My Mother is to blame for my biggest oops. I had injured my back at work and was recouperating at home, when I decided to finish the painting on the outside of the house. My DM came over to make sure I didn't climb the ladder (I was 36 at this time) and she told me she would use the ladder, that I needed to stay on the ground. Ok, I was fine with that, until she decided to move the ladder.................. and let it fall right on my head! This was a 20 ft. extension ladder, too. Needless to say, I saw stars, etc., but I hid it from her, so to this day she still doesn't know about it. I had her put the ladder away, and finished it another time and I make sure anytime a ladder is in use to make sure the field is clear before moving it.

In case the link is ever broken, cut and paste the PDF file here: Linda Chalker-Scott, Ph.D., Extension Horticulturist and Associate Professor, Puyallup Research and Extension Center, Washington State University The Myth of Gypsum Magic âAdding gypsum to your yard or garden will improve soil tilth and plant healthâ The Myth Upon continued prodding from one of my university extension colleagues, I recently watched several episodes of a well-known gardening program on television. My kids joined me, alerted by my animated responses to the hostâs non-stop torrent of advice. Among many amazing discoveries I learned that by adding gypsum to my yard or garden I would improve my problem soils by changing the particle size and loosening compaction. Further searching on the web revealed that gypsum would also improve drainage, decrease acidity, and eliminate soil salts. Previously, I had heard of gypsum for use in soil reclamation projects, but not for a typical urban landscape. Since gypsum is simply calcium sulfate, could this chemical truly transform soil structure and serve as a fertilizer for yards and gardens? The Reality This myth falls into the category of agricultural practices misapplied to ornamental landscapes. Gypsum effectively changes the structure and fertility of heavy clay soils, especially those that are heavily weathered or subject to intensive crop production. Gypsum also improves sodic (saline) soils by removing sodium from the soil and replacing it with calcium. Therefore, one can see improvement in clay soil structure and fertility, and desalinization of sodium-rich soils, by using gypsum. What other effects will gypsum have on soil and plant health? There are a number of scientific studies on gypsum usage both in the literature and on websites. Briefly, researchers have found: ⢠Gypsum does not usually change soil acidity, though occasional reports of both increasing and decreasing pH exist; ⢠Gypsum can increase leaching of aluminum, which can detoxify soils but also contaminates nearby watersheds; ⢠Gypsum can increase leaching of iron and manganese, leading to deficiencies of these nutrients; ⢠Gypsum applied to acid soils can induce magnesium deficiency in plants on site; ⢠Gypsum applied to sandy soils can depress phosphorus, copper and zinc transport; ⢠Gypsum can have negative effects on mycorrhizal inoculation of roots, which may account for several reports of negative effects of gypsum on tree seedling establishment and survival; ⢠Gypsum is variable in its effects on mature trees; ⢠Gypsum will not improve fertility of acid or sandy soils; ⢠Gypsum will not improve water holding capacity of sandy soils; and ⢠Gypsumâs effects are short-lived (often a matter of months) With the exception of arid and coastal regions (where soil salts are high) and the southeastern United States (where heavy clay soils are common), gypsum amendment is just not necessary in non-agricultural areas. Urban soils are generally amalgamations of subsoils, native and non-native topsoils, and - in home landscapes - high levels of organic and non-organic chemical additives. They are also heavily compacted and layered (and gypsum does not work well on layered soils). In such landscapes, it is pointless to add yet more chemicals in the form of gypsum unless you need to increase soil calcium levels. This nutrient deficiency can be quickly identified by any soil testing laboratory for less than a bag of gypsum costs. (If you need to improve sulfur nutrition, itâs wiser to use ammonium sulfate). To reduce compaction and improve aeration in nearly any landscape, application of an organic mulch is more economically and environmentally sustainable. The Bottom Line ⢠Gypsum can improve heavy clay soil structure and remove sodium from saline soils ⢠Gypsum has no effect on soil fertility, structure, or pH of any other soil type ⢠Most urban soils are not improved by additional gypsum ⢠Before adding gypsum or any chemical to a landscape, have soil analysis performed to identify mineral deficiencies, toxicities, and soil character ⢠Adding gypsum to sandy or non-sodic soils is a waste of money, natural resources, and can have negative impacts on plant, soil, and ecosystem health For more information, please visit Dr. Chalker-Scottâs web page at http://www.theinformedgardener.com.

Sandy, M has been online all day, so I'm really late getting here and have not read all the responses to you. That said, When I broke my ankle on the pool ladder 18 months ago, dr didn't tell me I had torn and strained the tendons and ligaments. A year later, after walking in the sand, I was hurting again. My favorite bone dr (not the first one) told me it was the t & l. Still. I have had an ankle brace since Aug. 2007 and have spent some time back in the fracture boot by choice around Thanksgiving. I just quit wearing it, but maybe should still be. He didn't tell me when I could quit. Did they do a bone scan with the radioactive dye? That would show up a stress fracture that might not show up on reg x rays. That's how they found the fracture in my wrist when I fell on ice about 12 yrs ago. My advice it to bind it somehow to help keep it stabil until they know for sure. Lots of ice on it, not under foot! Keep it elevated and continue to take the anti-inflamitories. And let us know what you find out from the MRI. Tami

marie-ndcal I am seeing a orthopedic Dr tomorrow but not the one who did my knee. I am going to one about 1 hr. from us & has been recommended by my reg. Dr. I am sure it has started to heal but the pain has gotten worse over the past 3 weeks. I will do whatever has to be done but I hope it is not surgery.