Mountain Views News          Saturday, June 28, 2014

13

THE GOOD LIFE

 Mountain Views News Saturday, June 28, 2014 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS

ERGONOMIC TOOLS THAT CAN EASE 
GARDENING PAINS

Dear Savvy Senior:

Can you recommend some good ergonomic 
gardening gear for seniors? My 72-year-old 
mother loves to work in the garden, but has been 
plagued by various gardening injuries this year.

Looking for Solutions

Dear Looking:

There’s no doubt that gardening can be tough on an aging body. Garden work often requires a lot of 
repetitive stooping, squatting, kneeling, gripping and lifting, which can lead to back and knee pain, 
carpal tunnel syndrome and various other injuries. 

To help make your mom’s gardening chores a little easer is a slew of new and improved garden-ing 
gear that’s lightweight, comfortable to use, and ergonomically designed to help protect her body from 
the physical strains of gardening. Here are several that can help.

Gloves: There are a number of specially designed gloves that can improve your mom’s grip and protect 
her hands while she works. Two of the best are the “Atlas Nitrile Touch Garden Gloves” (available at 
amazon.com for under $6), which are coated with a flexible synthetic rubber. And the “ReliefGrip 
Gardening” gloves (bionicgloves.com, $35), that have extra padding in the palm and finger joints that 
can improve grip, and cause fewer calluses and blisters.

Digging Tools: There are ergonomic tools that can help protect your mom’s wrists by reducing the 
bending and twisting wrist movement that often comes with digging and weeding. 

Some good options include Radius Garden tools (radiusgarden.com), which make a variety of 
curved-handle hand tools (scooper, weeder, transplanter, cultivator and trowel) and shovels that run 
between $10 and $50. And Corona tools (coronatoolsusa.com), which makes the ComfortGEL and 
eGrip hand garden tools. 

Another excellent product is the “Cobrahead Weeder and Cultivator” (cobrahead.com), an all-
purpose digging and weeding tool that’s available in a short handle version for close up work for $25; 
and a long handle for standing work for $60.

Knee and Back Aids: Kneepads and garden seats can also protect your mom’s knees and save her 
back when working close to the ground. Some popular products sold today through the Gardener’s 
Supply Company (gardeners.com) – a leading developer and manufacturer of innovative garden 
equipment – are the “GardenEase Kneeler” ($70), which is a kneeling pad with support handles; the 
“Garden Kneeler” ($35) that’s a kneepad/garden bench combo; and the “Deluxe Tractor Scoot with 
Bucket Basket,” which is a height-adjustable, swivel garden seat on wheels ($90). 

Pruning Tools: Fiskars (fiskars.com) makes some of the finest ergonomic pruning tools that have also 
earned the Arthritis Foundation’s Ease of Use Commendation, because of their patented PowerGear 
mechanisms that increases leverage to make cutting three times easier than traditional pruners. The 
Fiskars PowerGear Hand Pruners, Loppers and Hedge Shears all run between $25 and $48.

Bahco and Corona also make a nice line of ergonomic pruning tools and handsaws that you can see 
at bahcostore.com or coronatoolsusa.com.

Watering: To help make your mom’s watering chores a little easier, there are lightweight garden 
hoses; soaker or drip hoses that can be snaked throughout the garden; and hose chests that can 
automatically rewind themselves.

Some good companies that make these products include Water Right Inc. (waterrightinc.com), 
which makes a variety of super lightweight garden and coil hoses. The DIG Corp. (digcorp.com), 
which makes convenient drip irrigation kits and micro sprinkler kits. And Suncast (suncast.com), 
the leading maker of self-winding hose reels, and hose carts. 

Container Gardening: Raised garden beds, trellises, and container gardening is also an easier way 
to grow plants and flowers because it brings the garden to you, eliminating most stooping, squatting 
and kneeling. The Gardener’s Supply Company (gardeners.com) offers a wide range of raised beds 
and garden containers at prices ranging anywhere between $10 up to $350. 

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.
org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.


