Have Pen and Camera, Will Travel: May 2026

#237 Parkinson’s, Special Garden Shop, and Photos

Arrowhead GC, Molalla, OR

While traveling in Scotland, playing and researching for our golf books, we discovered [Sure. like we were the first to notice.] an abundance of interesting farm shops. Establishments like Gloagburn Farm Shop (Tibbermore near Crieff), Balgove Larder (Strathtyrum Farm, St Andrews), Househill Farm Shop and Cafe (near Nairn), and the Storehouse farm-to-table restaurant (south of Dornoch) all became regular stops for Anne and I as we traveled the country. We were glad to find that we had a similar shop in our area. But before I detail Bauman’s Farm and Garden I want to share some more information about Parkinson’s Disease, the fastest growing neurological condition in the US.

For photos in this post, besides the photos of Bauman’s, I’m starting with some golf photos—since I’m constantly lifting my head on a shot when I’m supposed to keep my head down, I thought I’d show what I’m looking at when I lift my head. Then I’ll end the post with a short photo surprise.

Either Godzilla or a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle over the GC

Parkinson’s and the Gold Standard Treatment

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a movement disorder where the best treatment is often movement. Exercise can be the best aid to fighting some of the major seen and unseen symptoms of the disease. I am currently in a program called SPEAK OUT! where I am learning exercises to strengthen my voice and swallowing muscles—loss of speaking ability and volume is a very common PD condition if not controlled. But the Gold Standard pharmacological treatment of major symptoms is with dopaminergic drugs designed to help produce more dopamine or maintain the dopamine left in the brain—by the time most people are diagnosed with PD we have already lost up to 80% of our movement controlling dopamine in our brains. In fact, one of the clinical diagnostic tests to see if someone has PD is to see if symptoms respond to Levodopa treatment.

In my case I talked to my family doctor about a list of things that were happening to me such as slowness of movement, freezing (not being able to move), resting tremors in both hands, and more. The list indicated PD, so the doctor put me on a regime of Carbidopa-Levodopa, one pill three times a day. I responded well, so “Welcome, Bob, to the world of Parkinson’s!” There is no evidence that taking C-L (the Carbidopa is an anti-nausea drug to help tolerate the Levodopa) has any affect on the progression of PD, but it does help reduce symptoms. I now live pill-to-pill and can definitely tell when my C-L kicks in (about 20 minutes after taking it) and when it’s run out (about three hours after taking it). Eating, driving, exercise, working on writing projects are now controlled by my pattern of taking Carbidopa-Levodopa. For me right now this pattern is 1-1/2 pills at 7:00AM, 10:30AM, and 2:00PM, and one pill at 5:30PM and just before bed at about 10:30PM. And this pattern will change as the the progression of the disease advances.

But nothing is simple with Parkinson’s. Sinemet (another name for C-L) works for now, but it will eventually stop being as effective at controlling symptoms. When that happens I’ll go into a whole new system of controls that I have yet to explore. In the meantime, I also have to deal with the side effects of Levodopa which comes with it’s own laundry list of problems—nausea and vomiting, orthostatic hypertension (drop in blood pressure), psychiatric effect (like hallucinations and anxiety), constipation (one of the most common and troublesome), daytime sleepiness, impulse control difficulties, and dyskinesia (abnormal movements or gait). As I’ve said before, Parkinson’s Disease is an adventure—not an enjoyable adventure and one I’d wish on no one—but an adventure all the same.

A Near Farm Store

Bauman’s Farm and Garden (12989 Howell Prairie Road, Gervais, OR, 503-792-3524, www.baumanfarms.com near Woodburn ) has been a family farm since 1895. A small market was started on the land called Howell Prairie in 1988. The farm store grew bit by bit: first vegetables, then flowers, and a small bakery. Now Bauman’s Farm and Garden has a large bakery specializing in donuts, fruit pies, and pastries using Oregon’s own Marionberry. The store also has a large food store for produce, fruits and vegetables, and gourmet foods—the mushroom steak sauce is one of our favorites—along with the sweets, of course. The green house shop has flowers, plants, and local advice. The garden center has a broad array of edible gardening, hanging baskets, annuals, roses, trees and garden supplies. When you want a break from shopping, or to fortify yourself before shopping, visit the deli/coffee shop with sandwiches, soups, sweets, wines and ciders.

Nice Farm Shop lunch, but bad photographer's timing. Sorry.

Bauman’s hosts several special events during the year including Spring Open House (March), Gardenpalooza (April), Harvest Festival (Sept/Oct), among others. We miss visiting the farm stores of Scotland, but find that we have one at least as enjoyable and closer to home in Bauman's.