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Whilst out and about¹ to inspect the driveway I was told that one part was okay, the rest was like an ice rink.
Me, Mr. Vermonter and supposedly knowing better, decided to check the slippery bit. Long story short, body went one way, lower left leg went t'other.
While hitting the ground, no damage there, I fall gracefully, I felt a stretch in the inner ligament running beside my left knee. Stretched the hell out of it. Hurt like hell, felt nauseous for a moment.
Couldn't get up, it was that slippery. Had Tuttle drag me to the walkable part of the drive where I was able to regain my feet. Decided that "fun time outside" was now officially over and I withdrew to the house to ice that knee.
Yes, it hurts sometimes to get old.
Hurts worse when you realize that your motor skills ain't what they used to be.
I'll be offline for a few days.
The Muse saw me fall and said, "Eff that, I'm outta here."
Stay frosty my friends.
¹ Oot and aboot in Canadian parlance.
Yep, ice and old age not a happy encounter. I carry sand and throw wherever I suspect ice as I do my chores.
ReplyDeleteWasn't doing chores. Where do you carry the sand?
DeleteI have lidded jars (ex-peanut jars-coffee jars) everywhere. A dab of salt mixed in keeps them useable.
DeleteAs EMS I know a single hard fall and my cellphone flying way over there I might suffer a long time before my cane using wife finds me.
Ah, prepositioned, very nice.
DeleteYep,I'm just 5'6" and I got a demonstration on that 32'/second acceleration rate yesTurdDay. It's damn quick when you're short. IDK what it feels like to the 6' and up types. I was doing Fine, on the iced over deck. But that first step off the MoFo and I felt that foot start skating and I knew how it was going to end. I had an overfull container of kitchen trimmings, heading to the compost pile. I've been putting it off, because, ice,dangit.. I didn't lose much, it was pretty painless, but I'm expecting there will be some consequences ..
ReplyDeleteAt least the power stayed on this time. It's almost a given that it goes down if we have a decent ice storm.
Losing power is my constant worry. Thinking seriously about that generator.
DeleteDepending on what heating you use a solar generator power pack is really nice. This storm I didn't have to tote my smaller unit over to keep my neighbors oil furnace running. Had to the storm before. I do wish I could convince them to buy one and keep it charged.
DeleteBut then again, I was forced into getting a power pack because of CPAP power requirements and my system grew from that.
Now I can run everything except for electric heaters off my Eco flow and recharge it easily when I fire up the generator. Sort of a diesel sub maneuver.
Why not just use a generator? Well, I checked and the fuel use from running lights and such or full power to charge eco flow, run well pump and electric heat all around is almost the same per hour.
It's all in the mix at this point.
DeleteI still have the quick reflexes of my youth but I also have the clumsiness of old age. My golly, the combination can be destructive.
ReplyDeleteSame here, what's worse is that my brain still thinks we're in our 20s!
Deleteanother thing I noticed after a bad fall (is there any such thing as a good fall?) was that my ribs aren't as elastic (they break much easier) as they were in my 20s
ReplyDeleteis there any such thing as a good fall?
DeleteI can think of two. The first and best? Someone Else does it. The second is going Up carpeted stairs.
Ya don't get a complete Trip when ya trip. Provided they aren't so steep that ya wind up at the bottom.
I'm 71 ,alone, and a ladder is intimidating now. I was thinking about WTF would I do if I fell. After a few minutes it occurred to me,, I lay a phone at the bottom of the ladder. That's no guarantee that I'll be Able to make that call, but it seems like a better idea than nothing.
boron - Everything is fragile after a certain age, especially one's ego!
DeleteJustin - I view every ladder as a potential assassin.
DeleteRe: Buying a Generator
DeleteI'm no authority, But if I understood this guy correctly, they make generators with invertor technology that allows it to make 60 cycles without having to run 3,000ish RPM. They ramp up RPM to make enough current to satisfy the load. So, if you're not trying to run too much stuff and can live without the water heater you can get more hours out of five gallons o gas..
The water heater sucks a good amount of juice. I'm guessing this new one doesn't pull too hard. The last electric bill was a whoppin
$52.00. Gas heaters on the wall in two rooms,clothes dryer,stove. The genny is electric start,but doesn't have invertdr gdcno. The one I replaced has a propane kit. I need to see if it can be swapped onto this one. I have a wet line on one tank,so I can refill my bottles. Just need different body to get down there and check it out.
We'll see how it goes.
DeleteYikes Sarge......if you're going to be inspecting slippery surfaces try some sort of traction cleats to attach to your footwear.
ReplyDeleteA momentary loss of forethought. Won't happen again.
DeleteSarge,
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that and hope you get better soon.
juvat
Knee is sore, not as bad as I'd feared. No swelling.
DeleteClose call for a 70+ yo....
ReplyDeleteYup. Won't do that again .
DeleteThe hubris of youth! Glad it wasn't worse, and hope nothing else shows up.
ReplyDeleteI know, right?
DeleteYou don't bounce as you get older and at some time you have to have a word with yourself. I don't go up ladders anymore and I get someone in if I have to retired.
DeletePro tip - do not under any circumstances let someone trick you into a game of rugby when you are post 40. Takes days to recover.
Retired
Rugby, avoid, AYE!
DeleteI took a tumble on the ice on Monday. As soon as I got back inside, I downed two Motrin as a preventative measure. The COB asked if I got hurt when I hit the ice?
ReplyDeleteNo, I threw something out while attempting not to fall.
COB said it did look like a Bojangles dance routine for a second or two.
Feel better.
Roger that!
DeleteGetting oot and aboot when there's ice aboot is a good way to get a boot, or in your case a knee brace. There's probably an ICE joke in there somewhere, but I'll leave that alone...for now.
ReplyDeleteSprained ligament. that'll teach me.
DeleteAutomatic PLF (Parachute Landing Fall) has often saved me from serious injury over the years. About nine months ago I tripped and went flat on my ample belly. Other than some abrasions and scratched glasses, nothing serious about the fall. What a wake up! Age has caught up with me. Since then close attention is given to where I walk and the surface conditions.
ReplyDeleteYup, PLF is the right way to do it!
Delete