HappyDay: Shifting Roles to Meet a New Reality

Casey O’Neill is a cannabis and food farmer in Mendocino County who has been writing newsletters about his efforts to provide sustainable produce and marijuana. We feature his column once a week.

     Something in my back is out, in the upper right side in front of my shoulder blade.  It’s not the first time that it has happened, forcing me to slow down, but also to contemplate the inevitable effects of aging.  At 38 my body is in good shape, strong and capable after many years of manual labor.  Injuries like this are rare but before a couple years ago had never occurred.

       Muscle pain is funny in that it can move around.  I pulled something in my back when we were spreading compost in the middle of December.  It was sore but not too painful and it got better by the end of the month.  As we got into January I found myself struggling with carpal tunnel syndrome in my right arm and hand, which went away earlier this week but appears to have now returned in the form of renewed back pain.

       I remember Pops talking about how life in the building trades for him was divided into two periods, “before I hurt my back, and “after I hurt my back”.  It’s a milestone that appears as one of the difficult crossroads in life, an experience of being debilitated and unable to do the normal tasks

      A life built around the physical use of the body faces an inevitable transition over time, a changing of methods and practices.  As we become aware of the fundamental limits that we face, this changes our perspectives on life.  I begin to see that aging is part of that process of change.  Though I hope to have many years of good work left, I know that my body has already passed the high water mark of physical strength and energy.  May the ebb be slow and gradual like a wave on a soft, sandy beach.

     I am learning to care for my body, trying to maintain a regimen of stretching and supplements.  I’m trying to make more time to cook (and to be more efficient so my cooking requires less time).  This is the roasting season, whole chickens or big chunks of meat surrounded by lots of carrots and potatoes and topped with plenty of garlic, onions and shallots.

      Roasting is great because the prep work doesn’t take very long and then we can get several meals out of one dish.  We use a deep clay Romertopf with a matching lid that gives about 7 inches of height when covered.  Any roasted meat and veggies turns into an amazing breakfast the next morning with fried eggs over the top.  Once a bigger meal has been made it’s super easy to reheat it, fry it or double it up with additions of sauteed greens or rice.

       I’m learning how to stretch food and how to make use of different parts.  The bones from a chicken carcass make a couple gallons of good bone broth for drinking and for making soups, rice and other savory dishes.  The layer of fat on a pork roast becomes lard for frying home fries and carnitas from the pork roast and potatoes.  It’s all about browning and caramelization; we use cast-iron skillets and it’s easy to get a nice crisp layer on the bottom.

      Learning the timing of frying takes a little practice, but it isn’t too hard.  I used to go by smell, it’s easy to tell when the food has begun to brown, and also if I leave it for too long and it starts to burn.  Like any practice, after a while you go by the feel of it.  Like playing music or hitting a baseball, you learn to know when the moment is right.  I use the leftover fat and juice in the roasting pan to pour into the skillet right at the end, softening up any browned meat or veggies and spreading the flavor around.

      Like cooking, farmwork is a labor of love.  We tend to the land and to our loved ones through the efforts we make as we move through our days.  When we face injury or sickness, we are forced to change our plans, shifting the roles and ministrations to meet the new reality.

      Physical work is addicting because of the mindstate it engenders.  When we engage in effort our bodies release endorphins and happy brain chemicals in response to completion of tasks.  One of the hardest things about an injury is the inability to get into the flow-state while working because the body can’t move without thought and caution.  I’m working on my posture and trying to be better about how I go through the activities of farming and other efforts in life.  I’m learning how to sit at the computer without slouching.

      In weightlifting they teach you that form is more important than weight.  Learn to do it right before trying to do it heavy.  Though I know this lesson, too often I have sacrificed form for expediency or inexperience.  As the seasons pass, I come to recognize that in relation to longevity, form is, indeed, everything.  Like all things in life, when I show respect I receive respect in turn.  Learning to respect my body is a journey that I am still working my way through, looking for the lessons along the way.  As always, much love and great success to you in your journey!

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13 Comments
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Ella
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Ella
3 years ago

Sniveling on the internet as your paying the county to wipe out the community!!!! Nobody wants to hear a squid, sellout whining!!!!!!!

Yeah,sure
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Yeah,sure
3 years ago
Reply to  Ella

Looks like you’re doing a bit of sniveling yourself.

thesteve4761
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thesteve4761
3 years ago
Reply to  Ella

Yet here you are.

Matthew Meyer
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Matthew Meyer
3 years ago

When it comes to posture and movement, it’s far too easy to see as “normal” dysfunctional practice. Then we become used to bad form, and it’s painful to adopt good form. But anyone who’s tried to learn to play steel-string guitar knows that it hurts a lot to form chords in the beginning, but it gets better and easier with time. I figure we shouldn’t expect any different in learning to use our bodies, despite the fact that we think we already know how to do it.

