Monday, May 2, 2016

A new plant for me

 

Plantar fasciitis ~ I just found out yesterday that this is the cause of the pain in my heels. Oh dear! Not the kind of ‘plant’ I want, but I need to take care of this one in order to be able to take care of my garden plants.

Plantar fasciitis happens more to women my age, with weight gain, going barefoot, poor support in shoes.

I did some online research, found exercises, shoe inserts and shoes. I’ve already started doing some of the exercises and will continue to do them and will learn new ones too. I used an Arnica gel for pain and will continue to do so as needed.

This is a real bummer, as I ‘love’ to go barefoot in the house. (Being part native American might have something to do with that.) I hate wearing shoes, just like I hate wearing a bra. So constricting and confining. Both are necessary when out in public though.

I googled shoes and found Vionics with GREAT reviews. I texted my sis-in-law and she wrote back all excited, as these shoes she’s been wearing for several years now and they have really helped her. Her daughter wears them now too and both love them. SIL told me about a flea market near her that has a Vionic booth that sells overstock from online stores, for about 1/2 off the price. She’s going to take me there in the next week or so. I found three pair online that I like, one dressy, one flip flop type for around the house, and one to wear walking and gardening.

Now, for some pics of one of my newest plants with one of the many visitors it has been having.

Buddlia and a Ruddy Daggerwing.

05-01-ruddy-daggerwing

05-01-ruddy-daggerwing2

05-01-ruddy-daggerwing3

I was outside handwatering when I spied this guy. Ran in for the camera and he was still enjoying the nectar of these blooms.

Saturday I bought some potting soil and three more plants at a great deal.

One gardenia with at least 9 buds and two spicy jatropha which is a great butterfly attractor.

I worked outside morning and afternoon, wore myself out. I’m trying to get plants grouped into a few main areas for ease on the gardener and for ease of watering. Summer is almost here and it will be hot and humid before we know it.

More pics taken this morning.

05-02-dougs

05-02-sunflower-orchid

05-02-unkn

05-02-unkns

05-02-crepuscule

05-02-crespuscule2

05-02-granada

05-02-pink-drift

05-02-lantana

05-02-white-plumbago

05-02-periwinkle

That’s it from Plum Cottage. We may get some much needed rain today.

Count your blessings,

FlowerLady

***

"Where flowers bloom so does hope."

Lady Bird Johnson

50 comments:

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi There, I always love to see what is blooming in your yard/gardens. GORGEOUS....I posted some of our March blooms --and have some rose blooms on my 2 blogs today. Spring is just marvelous here in TN now.

So sorry about your Plantar Fasciitis. Hope you can get those shoes and find some relief soon.

Hugs,
Betsy

Nancy J said...

Beautiful blooms, as always. Your shoes, down here I have tried the Propet brand, but as I needed a half size, none fitted. This might be the answer, getting them half price, and solving the pain. One for inside, one for outside, and one for when going further from home. And like Goldilocks, they will be "Just Right".

Deb J. in Utah said...

Always such lovely flowers! Thanks for the tip on shoes - I am going to google those and see if they have them around here for a decent price. I had plantar fasciatis some years back and had to have a cortisone shot in my my foot to alleviate it. Hope all is going well. Thank you for your prayers for my grandson. Have a good week.

gld said...

Beautiful blooms! Hope you get the rain.

I am so sorry about the foot issue and hope the new shoes will be a great help. I would need a whole body suit to help me! I am trying to deal with fibromyalgia since there is nothing I can do about it, but it is very frustrating. I do sympathize with you.

Love, from the Ozarks.

Janice said...


What beautiful markings on that Ruddy Daggerwing, I've never seen one in my garden. So many beautiful blooms too!
Hope all goes well with your search for proper footwear, and that it helps your pain.
I think spring is over in Florida, and summer has begun. Take care. _Janice

Ruth Hiebert said...

I do hope you find relief for that new and unwanted 'plant' of yours. The garden variety are much more beautiful and a joy to look at.

Recycled Cottage & Garden said...

I had plantar fascitis about 16 years ago from always being on my feet at work even though I wore good shoes. The foot dr took a cast and had inserts made for me. They worked! Probably everyone is different but I do know that putting your foot on ice in a ziploc bag will help with the pain from the inflammation and those exercises do well also. I hope it works as well as mine and goes away eventually. And I have always gone barefoot as often as possible too!

susie @ persimmon moon cottage said...

