T. Woolf

Okay, this is probably not a problem for people, but I need some suggestions.

Several years back, I got some strawberry plants and put them in a pot. One sent out runners and ended up creating four plants by the door my spouse would accidentally weed-whack because he had no idea what they were. (He's not a farmer, Owen. He's too much like his father...) Anyway,
I created a small raised bed and dug up those four plants. I figured giving them a third of the bed would be good enough.

OMG, they think they're in a strawberry plant spa and have sent out runners in an attempt to take over the raised bed! (BWAHAHAHAHA! We are strawberry plants and we will take over the world!)  The thyme, chamomile, marjoram, and sage are giving them the side-eye. And of course, no strawberries to speak of this year. Sigh.

So, I have runners I've clipped and put into a pot. They'll probably send out runners of their own. 🙄 But the main plants are still sending out runners.

What should I do with them? I can't imagine I'll have enough to sell or give them away, but maybe I will. At the same point, it's almost fall and people aren't thinking about strawberries.

Ideas? 🤔

Jay Angler wrote:

T. Woolf wrote: (And yeah, I HATED using the walker. On the plus side, people got out of my way and held open doors! )  

Walkers are *much* easier on your arms than crutches and *much* safer.

Here, here! When I sprained my ankle way back when I was 18, I had never used crutches and ended up spraining the other ankle! 😮😮😮

Yeah, me the klutz. Despite my dislike for the walker, I used it for about 3 weeks until my physical therapist said I was good to switch to my walking stick. I used the walker so long, because it was a great barrier against dog body slams. Now, to be fair, my dogs all became protective and gentle to me. Even my wild child, Riggs, a cattle dog mix who is a new addition to the pack. Riggs smelled my knee and became very gentle around me. But I kept that walker between me and playing dogs because one fall and I'd be back on the operating table.

If there's one rule that you MUST follow, it's don't fall.

And even though I'm not a doctor, that is the best advice ever.

Tereza Okava wrote:Estate tea (or more appropriately, single-estate tea) comes from a single farm and isn't mixed with other leaves from other farms or regions. If you enjoy high-end tea it's like wine, people like certain teas from certain regions and even certain time periods (since it can be aged). I used to be super into specialty tea.

I have also seen 'estate' also used on boxes of what I would call supermarket tea, the stuff in bags that I pick up at the market for making iced tea. I think in this case it's sort of like the word 'natural'-- means nothing but sounds kinda fancy.

Correct. Good single-estate tea is usually loose leaf and not in bags. I suspect "estate tea" is just a marketing gimmick.  

Susan Mené wrote:I have a new knee!  Home the same day!  
I wish I could post a recording of me walking with the walker yesterday.  Definitely added some new terms to my list of weird (non) curse words while half laughing/half crying https://permies.com/t/373207/frustration-kicks-HARD

Congrats! It's all uphill from here! Sure, there's pain, but you'll be healing and getting better, not getting worse. Keep that in mind. And yes, pain meds do help, so follow your surgeon's instructions.

And yeah, that strip looks so familiar. Wait until you see the 8 inch long scar--it is starting to fade on me now, so  it won't be as pronounced as it was. Do your physical therapy exercises and you'll be off the walker in 2-4 weeks!

(And yeah, I HATED using the walker. On the plus side, people got out of my way and held open doors! )

Susan Mené wrote:

Thanks for this; the martial arts reference especially speaks to me.  I've got the martial arts background too, which is probably a part of the reason I need a knee replacement (totally worth it!).  Hearing about the pain you experienced and how you dealt with it is so helpful.  is so helpful.I heard such a range of experiences; I'm taking them all in and waiting to see what mine will be.  

I'll be honest with you. I think your 3 month goal is extremely optimistic. Yes, at 8 weeks I am walking without aids most of the time, BUT... I tire easily. I still have spikes of pain that cause me to gasp, and I doubt I'm going to be able to hike up the mountain behind my house in four weeks. I'm planning on hunting during general rifle season, but there are places we can go that are relatively flat. Yesterday, my physical therapy guy cleared me for taking stairs "normally" also known as "reciprocal." rather than stepping down with the operated leg and stepping up with the non-operated leg. He says I'm a month ahead of anyone else (30 years as a physical therapist, so I think he knows).  

