It gave me a chuckle, Janis. I've been messing with computers since 1966 when I took my first course in it, on the big mainframes at our local University. Took a couple more courses in programming down the road in the early seventies. I remember when everyone was WAITING FOR WANG! The vision for PCs was there much earlier than today's kids could imagine. I laughed at Lilo's Luddite comments. I am pretty darned close to one, but I don't cut my nose off to spite my face. I'm fine with technology if it fulfills a purpose for me and then I don't have any problems wrapping my mind around it. I have some really deep seated personal agendas when it comes to the disposable mindset, however. It really rubs me the wrong way to have perfectly good machines sent to the boneyards because the technology behind them has gone defunct. I guess because sometimes that technology doesn't necessarily do a job better. Before Skype, I used to use ICQ. I knew how to use TDY terminals to keep in touch with my deaf friends. I had a cable way back in 1970 twenty years before they became available here, and as soon as digital phones came down the block, I had one. I sat here counting the number of computers I've had over the last twenty years, and I think I am up to six PCs, my first one custom-built before they became available in box stores. However, I just bought my first laptop and had to ask my kids how to turn the danged thing off. LOL. I do know older people who refuse to learn anything electronic. It can bite them in the butt, it can. But, so much of the new stuff coming down the block are toys and expensive ones at that. Fine, if you have the time and money to play. My DD and I have speculated about whether my father would have gotten into computers had he lived past his 81st birthday. We both concluded that he'd have the best systems out there and have them figured out forward and backward.

Hey Sherry My roses are much younger than yours and most are in 1 gal. pots. The potted ones are starting to bloom: Madame Schwartz, Archduke Charles and Duchesse de Brabant are blooming and several other are in bud. Blooming in the ground are: Sawyer Plot Tea and LaMarne. Mrs. B.R.Cant has bloomed most of the winter one bloom at a time. Belinda's Dream and Carnation, my 1-2 year oldsters have also bloomed all winter, many blooms at a time. I am several hours south of you and had just a brush with 32 degrees a couple of times. Hauled every pot into the shed several times along with orchids into the house. Apparently this is the coldest winter in 30 years here (we just moved here last year) Wouldn't ya know :-) Hope we get a nice spring season before the brutal heat returns. Denise

Are you planting anything, Julie? Cindeea, great to hear. Folks, I'd like to read about what folks are growing and planting on the main page, but I'm afraid to start a thread because I do know that there is a separate post for seed starting and growing, but they don't seem to be in Florida. I think they're all under lights in frost land. Sharing in the excitement of other people's plantings is a vicarious joy. And simple is fine by me. Take for example California Poppies - I've never grown them and can't remember ever seeing them. Very easy from seed by all accounts, but they didn't sprout for me last spring. When they came up when I October sowed, folks two counties over heard me exclaiming "I've got poppies!" All I have are tiny little poppy plants these many months later, yet I'm still every bit as excited about that. YOU are a tease, Cindeea. "got more seeds today" Uh-huh. I'm not interested in what seeds you got. No, not me. Probably nobody else either. No, I'm pretty sure that wouldn't be even remotely.... OK, so that didn't fool ya. What did you get? Huh? Huh? What? Come on!! What?

When I first saw all the other gorgeous entries I felt a little like my green caterpillar surrounded by all the beautiful butterflies! I love all the interpretations and everyone did an amazing job! I'm so honored just to be in this group and thank you Marti for coming up with such a fun idea that really brought out a lot of creativity and individuality from everyone. And THANKS to all who voted for me! Your support and kind words mean so much! --Amy