Another morning-after meal with eggs that’s good this time of year is soup in a skillet, with the eggs poached in it. Good stuff!

Lynth
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Lynth
3 years ago

I have had a shoulder injury leading to wrist pain and distention for several years. In the fourth year, I really sought physical therapy. I would highly recommend a PT routine for you in between your sessions of work, to keep your shoulder in the right position. Just because you’re compelled to do something in the world, your inner life and body are crucial to your long term success. If you seek proper posture and get expert advice on your specific injury, you’ll diminish its effects on your life.
Also – how often do you eat eggs (with a runny yolk) or raw nuts or avocadoes or fish? All sources of ESSENTIAL oils your body cannot otherwise produce, that will reduce your inflammation and increase your joint mobility. Your bone broth idea is right on!!! Drink it every day if you can.
But it sounds to me like you’re doing activities that are increasing your pain. Really try to see yourself within activity and see where you’re putting your hands and shoulder. Try to maintain a place with no discomfort whenever possible. Good luck!

Kim Chamberlain
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3 years ago

Try a massage.
http://www.akashabodysmith.com

I help people get back to their lives.

local observer
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local observer
3 years ago

it sounds like the disc is bulging between C5 and C6. neck problems cause shoulder and arm pain. if your index finger tip is numb? you likely have a herniated disc at that location. deep tissue therapy is the best.

For sure
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For sure
3 years ago

Take up restorative yoga…it truly is restorative! It will give you extra decades of strength& flexibility.

Too Young for Back Aches
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Too Young for Back Aches
3 years ago

Damn, only 38, and crying about aches and pains like your 58… myself, being a farmer, builder, scholar, entrepreneur, historian, athlete, hiker, surfer, kayaker and avid yoga and meditation practitioner, I would guess that you over worked some cold and weak muscles. Maybe it is time to focus on stretching and relaxation exercises, your way to young to think you are passing into old age… perhaps a good soak at Harbin Hot Springs is in order Casey. There is a great 115 degree soak pool as well as a 40 degree cold plunge. A good soak would be to go back and forth between hot and cold getting as hot as possible, then freezing the body down to shivering temps, then back again to hot. Also check out the “Chi Machine”, as well as get yourself a bottle of BioFreeze. It will loosen your muscles using sports medicine and natural menthol. Your way too young to be belly aching about a sore back, time to stretch, warm up and self heal. Chances are that if you own an old toyota 4×4 that the problem is probably your seat.
Hope these offer some remedies. Hot water bottle and cold compress is the best way to heal up any sciatica before it reaches your legs and calves. Happy Healing. Bless

Casey O'Neill
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Casey O'Neill
3 years ago

Thank you all for the kind words of advice! Definitely been thinking about a Wilbur run. Feeling much better with the last few days of light duty and sunshine. Much love!

VMG
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VMG
3 years ago

Take a long athletic sock, like white cotton. Add 2-3 pounds of uncooked rice. Tie the top off, just knot it tight.

Throw it in the microwave, 2-3 minutes. Now lay on it, with the heat directly under the pain.

As you warm the spot, you will feel the spasm release, takes 15 minutes or so. If the sock is too hot, put a towel over it, or wait 5 minutes. The rice-sock will stay warm for 25-30 minutes, and you can always warm it again.

A rice sock will last 25 years, and, I’ve been using mine since the 90’s, when I learned this technique from a healer…

Massage is always a great way to go, if you can afford it! A rice sock can do what a physical therapist often can’t, and it’s pretty much free.

You could always get a desk job, which also causes pain…

Casey O'Neill
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Casey O'Neill
3 years ago
Reply to  VMG

Awesome thank you!

Smallfry
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Smallfry
3 years ago

The lovely profession of farming. Just another day at the office lol.. It can be a stinky, smelly, hot, then cold and drenched, often thankless mess. The only thing that’s worse, would be given it up. Am I right?
The thing that has helped me the most.. is an awesome Chiropractor. With a side of massage now and then. And what I have been told from them is to ICE ICE ICE.. Think about it. The muscles are inflamed..cooling can help.. it’s not easy to do on cold days.. but it’s a tremendous help when the muscles flair. Yoga and stretching always helps.
Also juicing turmeric/ginger/raw honey …wheatgrass shots with fresh cannabis leaf is amazing.
Cal/Mag in the evening helps the muscles relax..And U know what they say, couple joints a day keeps the Dr. at Bay.. A little time for some Jazz and/ or some relaxing music w/wine or…beers to relax is good for the mind. At least it is for mine. Jazz and Joints time. Gotta have it..
I have also switched from oven roasting to an instant pot that will cook a full chicken from frozen in an hour. Super easy.. just my newest little life hack. Nothing really beats an oven roasted bird.. but sometimes convenience wins.
Anyway.. GLuck Casey and fam.. but still in the famous words of legal lettuce.. FUCK LEGAL!!