Followers

Thursday 19 April 2007

My Dad.....

My dear old Dad is 82 years old and lives in sheltered accomodation. He has his own little one bedroom bungalow, but it is in the grounds of a council run property where there is a warden who checks on all the residents every day to make sure they are ok. This is a great idea especially for the families of the residents, as it means if there are any problems we get to know straight away.


Just outside his backdoor is a communal garden. Well actually it wasn't really a garden at all, just a patch of grass and a border with some overgrown shrubs. My Dad said it was like looking out at a cemetery so, as he said he'd be seeing one soon enough, he decided to do something about it.

Photographs copyright 2007 Click on photos to enlarge

First he dug out his own borders and filled them with plants








Then, much to the council's chagrin, he dug all the shrubs up! Once the council found out what he'd done it was too late, they were a bit upset but he persuaded them to put some roses in to fill the gap, saying a bit of colour would cheer everyone up!



He then went to work creating some more flower beds, growing a lot of the flowers from seed.







Dad cleared this plot outside one of the other bungalows and replanted, because the man who lives there is in a wheelchair and blind.



And this bit of garden is outside another bungalow where the occupant is 90 years old - "she's an old lady, she can't possibly do it herself!" said my Dad.





The council are so pleased with what Dad has done they now supply him with new bedding plants every spring. Dad won't let the council gardeners put the plants in because he has put all sorts of bulbs etc of his own in and he says they wouldn't know where everything is!

He wanted us to buy him a lawnmower to cut the patch of grass because the council only cut it every 4 weeks, but we persuaded him that cutting the grass would really be too much work for him.

The council's head gardener has praised Dad for his work and a bench has been provided so that all the residents can enjoy the garden now it is so colourful.

I really don't know where Dad get's his energy from. He has arthritis in his hands and hips but it doesn't stop him doing anything. He's out most days at various places playing Bridge or Whist, but as soon as there's a bit of sunshine he's out there in the garden. What a guy!
I just hope if I reach the age of 82 I'm as sprightly as my dear old Dad.


My knee
Thursday 19th April
Getting around using one crutch now and doing really well. I have started using the ankle weights to help build up the muscle. I'm really pleased with myself!

24 comments:

GEWELS said...

How blessed they all are to have your Dad to brighten their environment.
My Dad is just like that too. He's only 75, but is in the process of planting 25 evergreens in the garden. He also has gorgeous azaleas and rosebushes as well as tomato plants. Besides, he still drives a taxi on most days, in the city.
I think the activity is what keeps him young. Now my mother is another story. I'll write about her soon.

Akelamalu said...

gewels
Oh God bless your dad, how fit is he? It takes a load off when they're fit like that doesn't it? :)

Queenie said...

How weird I was going to post about my dad with Babs being ill!!!
Babe, its only because I had to do this meme, a *friend* sent me that I didn't, we are twins.
I have had the pleasure of meeting and singing with your dad, hes a real cool dude. I think you will make a 102yrs easy, we are well preserved!!!!!love ya

Baba said...

Your Dad sounds like a sport...Being busy is keeping him young.My Mom is 85, lives alone, drives her car, cooks, shops, and has more energy than me...Thanks for stopping by my blog.I will take a picture of my Butterfly bush and show you. Baba

talj said...

What a lvoely post! Your Dad really is a star! I am sure that the residents prefer the wonderful colour to the dull patches of grass they had before! Way to go Dad!!

And great to read you and your knee are doing well! {{HUGS}}

Akelamalu said...

Queenie
Ah we are twins babe! I hope we are both around at 102 - is wine a preservative? :)

Night Owl
Your Mum sounds a fantastic lady too. I look forward to seeing the butterfly bush.

Talj
The residents love to see what Dad has been doing in the garden and it keeps him going strong. Thanks for the hugs they are much appreciated. xx

CG said...

Your dad is incredible. You must be so very proud of him. His garden must give lots of pleasure.
Glad to hear the knee is doing ok xxx

Queenie said...