Your flowers are beautiful! This time of year is my favorite time to be in the garden.

I hope your foot pain will go away soon.

I had plantar fasciatis in one foot years ago. Very painful. Was given cortisone shot for it and that made it go away. Every once in a while when I feel any little twinge of tightness or pain in that area, I start doing the stretching exercises that the doctor explained to me and I have been successful at keeping it from happening again. Knock on wood.

Take care.

Cheryl said...

Eek! That is not the kind of plant you want, Lorraine!! I hope your exercises and shoes are able to correct the problem quickly! You must be able to get around your gardens!

Janneke said...

I'm so sorry about your aching feet, hope the proper shoes will help you. I'm amazed about your 'garden flowers'. I can imagine the overwhelming fragrance of the Gardenias when the buds come out. I have a very small Gardenia in my greenhouse, it is always tricky to overwinter but it does. Only one flower gives already such a lovely smell.
Regards from Holland, Janneke

Jessica Jarrell said...

I'm sorry to hear about your feet FlowerLady, that does not sound like fun. Hopefully the new shoes work like a charm! What a gorgeous butterfly! I've added more flowers to the yard than I've ever had, and they are attracting lots of butterflies. Much to my delight, of course! I love your variety of flowers, something I aspire to someday :-)

Have a great day FlowerLady!

M.K. said...

Thanks for the tip about the shoes. I have to be so careful with my feet and get good shoes with really good, soft but firm, footbeds and good support. Will look into these. I wonder if I can buy them in a store. I don't like buying things online b/c I really want to FEEL them on my feet first. Glad you are taking care of your feet -- that condition is so painful! Enjoy your beautiful blooms. You are inspiring me to go to the nursery and look at a few more :)

Jean Tuthill said...

I hope you get some relief from your pain. It sounds like you are on the right track! Your flowers are so beautiful. I am a gardener, too. The weather is not cooperating this year...still very cold and dreary. It'll come eventually, I suppose. So, I am gardening indoors for now.

Debbie - Mountain Mama said...

Oh boy, that's not fun - I had plantars fasciitis for years and the pain was awful!! It took so long to heal. I'm still very careful about what kind of shoes I buy - I don't want to go through that again!! New Balance sneakers were great for when I was around the house - I think the higher the model number the more they help. Also, Cole Haan shoes with the Nike Air inserts for work - they saved my poor tootsies!! Good luck - invest in a good pair of shoes and your sore feet will thank you for it!

Art and Sand said...

Gorgeous gorgeous photos!!!

When I read plantars fasciitis, I thought to myself, "is it a flower too?".

I had PF twice and it took forever to work through. Good luck!

Valerie Cottage Making Mommy said...

I too have Plantar Fascitis. I find when I do a cleanse it really helps. I love the flowers.

Betty said...

I am so sorry to hear about your heal. I use to love going barefoot and than had problems with my arch and now I have to wear shoes all the time. Love your flowers, especially the rose.

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

I had that in a foot a few years back....I never went to a doctor about it but bought shoe inserts. I know how painful it can be ! Lovely blooms here to help you forget for a bit :)

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

Your flowers are beautiful. As for your feet, you can totally manage that. Just got to pay attention and try different things. Sounds like you are. Seems to be a common issue for runners and I know several who have gotten it under control. Enjoy your week!

Morning's Minion said...

What an interesting butterfly! You have managed to care for so many beautiful flowers in a small space.
I hope the shoes help--my daughter is looking for 'sensible shoes' for a new work situation. I will mention that brand to her.

BeachGypsy said...

oh my! so sorry about the heel pain! I know its bad because I have suffered with it for about ten years now. I had the shots and I can't go barefoot or ever ever ever wear flip-flops anymore. Also taking a frozen bag of peas out of the freezer and rubbing my heels on it helped alot and felt great on hot days! Also I do the stretching exercises every morning before getting out of bed. I used Arnica gel as well. As well as alot of other creams and lotions/potions that didn't help at all.
Love the pictures today..such beautiful blooms you have!

tina said...

I hope your new 'plant' goes away soon and the shoes help. That ruddy daggerwing is very cool!

Rebecca said...