By Pat Birdsall 

(Originally published in 2013)

FYI - PREVENTING FALLS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE HOME

 

 Falls are one of the leading causes of accidental injury and death among Americans, particularly 
with children, seniors and the elderly. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
(CDC), each year 1 in every 3 adults ages 65 and older falls and 2 million are treated in emergency 
departments for fall-related injuries. Four basic fall prevention tips are recommended by the CDC 
and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) is as follows: 1) Get regular exercise: lack 
of exercise can lead to weak legs and increase the chances of falling. Walking and exercise programs 
(e.g. Tai Chi) can increase your strength and improve your balance. 2) Ask your physician and 
pharmacist to review all your medications: Some medications or combinations of medicines can 
have risky side effects like dizziness or drowsiness that make falling more likely.3) Have your vision 
checked:Make sure you are seeing clearly by having your eyes examined annually; verify that your 
glasses and/or contact lenses have the correct prescription strength. 4) Make your home safer by 
eliminating potential fall hazards: About 50 percent of all falls happen at home. Conduct a home 
safety check with a trusted friend or relative to identify potential hazards that need to be addressed, 
like poor lighting, clutter and electrical cords in walking paths and stairways, worn or loose carpet, 
etc. Some home improvements or repairs may be necessary to reduce fall risks depending on one’s 
particular situation, like installation of grab bars inside and next to tub or shower and next to toilet, 
etc. Check the website of the CDC www.cdc.gov as well as AARP at www.aarp.org 

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HELPFUL HINT: Use a magnet to find nails and studs in your walls.

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FOR YOUR FUNNY BONE 

 On a business trip to New Orleans, my son-in-law bought a set of expensive kitchen 
knives for his wife. His coworker was surprised. “You shouldn’t buy such an expensive 
gift for your wife on a business trip,” he said. “She’ll think you’ve been up to 
something.” “If I’d been up to something,” Mike replied, “I wouldn’t be bringing knives.”

 ~ ~ ~

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! … June Birthdays*

Nellie Haynes, Dorothy McKay, George Enyedi, Theresa Daley, Ann Dugerian, Marilyn 
McKernan, Pat Fujiwara, John Shier, Beth Smith-Kellock, Mary Carney, Ann Disbrow, Joan 
Ellison, Ruth Kirby, Irene Kudirka, Anne Montgomery, Trini Ornelas, Martha Spriggs, Pat 
Starkey, Kathleen Coyne, Suzanne Decker, Halcyon Koerber, Jacque Persing Jeanne Peterson and 
Grace Sanders.

 *To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 626.355.2737. YEAR of birth 
not required.

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Quote of the Week: “Let freedom never perish in your hands.” ~ Joseph Addison

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ACTIVITIES: Unless listed differently, all activities are at the Hart Park 
House (Senior Center) 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre

 

 YMCA San Gabriel Valley Intervale Senior Café: Monday-Friday at 12:00 Noon 

(Participants are urged to arrive no later than 11:45 A.M.) 

All seniors 60 and up can take part in the lunch program. There is a suggested 
donation of $2.00 for those 60 and over and $3.75 for non-senior guests. Daily reservations are 
necessary as space is limited. Please call 24 hours in advance...626.355.0256

Free Balance Class: Third Monday of every month 11:00 to 11:45 with Shannon Vandevelde. A 
variety of balance exercises are practiced; all ability levels are encouraged and welcomed.

Free Blood Pressure Testing: Held Second Tuesday of the month from 11:00 am-12:00 pm: No 
appointment necessary.

 

Bingo: Every Tuesday afternoon from 1:00 pm- 3:00 pm Cards are only .25c each! 

Chair Yoga Update: This class has become so popular that Instructor Paul Hagen has agreed to

offer another class. Starting Monday, April 7th chair yoga will meet twice a week on Mondays and 
Wednesdays from 11:00 to 11:45 am, except on the third Monday of the month when the balance 
class is held. Due to the demand for this class and Paul Hagen’s time a suggested donation of $5 at 
one of the classes is requested, but is not required. If you have any questions please feel free to stop 
by or give us a call 626.355.7394

Free Legal Consultation: Pasadena attorney Lem Makupson volunteers on the 2nd Wednesday of 
the month. He focuses on estate planning, trusts, wills, probate, conservatorships and business law. 
*Appointments are a must! Please call: 626.355.7394 to make yours

Birthday Celebrations: The 2nd Thursday of the month the Senior Center celebrates the birthdays 
of our patrons at 12:30 pm. Please join us for free cake and ice cream and “celebration.” (The cakes 
are provided due to a generous donation from the Sierra Madre Civic Club.)

Game Day: Every Thursday at 1:00pm. Poker is usually the game of choice, or should I say chance? 
Board games and other card games are also available. 

Free Strength Training Class: Every Friday from 1:00 pm -1:45 pm Conducted by long-time 
volunteer, Lisa Brandley. The class utilizes light weights for low-impact resistance training. Weights 
are provided by the Sierra Madre Senior Center. 

