I'm praying it moves east and misses all.

tj

Harvey, I was just going to post.

Having moved from NY to Florida 5 years ago, this is all new to me. We dealt with blizzards, a hurricane, and even a tornado, we learned to live with it and prepare for long periods without power. A few large fireplaces would give enough heat for some sleeping bags on the floor. Worked for 45 yrs.

Now, this storm has me nervous. I have no idea how well our house will withstand these winds. I've spent the last four days running around buying stuff to protect the things which mean a lot to us. Plus, flashlights, batteries, tuna, chicken in cans and cases of water. We do not have hurricane shutters (never thought about them).

But, I don't know what to do about my orchids. So many hang from trees, others are mounted and hang from the walls. Then there are so many in clay pots and wood baskets.

We decided to stay and take our chances. I need to make a decision tomorrow where to move my plants. I have many 'dirt plants' which are too large for us to move. Not sure what to do about them.

Harvey, are you moving the plants inside the house? I'm worried about insects as I know there are ants running around many of them.

I will bring some of the smaller orchids in and the mounties. I never dealt with this before and don't know how to figure this out.

We are on the west coast about 5 miles from the Gulf. I'm trying to figure out where to move them outside where they will not float away or get blown all over.

I have too many plants!!

Jane

I move the bloomers and favorites in the house. The rest get piled up against an east wall that is protected and not turbulent. I take patio furniture and lay them down next to the orchids. So the orchids are in between the wall and the furniture. All on the floor.

If any widow is breeched you need a plan b. Make arrangements with a few neighbors. The last house standing gets to be the host. Your neighbors may be your only salvation or their salvation. Create a coalition. Bribe them with orchids. And have necessary provisions for a 3 day sleepover all packed and set on ready. You will not be able to gather things if your house is breeched. Get out quick if it is breeched. Or possibly go to a small room like a closet or bathroom. Bring in a mattress. Think in advance. Plan now act later. A tarp could be very important.

And I remember you take in orchids for your neighbors. They already owe you. Let them know...

Jane, when we lived in Florida-Miami Beach- we taped our windows crosswise, on both sides to prevent flying glass should they break during these hurricanes. Since you have no shutters-maybe that would help? Heavy duct tape if you have it or can get it. Could you put some of the non-tree mounted orchids in large trash bags to prevent bugs from escaping into the house? Maybe spray the inside of the bag with insecticide first? Just thinking what I would do...

As I was preparing for this nasty storm I was going through a mental check list. But I got down to honker and I do not know what that means. So does anybody have an idea how to honker down?

Harvey, good to hear your resting your brain a bit and using sense of humor. Honker......impatient driver in traffic or ask a goose! Hunker.....settle in for an extended of time, during times of stress of some sort.

i feel better about your decision to stay in your home. You've given Jane some very good practical tips. Obviously you've done this before. Did you sit out Andrew?

Andrew was coming right at us. and zigged instead of zagged and found homestead. And they did suffer. It became the standard of what products needed to meet. Andrew approved. We had no meaningful issues. My contractor friend who installed my shutters for the 5th or 6th time asked if I had space for him during the hurricane. That gives me comfort if he would ride it out here. He would know. He knows the bones of this house.

I guess there is nothing extra you have to do to honker. It just comes with the territory. But if you didn't honker than what would happen?

Harvey, I once did in NY as you picture. In our case the lawn furniture went flying even though it was sideways and upside down. Some of the chairs wound up in a neighbors yard over an acre away. Not doing that. Brought furniture and benches inside.

i just read taping windows is not advised. It causes large shards of glass and could be fatal. Untaped, the glass breaks in small pieces. Who knows!

Also, keep all interior doors closed to keep pressure lower inside to prevent the roof from lifting

Growing up in Fort Lauderdale, I remember we cracked the windows on the lee side of the house to equalize the inside and outside pressure. The wind blowing over the roof creates lower pressure so the roof starts to lift.

Hunker. Hunker down.

1. to lower the body to the ground by bending the legs The hikers hunkered down under a cliff until the storm passed.

2. to stay in a place for a period of time The leaders hunkered down at a country estate for difficult peace negotiations.

   
   

   Honker down is what hunters cry when they bag a Canada Goose. ;-)

   Stay safe.

   tj
   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

It's important to decide early whether you stay or go. Once the storm moves in it's too dangerous to be outside looking for alternatives, rain isn't the only thing falling out of the sky. If worst comes to the worst then go into the smallest room, usually the bathroom, cover yourself with a mattrass.