I have just passed through my first experience with the P.T. In the end, I believe the exercises and time were the primary factors in my healing. I think I got it in the first place because I was limping due to my hip & then knee replacement. So, whenever (because of pain or tiredness) I start to limp, I pull out the walking cane to help me walk. Shoes may help, but I didn't invest in anything special. Just flats. And I do continue to go barefoot.

Thistle Cove Farm said...

those shoes look fabulous! I had a spell with same 'plant' and didn't much like it; finally, it all went away. thank God. my work books are sturdy and they help.
great photos, Rainey, gardening is such consolation.

Melanie said...

I'm familiar with plantar fasciitis...I get it in my left heel off and on. I just had a flare-up last month and now it's gone again. Like you, I go barefoot a lot of the time, so maybe that has something to do with it. I can't stand wearing shoes, especially in the house! I did do the exercises though, so maybe that helped.
Love the butterfly bush and the Daggerwing that came to visit. I don't think I've ever seen one of those.

Deborah Montgomery said...

Sorry about that new "plant" in your life. Sounds like you are working out a plan to take care of it; hope that works for you. I love to go barefoot, or in socks, too.
Your flowers are lovely; such a delightful reward for all the loving work you put into your garden. A beautiful butterfly!
xo Deborah

My Journey To Mindfulness said...

I relate so well to your foot pain
Always one to go barefoot
and now cannot do often.
Love Arnica Jell
for pain.
Take care
and thank you always for
encouraging words
you send me :)
Up and checked emais
my son
just arrived
back in Thailand..

Roosterhead Designs said...

Hello friend~ I am so sorry to hear of you foot problems : ( and hoping it improves immensely!
As for your garden (and friends:) It is absolutely beautiful! What a blessing. So much gorgeous color and style~ Enjoy, Karen O

Homemaker's Heart said...

Hi! You made me laugh out loud...twice! A new plant. You are so cute. I've been thinking a lot of you lately, glad I popped over. I used to have this...from wearing worn out shoes while walking. Tried to make the shoes last too long. Anyways, this fellow I met cured his and shared with me. I did it and it has helped mine too. I still wear some sort of slipper inside, but when I go barefoot it's not painful...unless I go barefoot for days.

So here's the trick, try it and see: First thing in the morning, before you get out of bed...yes before you go to the little girls room, reach over and grab a strap or long belt. Put it around the ball of your foot, while laying or sitting, and GENTLY stretch. Hold it for a bit, I think I did about 20-30 seconds to 1 minute. Gently! You should feel the pull but not hurt. Then let go and do the other foot. THEN you can get up and go to the powder room or what ever. The key is to not step on it at all until after the stretches. I have seen this work for family too, just be diligent and do it for several weeks. It's cheap, its easy and it works.

For a time I also sipped right into a pair of supported shoes (yep- in my jamies! Looks cute!) Then as my foot was healing I just did the stretches and wore slippers.

I tried those dumb boots you sleep with and all sorts of therapy. Oh, inserts too. The only thing that made a difference was doing this first thing in the morning. And wearing a shoe first thing until the stretches helped.

Hugs to you and wishing you God's peace,
Dee

PS Thank you for the beautiful flower pictures. We just got our first flowers planted, Peonies. A neighbor was giving them away. yeah!

Tante Mali said...

Hi my friend,
your garden is much further then mine. Beautiful! Love to see all these.
Hope you'll feel better soon
All my best
Elisabeth

Cathy @ My 1929 Charmer said...

Oh my I've had that and it is quite painful...took awhile to get rid of it. I also love going barefoot whenever I can. I got mine from playing tennis. Your garden is filling in and looking so pretty!

Celestina Marie said...

Your flowers are lovely Lorraine. Saying a prayer for your heel pain. My hubby was diagnosed with this too. The exercises do really help. I swear by Arnica gel. We use it here for soreness, bruises and it also comes in a cream form and a tablet you let melt under the tongue for pain and headaches.
Hope you feel better soon.
Blessings. xo

Joy Junktion said...

Sorry about the feet issues, Rainey! That is so painful! I, too, love to be barefoot whenever possible and have paid the price! Your flowers are as beautiful as ever!! May you have a blessed Mother's Day weekend! Blessings, Cindy xo

Unknown said...