Senior Citizens Club: Every Saturday at the Hart Park House (Senior Center). Brown bag lunch at 
11:30am; Club meeting at Noon; Bingo 12:30- 3:30 pm. Only .25c per card.

LUNCH & LEARN: THE KENSINGTON - SIERRA MADRE

Wednesday, June 25th • 12:00 to 1:00 pm

 The Kensington, the Senior Center’s soon to be across the street neighbor, is scheduled to open 
in November 2014 and is designed to be a home for seniors who need assisted living and memory 
care services. Hear from Brandy Valencia, Executive Director of The Kensington, about the type 
of services they will offer, the design and layout of the building, and their involvement in the 
community. 


JOB’S WIFE

 My mom and I started reading 
“The Bible through a Year.” It is 
not a book, but rather a pacing 
guide for scripture reading that 
is included in many daily devotionals, such as 
“Our Daily Bread,” “My Utmost for His Highest,” 
etc. Each day there is scripture from the Old and 
New Testaments. Therefore, everyone following 
along in “The Bible Through a Year” is currently 
in the book of Job and the Acts of the Apostles.

 The story of Job is an answer to the age-old 
question, “Why do bad things happen to good 
people?” The account begins in Heaven, when 
the angels appeared before God, and Satan was 
there also. Like a proud father, God asked Satan 
if he had noticed His faithful servant, Job. Satan 
challenged Job by claiming that he was only 
faithful because God had blessed him so much. 
Essentially, Satan called Job a mercenary who 
would reject God if the good things in his life 
were taken away. 

 Therefore, God allowed Satan to strip Job of 
all he had held dear. In that same hour four of 
Job’s servants ran to him with different messages 
of doom. A band of Sabeans had killed his 
oxen, donkeys, and the servants attending them. 
Another band of Chaldeans had killed his camels 
and the servants attending them. Fire from 
heaven consumed Job’s sheep and their attending 
servants. And the house in which his ten children 
were eating and drinking suddenly collapsed 
upon them by a strong wind. Job tore his robe 
and fell down in dismay at this news. But he did 
not sin by charging God with wrong doing. 

 The next time the angels and Satan appeared 
before God, God asked Satan again if he had 
noticed His faithful servant, Job, (since Satan’s 
ploy to turn Job away from God had not worked). 
Satan said that as long as Job had his health, he 
would remain faithful, but if not for that, he 
would curse God. So God allowed Satan to strike 
Job with painful boils from the top of his head to 
the soles of his feet.

 Job sat mourning in a heap of ashes. His wife 
suggested that he give it up, “curse God and 
die!” Job did not do this, but cursed the day of 
his birth instead. (One is reminded of Jimmy 
Stewart in “It’s a Wonderful Life” when he wished 
he’d never been born.) Job’s three friends visited 
him and silently supported him for a week, but 
then spouted off bad advice. They accused Job 
of secretly sinning, and that was why God was 
judging him. They didn’t understand why bad 
things happen to good people any better than 
we do. Since Job was suffering, he must have 
done something to deserve it. Job responded 
to them and the four men discussed different 
philosophical views of life. (I said that in a few 
sentences, but they took 37 chapters!) “Miserable 
comforters!” Job called them. 

 Interestingly, when describing the mysteries 
of God, Job said that “He hangs the earth on 
nothing.” (26:7). At a time when others theorized 
that the earth was held between Atlas’ shoulders 
or carried on the back of a turtle, the God of the 
Bible was accurately credited with the concept of 
the planets existing in space. 

 Finally God responded to Job in a series of 
questions that illustrated the infinite distance 
between human knowledge and the wisdom 
of God. In the end, Job admitted his lack of 
understanding in view of God’s omniscience (“I 
know that You can do everything.” “Therefore I 
have uttered what I did not understand.”) God 
rebuked Job’s friends for having “not spoken of 
Me what is right” and restored Job to good health. 
He also blessed Job with ten children and double 
the number of live stock.

 Although I knew the story, I just recently 
realized that, when Job was being stripped of 
all the things that brought him pleasure and 
comfort, Satan let Job’s wife remain. So it seems 
Job did not have a happy marriage! Since his 
wife’s only recorded words were negative at best, 
and hateful at worst, it suggests that she wasn’t a 
great supporter of his. There are many lessons 
to be learned from the book of Job, but I think 
Job’s wife offers an additional insight --don’t be 
like her!


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com