It's normal practice to tape up window glass, it doesn't shatter like a car windscreen. If you have a pool there's lots of items that can go in there to prevent them from becoming projectiles, especially outdoor furniture that won't be affected by water. That's a good suggestion to put plants into trash bags to bring inside if necessary. I always calculate on having to stay sheltered about 6 hours to avoid the worst. A fast moving system could be gone quicker. Plants won't worry about being in the dark that long.

Have a battery powered radio, they make a good companion and source of information during the long wait. Don't do as I did once and bought the wrong batteries. Not fun sitting in the dark beside a dead radio with only the sound of howling wind and things crashing into the house.

One thing I did in advance of any situation was to get a set up where I can plug my generator into my electricity mains supply. When the mains supply goes down there's an isolator switch to cut that off and I plug in the generator to run everything that's needed. I believe it's a worthwhile investment to think about.

It's been said before but worth repeating, material goods can be replaced but a life can't. Stay safe.

Harvey and Jane. If you guys by some miracle keep power, ck in and let us know all is well. I see she's moved to the western part of state and winds decreased a bit. Good news for you Harvey.. You are now on the wet side.

jane I don't even know where Sarasota is. Stay safe!

Sarasota is one of the loveliest beach towns in Florida (IMHO). White sand beaches and clear water you can see through to the sandy bottom. Heaven for beach and swimming. It's on the east side, just before the peninsula curves out then inward, south of Tampa. I like the mattress idea, Jane. Get yourselves taken care of first, then worry about the plants.

As Sheila says!

We still will get hurricane force winds but likely a lot less than the earlier predictions. Sarasota is going get the full force of the storm, based on current projections. And there has been a lot of adjustments to the predicted path. Not to long ago it was predicted to go along the east coast of Florida. All quiet now. Have had some hurricane related rain. I think the show starts here Sunday afternoon and goes into Monday...

Sheila, we are on the west side, near the Gulf of Mexico. It's heading towards us. Looks like the eye will move up the center west of the state. I haven't felt this stressed out for a long time. Still moving plants and getting things up off the floor in case of flooding. Couldn't get sandbags, tried all week. All the stores are closed and boarded up. Our house was built in the 80's so I don't hold much hope for it holding up.

they say we will lose power for quite a while (weeks). They say we will probably lose cell service.

Fingers crossed, praying for safety for all my Florida friends. Hang in there!

Jane

Praying for your safety. If your house was built in the '80s it's stood the test of time a storm or two. I hope you managed to get your beautiful angraecum monster inside to a safe spot. I assume you have a dolly!

It appears to be no big deal. The constant shifting of the pathway to the west has taken me away from a severe storm. Knowing what I know now I would not have done the prep work that I did. But not knowing I have no regrets. It will peak around 8 tonight at 65 to 70 and may gust to 90. By Monday afternoon the storm should subside and the effort begins to make things normal. If power goes out it should be restored in a couple of days rather than weeks due to lower winds.

I hope Jane is positioned to safely ride out this storm. I will be waiting and hoping to get good news from Sarasota.

It does not sound good for her area of Fl.. I sincerely hope/pray they evacuated. A report about an hour ago of a man and woman killed in their car as they were trying to get away, this was in the Tampa area. News reporters said " it is too dangerous on the road. Those who didn't evacuate must hunker down and protect themselves as best they can"

In 2003, my husband and I were on vacation in NC when Isabel struck. It was my first time in the ocean several days before the storm, and I got pulled into a rip tide. My husband knew how to save me, thankfully. I learned then, how the force of nature is much stronger than I had ever realized.

After, we were stranded for 3 days without gas for the car, electricity, etc. A local restaurant donated their food to the locals. People really helped each other through the storm.

Two big lessons: stay in a safe area, and help others. Good luck to you all, we are praying.

I had Katrina (New Orleans), Rita (after evacuating NO, I went to Miami & decided to spend some time in Key West), and Wilma (Miami Beach) in 2005. So I yelled at my Miami loved ones who refused to evacuate. Perhaps prematurely.

Harvey, glad you made it. Similar story to mine except we went to a hotel and was safe. Power off, but we went home today and spent the day undoing all the preparations we made to protect the house and contents. We worked all day, no power but it was very windy so we opened the sliders and was comfortable.

Orchids we're okay. A few blew across the yard and some unpotted, but are okay. Pulled out the benches and moved them back. I forget where I had most of them, lol. Hung the mounties and baskets. Still have at least 50 to find places for. They were soaked. Heavy, blowing rains all day and night.

Its over! Man, beast and plant survived. Quite a night, but we decided to spend another night at the hotel hoping the power comes on tomorrow. Once the winds die, it will be too hot without AC.

