Since my early twenties I have had numbness in my toes.
Without going into details, I was told it would become steadily worse, which it has, but luckily it has done so very slowly. I can still get out and about and do my six or seven mile walks, so I'm not complaining. I just have to wear sensible shoes, watch where I am walking, and take extra good care of my feet.
I can't trip the light fantastic, but then I never could.
There are days when the toes are painful, rather than numb, but other people deal with much worse.
Today the wind had dropped a little, although it was bitingly cold. I needed to get out and about to blow the cobwebs away, so did Toby.
Our first stop of the day was a visit to this lovely old chap. I don't know how old he is, but pretty ancient. He was well and truly snuggled up in his blankets and feeling sociable so we stopped for a chat.
The paddock across the way holds these two and several of their chums. I think Toby was saying that they are a bit whiffy.
We set off across the fields - a rough ploughed field. The ground was rock hard, otherwise I wouldn't have taken this shortcut.
Once we cleared the muddy field, the going was much easier. We went over the next little footbridge and on towards the dark mass you can see on the horizon...that is the Wild Wood. We only skirted it though, I wanted to head for a particular ditch. I was on a mission.
I wanted a few sprigs of pussy willow. They always say "Spring is coming" to me, I hope they are right.
They were part of my childhood and I want to make them part of my grandchildren's too.
Those branches are a sign of spring. I see them for sale at this time of year. I settled for sprigs of the silk version so I had them year after year. Didn’t bring any of those silk flowers here when we downsized.
ReplyDeleteHi Marcia, The small signs are all there, now we need the weather to join in and warm everything. I hope you get great weather for your cruise.
DeleteNow yours was a mission worthwhile! I love your sprigs of pussy willows; sure enough sign of spring, so goodbye to that hard frozen ground. Catching up here a bit; so glad you were able to find a Florence White autobiography. I did a search but everything I found was way out of my price range. I hope you'll let us know, here, a bit more about this interesting lady. Also, your wild garlic bread looks marvelous. I hope you are saving those beautiful photos for the cookbook you will be doing one of these days. You should you know!
ReplyDeleteHello Chip, I searched online for days, looking for that book, talk about expensive and scarce. Eventually I tracked down a very good copy at less than a third of the price of any of the others. I have a birthday coming up in a month or two, so my husband bought it for me, as I would rather have the book than a bottle of perfume! He has hidden it, but come the day there will be no stopping me. A big "Thank you" must go to you, best birthday present in a long time!
DeleteI'm with you on the "springness" of pussy willow. My other "springy" one is lambs' tails which look so lovely with a few daffodils.
ReplyDeleteHello Frugally challenged, That really is a beautiful combination. Our daffodils are very slow to open this year - a couple of days of milder weather should do it. It would do us all the power of good, too.
DeleteI don't think I've ever seen a pussy willow but notice many mentioning them now. Happy equinox and spring.
ReplyDeleteHere the red anemones are the most obvious sign of an awakening. Soon t will be poppies.
Hello Linda, So many flowers are just waiting for a little warmth, soon it will be all systems go!
DeleteBlue skies, warmth and red poppies - a joyful combination!
Sounds like you are fitter than me walking six miles like that. It was bad enough doing two and a half the other day, my toes felt numb at the end
ReplyDeleteHello Bill, As long as I have the right footwear on those long walks are usually a delight. Perhaps you had the 'wrong' footwear on - or was it one of those bitterly cold days.
DeleteToby is a doll! I love pussy willows - I had been given a tree 12 years ago and I put it down in its pot by the deck, then forgot about it. It is massive now and graces me with pussy willows every spring.
ReplyDeleteHello Susan, It is such lovely, tactile stuff. You must have quite a lot of it after twelve years! All we need now is some warm weather, blue skies and sunshine - we live in hope!
DeleteThat looks a nice walk, and well done on keeping going good distances despite the problems with your toes. The old grey horse looks a sweetie, and warm as toast under his horsey hoody! I had a neck-cover for my Arab's rug and he appreciated it - he HATED getting wet and would have had a hat for his ears if they did such things!!!
ReplyDeleteIt was so good to get out into the fresh air and into the quiet fields. Happiness! He is a dear old horse, he has a very small and rather chunky pony to keep him company in his dotage. Sounds like your Arab (what glorious lines and lucky you) was equally loved and tended.
DeleteLove that pussy willow, such a herald of spring! Happy Equinox today! And what a lovely walk you had.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your toes. Is it Reynaud's Syndrome, or something else perhaps. But as you say, it's not stopped you from walking, so I hope with your sensible shoes there will be many more walks for you.
Margaret P
www.margaretpowling.com
Hello Margaret, This is the reason I invest so much in the right Wellington boots. (I can no longer wear my walking boots as I can't feel the ground through them.) I need my boots to cushion my feet and to give me really good grip on muddy surfaces! I shall keep plodding on as long as I can. I have just returned from a wonderful walk - beautiful scenery, blue skies, sunshine and mild temperatures. England at her loveliest.
DeleteWell, this is the third post, I have managed to miss. -sigh- Must deal with this issue, and quickly.
ReplyDeleteI thought you had missed a day, and wondered if all was fine? But it was me who missed your post, perhaps. Well, I am finally here!
Sorry about the all-the-time issue. Guess lots of us have one kind or another. And you are wise, in that you know how to deal with it, and do. So glad you can do your beloved walks.
Lovely old horse!!! Lovely as only an old horse, can be. :-) So happy that his owner keeps him warm.
Hello Luna, I was called out to play by sunshine and a mild day. It was wonderful! Days like this are so rare that nothing was going to get in my way of getting out and about. Mother Nature rewarded my efforts, the housework always waits until i get home. I love in hope that some friendly little elves will have been in and done it for me... alas! they hadn't. Enjoy the rest of your day.
DeleteIT’s so true about pussy willow... I absolutely love them ... What a lucky find...after a long walk .... It must be Springtime in your part of the world.... Hugs
ReplyDeleteHello Zaa, The pussy willow is beautiful. We had the most wonderful spring weather today - Mother Nature was showing us how beautiful the world can be after weeks of cold grey days, ice and snow. It was very energising!
Deleteonly to be found in a florist shop here are pussy willows,
ReplyDeleteI have had a ton of asparagus this year, usually to expensive,
but am lucky to live a block away from a grocer extraordinaire,
international fruit and veggies, that I must learn about.
Seems like everyone is intune with each other as soon as the flowers
start blooming, everyone has a smile to share.
Hello Nancy, Those pussy willows have flowered now, I have them in a brilliant blue vase, along with some daffodils from the garden - they really light up the room and lift the spirit.
DeleteLucky you, having such a wonderful green/grocer nearby. We have another month or so to wait for the asparagus to come through - a real seasonal treat. Enjoy those vegetables and fruit.