainted. Thank goodness you didn’t break your hip. The stiffness and soreness kept me out of classes a week, but all better now! Thanks for reading, for caring. Take care on your walks. 😊🩷
Thanks.
JOAN! I’m so, so, glad you’re okay. My husband gave me an Apple watch and it’s God’s gift. It truly is. But it only does so much. And: you have to wear it.
I understand the “I’m okay” response. You don’t want to admit vulnerability. I’m glad you teach the classes. I would definitely take one from you. But there’s the curb, the patch of ice, anything unexpected. You can’t predict it, just as you can’t predict the truck speeding towards you at 90 miles an hour on a city street. Hugs, love, and relief that you’re okay, and brave enough to tell your story.😽❤️💕🙏
Thank
Thank you sweet Mary! Yes…I had to keep it charged on Kitchen counter so I’d see and put it on! Now it’s my security blanket, just being around the house. So very unexpected, unpredictable…we can be aware and still stumble and fall. I wanted to use more humor in my writing, remember…this played out with an audience; got laughs! 😂 Thank you for caring, for knowing it’s not just being older …falls happen to all ages. Appreciate your kind words about my class. I will def share this and add shopping carts to potential causes! 😄
SOOOOO glad you are OK! Rich took a fall a few weeks ago while we were out on our morning walk. He stepped off the sidewalk to get out of someone's way and slipped in the mud! He landed on his shoulder. He wasn't hurt bad but he was sore for weeks. You be careful!
Oh my goodness…all the walking you guys do! And to think mud is a rarity innSoCal! 😅It shakes us up inside abit too…more aware and careful! Thanks for caring, my friend! I’m working in the yard today…alk good! Hugs! 🤗🤗
Look after yourself, we can fall at any age 😉😘😘
Thanks, Jo…I’m much more aware nowadays!
So glad you're okay. My first shining moment was in front of Target in Pace, Florida, where the store manager was much more concerned about a lawsuit than my body or my dignity. No idea why--it was my own fault I wasn't looking where I was going. My sister-in-law still can't go into Target without bursting into laughter. (I call her names when she tells me that, which just eggs her on.) I was okay, too, as well as embarrassed. I've had a few since then, and frankly, falling is my biggest being-old fear.
Ikr? It’s the not knowing why that’s hard. We can slip on ice, trip on a rug…but sometimes there’s nothing to blame! 😅 Love you call it a shining moment! 😄Thank you for reading, taking time to comment!
“It’s me, I’m the problem it’s me”… I would have burst out if I were the spectator. I actually burst out laughing now. Love the humour LOL.
Oh… everyone laughed! I was at checkout/entrance area so lots of spectators. As someone commented; Taylor makes any situation fun! Thanks for commenting …is it Mr. Scholar?” Appreciate you reading! 😊
YES! Preach it, Joan! It is absolutely vital to our physical and mental health that we exercise and keep moving. Of course that's what helped you here. I have always been so uncoordinated...but I've also been a gym rat all my life and I'm convinced that's what has helped me through my recent knee issue. I just CAME from the gym, in fact! Stuff is going to happen and if you're fit, you can survive it so much easier. I'm sorry it happened to you...but I'm really sorry about the wine. 😂😂 Glad this story had a happy ending! And glad I found your column, too!
Thanks, Susan…made me laugh out loud! 😅 yes, I’ve had a lot of fitness and training… but I think I got a bit cocky becoming eighty and in good shape! A wake up call to be better aware I’ve now learned! 😏 Thanks for reading, for understanding…and subscribing! I’m glad we’re connected now… appreciate you! 😊🩷
May I also say.... you in no way LOOK 80....whatever thats supposed to look like, I guess. I think of my aunt who never moves and wonders why she feels so awful. 🙄 Your fitness adds years to your heart and soul. HURRAY for you!!
Awww… so sweet of you! What a nice thing to say. And the coffee ..wow! You are too kind, dear friend! Thank you so very much! 🥰😘
Sounds like you handled the situation beautifully and the fact that you weren’t seriously hurt means you are taking great care of yourself. I had a scary fall last October doing The Narrows hike in Zion NP. I was with my husband and son and at first wasn’t interested in taking the risks involved in this hike through a rocky river gorge. But my son convinced me. I slipped on a wet rock and went down hard on my back. It felt like that rock went right through my body! I was in a lot of pain and had to somehow hike the 1-2 miles back out! A passerby gave me Advil and slowly I made my way. But looking back I have zero regrets. Even the bad stuff sometimes makes good memories.
.. Many ‘falls in my backstory Joan.. & sometimes things fell upon me.. or wrapped me up, caught me tanglefooted .. have been ‘throwed or bucked’ - run over or into - various & sundry such stuff.. hard landings & softer landings.. damn but I has a hard head & seemingly the very opposite of a ‘glass jaw’ - yet have lost count of ‘deviated septum’ - broken nose.. even ‘green stick spinal & cervical fractures’..
Have taught SnowBoarding & RollerBlading to All Ages - Beginner to Advanced.. & trust me on saying Every Lesson Commences - prone on Snow Ice Pavement & ‘falling’ is a Key Aspect of every ‘one on one lesson’ - ‘Getting back on the Horse’ is ‘somewhat more complex’ as the horse has a major ‘say’.. whereas the shopping cart, roller blades, snowboard or hay wagon do not ‘talk back’ or resist ! 🦎🏴☠️
Love “tangle footed” …fun word! I did all the things, only fell off the paddleboard a few times. Thanks for sharing this.. what a wonderful insrtructor you must be! Ice is scary as we grow along…confidence and balance does not keep up! 😅Appreciate you reading and always love your thoughts and feedback! Thanks Thomas! 🥰
.. ages old riding horse slang.. different than fiddle footed of course .. 🦎🏴☠️
Growing older is so humbling. The best laid plans means nothing when our body betrays us. I think the big lesson is that we don't own our bodies, and that we are subject to breakdown and cross-firings in the brain and there's little we can do about it. There's no such thing as aging gracefully!
Agree…we age gratefully; each day I say I get to have another day, another lunch with friends, get to rather than have to helps me stay positive. Thank you for your thoughts and how our bodies work/let us down! 🤨🙄😄
I am so glad you are relatively unscathed, my friend! Being consciously aware of our safety goes along way. It’s those darn small quick movements that seem to betray us! How’s the knee?
It’s fine…I can get on my knees again now… it was too sore for yoga poses. Just a bit purple left from bruise. Agree, agility class guy talked about pivoting, quick turns in PB, using ‘react steps’ … foot forward, side of back to regain balance Thanks for reading, caring! Love you! 😊🩷
Oh goodness, Joan! How's the swelling knee? I love that you are laughing at yourself while trying to write it down. But what else can we do but laugh? And be extra careful!
Absolutely, laughing helps! It’s all better, just the shades of purple all down my leg…gravity pulls it down Dr said! Another way to say it’s part of aging!😅
A silver lining is that there were others around. So glad you are on the mend even though you may have a bruised ego.
I suffered an eye stroke (BRVO) a couple of years ago. The lasting effects have been poorer depth perception and peripheral vision. Curbs are not my friend. Many missteps but no face plants.
Oh wow…never heard of that. Bless your heart…must have been a scary time for you. I’m going to have another field vision test next month as I failed first one. Peripheral vision loss can creep up over time. Thanks for letting me know, for commenting. Take care, sweet friend! 😊