So glad you are fine and air conditioned!

Jane

Good to hear from both of you! I wish you well with clean up! I know from helping others in the past, that it is a difficult time. I'm glad your homes weren't flooded! So many terrible stories/pictures from the wrath of Harvey. Houston, as well as most all of the smaller coastal cities/communities suffered so much water damage. Very disheartening for the people to see all there possessions destroyed.

Well Jane, the monster came and we are still standing! In our little world this is the best outcome. Hopefully we will not need to prove ourselves too often. But our mettle was tested and we stood the task! Although the challenge was not invited our will and determination brought us to the other side. Well done! And thanks to all for the kind words and encouragement!!!!! Our little story has the best ending....

Yay- glad you all kicked some monster butt!!

Harvey, glad you are okay and got through this storm.

I hope you didn't have too much damage and your orchids weathered the storm!

Cleaning up today, I found a bunch of orchids I had buried under bushes to protect them from the wind before we left. As I started pulling them out, I found many were buried in the sand. Wind must have been strong to bury the pots. As I pulled them out to clean them up and put them up on the benches, one big Catt was covered with sand so much I wasn't sure what it was. I hosed it off and it was full of big yellow buds just opening. Hadn't noticed that when I stuck it in the large bush.

Couldn't find its label, but it must have started to open its sheath over the past three days. Carefully cleaning the buds from the thick sand, I felt such a thrill to see these lovely, yellow buds opening after being buried in sand.

Somehow, it made it all worth while...

Jane

Jane, what a great surprise. The best way for a restart! With a grin on your face! Is your power back on? Things are moving in the right direction here. I removed a big awning before the storm. It is back in place. I moved 300 plants to their proper places. All the shutters are off.

I've ordered material to repair screens in my pool cage. Intentionally cut a few panels to avoid cage collapse. And while I'm doing screen work I'm changing an area on the cage from 25% shade cloth to 50% and expanding the shade cloth another panel. The yard is still a mess. The crew is due here this morning. They are behind as their work is in high demand after the storm.

I lost a black sapote, a tropical fruit tree. My bananas were ready to yield after Mathew from last year. Now they are set back another year. And I have a 50' palmetto tree that was covered with night blooming cerus. A tropical cactus with incredible summer flowers. The plant just let go. Around the base there is 8' high and a 12' diameter of cactus rubble. Mixed in are a few orchids that live on that tree. The amazing thing about tropical climates is most of it will come back. Not the sapote, but all the rest. in a year and a half there will be little if any sign of the storm.

Harvey, sad about the cerus. So lovely. Possible it would come back?

My yard seemed to get hit with wind on the North/west side. Luckily, my Mangos and Plumerias came through but I had Heliconias which look like someone took a hedge clipper to them:

The gate to my fence was blown down.This damage occurred on one side of my yard, N/W. Apparently the wind ripped through this area. I have a large Oak which lost numerous branches.
I had brought some orchids inside. Mostly small ones and mounties. Anything that looked ready to bloom came in. I also brought in Phals which I look after for snowbirds (people who spend the winter in Florida).

My large orchids were placed in various places to protect them (at least I thought they were). I put many inside large shrubs to protect them. Others I made barricades by turning my benches on their sides to protect them from the wind.

I found many blown all over, out of their pots,benches blown all over the yard. Even concrete birdbaths were blown across the yard.

The past two days have been spent setting up benches and trying to figure out what plant is what! I can't remember where I had many placed. My shade cloth was ripped off the cage but the cage is intact.

Its been exhausting. I have too many plants! I realize I can't allow myself to be so overwhelmed with plants and their protection in this area. This whole ordeal has been too difficult.

I am lucky that we did not lose power. Strangely, everyone else seems to be without power. The neighbors across the street have been without power and I have let them use long extension cords to run fans and other things, but its tricky with cars going down the roads. We are the only street with power.

So, we count our blessings. No damage to the house (except the gate) and electricity when the temps have been in the 90's and high humidity.

Tonight I hear another storm is brewing. New York is looking better and better!

Jane

It is exhausting and overwhelming. I do not like dealing with hurricanes. I too think my collection is too big. With 300 plants could mean bending down to the floor 2 or 3 times per plant. I felt it. The expenses have not been totaled yet but it will add up. Things I owe for; replacing an awning I removed to save the frame, repairing screens I cut to save the pool cage, the shutters on and off, and the landscape clean up. In my younger years I could not do all that.