I'm working on balance right now. Gods, what a mess I am with that! But yeah, I'm getting better. If you can rely on your training in martial arts to do what they tell you to do, that's good. Also don't do what I did the day after surgery! I was so gung ho, I started the exercises they gave me the day after surgery, and I pushed myself until I felt a huge pop! I called the on-call surgeon who told me to stop and rest for a couple of days before starting the exercises again. Oops. Seems my surgeon and his PA forgot to tell me when to start them. (Ask before you do something wrong.)

I have had ups and downs in mood, and that's normal too. If you get depressed or down, talk with your medical practitioners to make sure that's normal for you. Also, while they almost always have you up and moving the same day and have you moving around a lot, always check in with them if something causes you pain. Pain (sudden spikes) while exercising is usually not good. Again, I'm not a doctor, just someone going through the recovery, and am giving you my opinion. Always, always check with your surgeon or physical therapist before taking anyone's advice. (Including my advice).

Again, good luck with your surgery. Let us know how it goes!

Someone here mentioned, but I'll reiterate that many places have laws against planting invasive weeds. Scottish Thistle (among other plants) are considered noxious and invasive weeds here in Montana. Depending on the laws where you live, you could be fined for planting thistles. Around here, we have tons of knapweed and thistles that crowd out native species. So, if you're in the states, contact your Ag Extension Office and ask what the rules are about planting the thistles you're considering.

Good luck!

Susan Mené wrote:     Has anyone out there done this already?  I will be posting my adventure on here.
    I anticipate 3 days of misery, three weeks of "at-least-this-is-better-than-the-first-three-days" and progress, three months of intense work to get my new parts in optimal working condition.  That's if all goes as planned.
    No general anesthesia, just conscious sedation. I should be released 4-5 hours after surgery; again this is if all goes as planned.  
    Hope to get to know some of you better as I share this here.

 

I had my knee replaced in July. A fan of mine (I write books for a living) asked me how I was doing on the knee replacement. Rather than type out the same things, I'll quote from my letter:

Well, I've dealt with worse pain, but then, I realize a lot of people haven't experienced near what I have. And my martial arts background kind of makes me grit through the worst of the Physical Therapy. The surgeon and Physical Therapy guy say I'm in their top 10% when it comes to recovery, but...I chalk it up to just doing the damn exercises even when I don't feel like it. Everyone will tell you to do them, and I'm probably not saying anything new here. Just work with pain management and let them know when you're hurting. Don't act tough and think you can push through the pain. And don't push through pain with the exercises. Just do what you can, even if it's not perfect. They are working on range of motion. Oh and ice machines are your friend.

Professionals say to expect a long time recovering. My Physical Therapy guy tells me it takes about 2 years to get to one's new normal. My knee was operated on in July, and we're coming up on month two since the new knee. I'm off the walker and only use a walking stick on stairs and for steadying on uneven surfaces. The Physical Therapy guy wants to work with me to use stairs like a normal person. For a person who did martial arts, my balance is bad, but I'm working on it! Remember though, your mileage may vary, and I'm apparently better off than most people getting the surgery.

Still, there's some pain (expected) and a great deal of stiffness (also expected). One thing I learned about the surgery is that there is a risk of infection, albeit low. Still, something to keep in mind. Thankfully, no signs of infection here. I think that's part of the concern when it comes to weight, since above a certain body mass can cause more complications.

Please note I am not a medical professional and not offering medical advice.  Good luck with the replacement!

Timothy Norton wrote:

Outside of the methods mentioned, I'm really interested in the usage of enzymes to tenderize meat. Things such as pineapple, papaya, and kiwi show promise in tenderizing meat. It is important to not leave these on the meat too-long or it can really break it down to the point of mushiness.

I don't know if other fruit juices tenderize, but I've been known to use a mixture of orange juice, apple juice, and concentrated cranberry juice in my turkey brine. Makes it taste wonderful!

I brine my meat usually with salt and brown sugar. But the meat I brine is usually venison or turkey (home raised or wild). Makes a huge difference.

John Weiland wrote: A quick interjection.... Pretty rare to be in September with green tomatoes, but seems a lot are in this boat.  

Good point. I thought I was behind on things, but my princess mandarin mini is still blossoming and growing scads of what are now green tomatoes. Maybe that is the OP's problem right now?