LL, I haven't been participating in Thursday Teas altho always have tea every day. Sorry you're having snow still, spring is slow coming here but no more snow, for which I am very grateful. Always love to see pics of your tea trays and your garden, Schoolhouse! Thanks for the inspiration. Valree3, posting pics on this MB only *seems* difficult, once you learn how it's easy. I usually post from my "Photobucket" account. If you do it this way have your Photobucket album window open to the pic as well as the thread window, then move your cursor over the pic you want to post that is in your Photobucket and several codes will show below the pic (or to the side if you have the pic in it's own window). Click on the HTML code and it will automatically copy. Then past that in the thread message window where you want it to post. Leave a space above and below the pic code in your message as it looks nicer. Always check to make sure the pic shows when you preview your message. If the pic doesn't show it means you haven't posted the correct code and you can correct in the preview window and try again. The other way to post pics on this message board is to use "TinyPic". You upload your pic directly from your computer, then copy the HTML for Websites code, paste that in your forum post, and it will show in your post. There is lots more info on 'how to do stuff' on this forum at the link below. Give it a try and you'll easily learn how to do it and we can all enjoy your pics! :-) If you have problems just ask and you'll get help. Here is a link that might be useful: How to do stuff on garden web posts

Today was my last hurrah for leaves, they are all finally down and the remnants of Ida are headed this way tomorrow morning. I'm exhausted, I ache, and I wish I had a hot tub. Clean sheets are on the bed, and after a hot shower I'm climbing in! I like the idea of your to-do lists. Marking something off as done has always given me satisfaction and confirms that I'm not just spinning my wheels. Barbara

in the winter I wear multiple layers, because I am usually cold if I'm just sitting around... the second I get up and start doing things (or for an hour or 2 after I shower) I am nice and comfortable. one reason I like to keep the house cool is I can't stand all the heat in the house- it dries our nasal passages- one of my kids was prone to nose bleeds- and as I'm getting older, my hands get so dry if I use too much heat!! so I wear layers and I have warm throws on the FR couch that we use if I'm sitting, reading or watching tv. but, oddly enough, I get SO hot at night-- I keep our bedroom as cold as I can get it and still get hot-- it's getting worse as I get older too. I have always liked a cold room to sleep in and turn the heat way down at night and the air way down at night in the summer... but i keep it pretty warm in the house during the day in the summer because I usually wear shorts and always think it's crazy to put a sweater on in the house during the summer! I often freeze and need a sweater in restaurants or theatres in the summer! I love spring and fall-- don't like it too cold or too hot and really don't like high summer time humidity... I run really hot if I'm active or when I sleep and cold if I just sit around! since I'm home the most, I program the thermostats!

Frances, I can speak from experience on this as my climate is frequently like that with high and low temps. I get the shriveled leafs and blind shoots which stink because it takes a couple of weeks (wasted) to determine what's a bind shoot or a healthy bud-forming one. This past week, I have been pruning off the blind shoots and freeze-burned growth. Interestingly, this year I left some of the freeze-burned growth on the canes for a week or so until I saw healthy new growth. I then pruned off above the new growth and the new part is now really taking off. I don't know about the once blooming roses. I only have one, Leda and it was not damaged this year. Thankfully! Maybe someone who has experience with once bloomers will offer advice. It is soooo discouraging for those of us here on the forum that work so hard on our gardens. I totally get it. I'm trying to be better and let nature take her course, but it is really hard! However, I think nature will surprise you and rebound, and your garden will come back with lots of new growth and color. Keep your chin up!