You know it is, that was the joke!
Can you remember that mowtown night, with the two senior ladies, wearing the black dresses and pearls? Thats us babe. (((hugs))) &Xs

Akelamalu said...

cg
Oh I am so, so proud of him! Thanks for the good wishes.

Queenie
Just checking, cos I don't drink nearly as much as you! ;)
Oh I remember that night well!

lettuce said...

a great post, he sounds fab., your dad.

glad the knee is doing well.

la bellina mammina said...

Your dad is young at heart and that's what's important! You know, age is only mind over matter, if you don't mind, it doesn't matter!!

katie eggeman said...

What a great post, I think the key to long life is keeping busy. Bless your Dad's kind heart!

Unknown said...

That's so great of your father to do. And good in that it gets him up and out and doing things. Sounds beneficial for him and his neighbors!

Akelamalu said...

Lettuce
I think he is, thanks for the good wishes. :)

La Bellina Mammina
:) you are so right!

Bankerchick
Yes, I praying he will be active for a long time yet.

Nik
Dad definitely benefits from the exercise and it's nice that the neighbours do to. :)

Queenie said...

OOOOOh, you little fibber!!!!

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

your dad sounds like such a lovely person! you are a very lucky girl to have him. but i'm sure you know that!

smiles, bee

Akelamalu said...

Queenie
C'mon tell the truth!

Bee
Oh yes I bless every day he's here!

Catch said...

Your Dad has done a beautiful job.....he must be enjoying watching all these beautiful plants grow!

Pearls of Wisdom said...

Your Father has done a beautiful job and seems so wonderful. Thanks for sharing the beautiful pictures they are lovely. He seems like such a hoot.

Hugs,

Angel

Akelamalu said...

Catch
Oh yes he loves the garden.

Angel
Thankyou, he is a fun guy!

Me said...

i love this post. how great this is. i just love how that generation keeps on going. they never give up and look how he has made the lives of others nicer. i'm sure it makes him feel better too. so great.

jessielavon@yahoo.com said...

IT'S A FRONT PORCH PARTY! AND CHECK IT OUT DARLING,I GOT A LITTLE WATERMELLON FOR MY POINTIE THINGIE! And my kids are home for the week end,later darlings,keep signing up for the front porch give away.
I am going to have a front porch party on the morning of April 30th.
so come on over and sat a spell.
bring your mountain dew ,coffee or what ever,cracker pie or anything else even art work. Just bring y'alls selvs.
ALL Y'ALL HAVE TO DO IS LEAVE A COMMENT TO THIS POST BETWEEN TONIGHT AND BY 8 A.M ON THE 30TH AND I WILL DRAW A NAME ON THE 30TH AND THE WINNER WILL GET A FREE PAINTING OF CHOISE.
TITLES Y'ALL CAN CHOOSE FROM ARE ON MY EARLY POST A FEW WAYS DOWN POST THAT SHOWS ALL MY WORK.
IT WILL BE A 11"X 8" SO LEAVE THEM COMMENTS SWEETPEAS.
FOR EVERY 50 DIFFERENT COMMENTS EACH A DIFFERENT PERSON/BLOGGER THERE WILL BE A WINNER UP TO 200 COMMENTS.. LETS GET READY FOR A PARTY DARLINGS.
oh a added thoughts,bring yourselvs,art ,photos,creative,lemonaid,garden hat anything at all and I will share the photos afterwards. I will have the table set with mountain dew,coffee,chocolate truffles,pans of beans to shell ,art and anything else I can think of between now and then.

The drawing will be right after I have my meds,see to my auggie and tucker and my garden. I am having so much fun I dont know which way I am going,CAN Y'ALL TELL I LOVE GETTING COMMENTS! ebay is loaded,I just added aceo cards and paintings.COME SEE ME UMDER purple*cucumbers over there.

Akelamalu said...

Bonnie Ann
Ah yes, they never give up do they, as you know from your own dear Dad.

Akelamalu said...

Purple Cucumbers
Thanks for dropping by and for the invitation, I'll pop by your place soon.