Battle of Bended Knee

Sounds like a war with the white man on the reservation, “battle of bended knee.”  What it is really about is the battle of old age against my bent knee on the ground. 

Many years ago when I first became a homeowner and had to do my own yard work, I wandered through the gardening section of Wal-Mart in search of some clippers.  I remember seeing for the first time a pad to kneel down on while gardening.  It was green, so it would match the grass I guessed.  I actually laughed out loud.  I’m kind of insensitive sometimes so it struck me as being funny.  “Who the heck would need a pad just to kneel on the ground?”

I thought the ground was soft enough padding.  Heck, I slept on it in my pup-tent with no padding, I did lots of yard work and other activities without needing a pad, I could even drop down on that hard floor of the Wal-Mart without needing a pad to land on.  Needing a pad to kneel down on just seemed funny to me.  Today I am much more sensitive, understanding, and wise.  Today I would not think it was so funny to see a pad to kneel on.

Today my knees are killing me.  Yesterday I went out and photographed the New Jersey Folk Festival.  The festival had three separate stages and lots of other activities going on as part of the annual “AG day” at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.  I spent most of my day running from one stage to another, quickly dropping down on my knees to take a few shots, then running on to the next spot to drop down on my knees again so I wouldn’t block anyone’s view.

Today I went out to photograph some flowers in the garden.  That was when I first felt the sharp sting in my knee that felt like a huge needle.  It happened as I was kneeling down to get a nice low angle on a tulip.  I was so unprepared for the sudden pain that shot into my knee that I screamed loudly as I quickly pulled my knee out from under me. 

I continued the scream all the way down until my face landed in the dirt.  Naturally, there were people around who turned to look when they heard a loud scream.  They got a good laugh when they saw me dive into the dirt.  The 3 or 4 year-old kid seemed to think it was the funniest.  I think I may have scared them.  They muttered some things in Spanish and hurried away with concerned looks, like they weren’t quite sure what else a lunatic who dives into the dirt is capable of doing.

Now that I am over the hump and on the downslide of life, I am in agreement with those who say getting old sucks.  It’s bad enough if you have normal medical issues, but when things (like knees) start hurting for no reason other than you used it, sucking is the first word that comes to mind.  If you are reading this and too young to understand, try to at least remember it because some day you will understand. 

I know muscles can get weak and out of shape from non-use and then you really feel it if you suddenly use them too much.  But knees?  I don’t think there is an exercise to get your knees in shape for kneeling on them.  If there is, please let me know because right now it feels like the thick needle is still sticking in them.

After today’s incident in the garden, I was thinking of the next festival I plan to go photograph.  The Red Bank Jazz & Blues Festival is coming up the first week in June.  On my way home from today’s photographic and dirt eating adventure, I stopped at a local sports store and purchased a pair of kneepads.    Not the kind of pad with a handle that you carry out to the garden.  I needed something more flexible because I have enough photo equipment to carry.  I got the kind you pull up over your leg, like if you were a wrestler. 

They were out of black, so I had to get a bright red kneepad.  Obviously comfort is still more important to me than style.  It wasn’t until driving home that I remembered it would probably be warm for the Red Bank festival in June so I’ll have to wear shorts.  I should look pretty awesome with red pads under my shorts.  I might as well make up a special T-shirt that says something like, “Go ahead and laugh, I can take it.” 

Now that I’m ready, I can’t wait for the next battle of the bended knee!

I’ll give you two samples below of “shots from bended knee” that I spoke of in this blog entry.  As soon as I have time, I’ll post my Folk Festival photos on my website so either check back or make sure you’re on the mailing list so you get notified.