Hi Lorraine! I'm sorry to hear of your foot pain. My mother had one of those and I remember her discomfort. I'll probably be next in line for one as I love to go barefoot, getting older and weight gain. I hope your new shoes will give relief! You have such beautiful blooms! And I love your Ruddy Daggerwing - I have not had one visit me yet. Hope you have a lovely weekend! Lynn

Dewena said...

I remember having that decades ago and I was a barefoot girl then too. Alas, no more can I do that. Even wearing slippers very long in the house can trigger it again. Good orthotic inserts are such a help. when my husband had this foot condition he did wear the splint while he was sleeping, such a bother but it helped him.

I haven't heard of the shoes you wrote about but I will check them out for myself.

Linda said...

Gorgeous photos. You have a lovely blog.

BeachGypsy said...

Hope you are having a real nice weekend my friend!!its hot and sunny here! Weve been planting sunflower seeds and "summerizing" our little backyard

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Sorry to hear about your foot pain. I hope you find relief with the new supportive shoes.
Lots of lovely blooms, and O that butterfly is gorgeous!

sweetbay said...

Your flowers are gorgeous! I had a bad stubborn case of PF last year. If you have trouble getting rid of it drop me a note.

A Joyful Cottage said...

Gorgeous flowers, Rainey. I'm glad you know what your foot trouble is and that you have some steps you can take to relieve it. Enjoy your beautiful garden and the butterflies. xo ~ Nancy

Rebecca said...

Came back to your blog to see how you were doing - and find it very "quiet" here. Know that you've come to my mind and I've prayed for you. Hoping your finding a way to at least alleviate some of the heel pain. It DOES take awhile. I don't think there is a quick cure. ♥

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Your flowers are so beautiful and I'm sorry you are having trouble with your feet. I KNOW what that is like. Luckily I have never had the plantar facitis, but my daughter has and she says it is not fun. I am going to check out the shoes, maybe they would be good for my feet..Happy Thursday..Judy

Susan said...

You are surrounded by so many beautiful blooms - paradise! I had the same foot problem as you. I only wear vionics now - huge difference. The biggest thing that helped me was to wear a compression sock a couple hours a day. The compression part of the sock was on my arch. You should be able to find a pair at an athletic shoe store. Good luck to you.

BeachGypsy said...

Hi Lorraine-'-stopped in to see how your heels are feeling? Any improvement?

Deb said...

I do hope the shoes help with your feet, I have been experiencing pain on the side of my foot and had to try differnt shoes so far so good.
I too have been shifting things in my garden to make it easier to work and water especially with the hotter weather coming.

Terra said...

I had that same foot condition a couple years ago and it disappeared after about 6 months. I found Clark's brand sandals have nice cushioning in the heels, plus, like you said, inserts which I buy at drug stores. It sounds like you have a sweet deal lined up on the shoes you want. I hope your problem disappears too, like mine did.

Roosterhead Designs said...

Hi there Lorraine~ Just checking on you; how is your foot?!
I am hoping you are improving? and things are going well. Hope you enjoying beautiful weather and lovely flowers too!
Take care, Karen O

Darcie said...

Oh you poor dear! Sorry about your plantar fasciitis. I have to admit how you wrote about it made me smile. ;-) Hope you get some relief for it soon.

RockWhisperer said...

Lorraine, I'm wondering how you are faring...

I've had PF and it really was painful. I tried all sorts of things, nothing helped. Then we moved here where we have an upstairs. Over time, the left foot healed all by itself, I think from the stretching that happened every time I went up and down stairs. The other, I had to have surgery on, because I missed a step and fell, while scraping the bottom of my right foot on the edge of each step as I went down. I was probably lucky not to break anything but it made a big spur that had to be removed. The Perils of Ilene. Seems it never ends. The podiatrist told me lots of women that wear high heels or that sleep on their stomachs end up with PF. Something about that muscle that's at the back of the heel, you know, where we get blisters when new shoes don't quite fit right? Anyway, it shortens and stiffens with age and not stretching it out enough seems to aggravate it.

I hope you're finding some relief, I'm so grateful not to have it anymore, hope you'll be healing soon. Hugs xoxoxo

Unknown said...

Hope the foot problems continue to improve with your new shoes Lorraine! Your flower photographs are always a delight and I especially love the ones of the orchids.
- Kate x