I think in this thread several have mentioned they would rather deal with ice and blizzards. I appreciate that. But when I tell my fellow Floridans almost all of us like the trade. Some say don't brag, more may want to come here. To each their own.

Jane, I hope you stay. If you do a good investment would be to get shutters. The cost protects your bigger investment, your house and your well being.

You were very fortunate not to lose power. In my multiple hurricane experiences my worst part was the days after the hurricanes. It is a large penalty without power. The storm dumped a lot of water to breed mosquitos. The wind killed the screens. And the aftermath is hot and humid. If you open your windows the mosquitos cary you away. Close the widows and sweat to death. Very little quality sleeping makes me tired and grumpy. I feel like I am being punished and have done nothing.

I got lucky this past storm. Only one night of no power. The next day I was invited for a sleep over with food, AC, and pleasant people. I spent the day there sucking up the AC. I got a text from my neighbor at 8:30 that night and went home to AC. This was my best day post hurricane versus other storms. Got lucky!

Glad Harvey and Jane came through ok. We have a single mom and her 3 daughters escape Houston to Arizona and I'm getting some things collected for them. They came with only the clothes on their backs. When I moved about a yr and a half ago, I purposely avoided areas that have hurricanes. I don't think I could deal with it. Everyone thinks the heat in Arizona is bad, but it's only bad in late June and July. I'm close to Sedona, so it's a higher elevation here than Phoenix. It's still hot, but not as bad as Phoenix.

Really I'm quite relieved. I was working from home that day with one work computer and the other with the news on, it was worrisome. CNN broadcast from Naples all day. Glad you all came through well.

Things like this-well, we have wildfires and have had to pack the house up twice, this is one reason I've cut way back on my plants. Of course I'll probably get a little to0 excessive once we get the greenhouse finished up...LOL We've had to make some hard choices about what would fit in our truck and cars (besides ourselves, dogs and cats). So then, I don't get quite as to attached to particular plants anymore, except a couple.

Patti, if you want to IM me-I don't know what sizes you're looking for? It's time to clean out my closet and I'm sure there will be quite a few things. Just let me know and I can get some together into a box.

Best,

Judy

Jane, on the heliconias, just cut them down to the ground. I did that after a storm when they looked like yours. The rhizome is still intact so it will come back fast. Lots of water and lots of fertilizer.

Thanks, Harvey. I know, its really a matter of getting the gardeners to get here and clean up. I told my husband tonight, if they don't show up tomorrow, we will have to do it ourselves. The property is a mess.

We have a bunch of Oaks which dropped lots of large branches. It is so dam hot outside, but I think we will have to work on cleanup this weekend. Got the fence fixed today.

I realize, at our age, I have to downsize the orchids. I have too many and didn't realize it until I tried to save them all. I am going to auction or donate to my Orchid Society the plants I haven't been thrilled with. I will give away all divisions!

At 68 years old, I do not have the strength or energy to go through this again. It has forced me to rethink what I am doing. I have so many favorites and I would never give them up. But there are the others. I have to make some hard decisions this week.

My shade cloth blew off and now I have to find someone to go back up there to replace it. My plants are getting blasted with sun without the cloth. I know many will get burned. There are too many to move around. The sun here is really the enemy. The heat and humidity has been horrible. Doing any work outside is just not possible for me. I find myself getting dizzy spending time out in this horrible heat.

Enough--what will be will be...just wish the weather would break.

Jane

This time of year I schedule demanding work very early in the morning. The coolest part of the day. From 6:30 to 10:30, 4 hours that I could not do any other part of the day. And no more hard work until the next morning.

People with dogs get an extra health benefit. They walk every day. Instead of reducing your collection you could use this as motivation to exercise and stretch. I walk without a dog and stretch. I'm almost 68. My routine allowed me to do the work that I did. At our age it is not about building muscle. It mostly is flexibility. And it is good for our health and longevity. Your doctor can prescribe a physical therapist that is paid for by medicare. Ask for a routine you can do at home.

Then again there might not be a hurricane at your location for 10 years or more.

Glad to hear everyone seems to have gotten through this.

Now that things may have eased up down there:

I'm almost 60 and anything over 4" of snow is a real physical effort for me remove from the driveway and sidewalks, worst was 24" but that was still mostly removed in a single day. So mother nature still throws us northerners some physical labor occasionally.

I agree with the walking, I try to walk 2-3 miles several times a week "in" our local rivers fishing for smallmouth bass. Great exercise and a wonderful way to see and experience nature, makes it enjoyable even when the smallies aren't biting :)

Orchids used to be my main hobby and I had anywhere from 150-250 for many years. Went down to a more manageable 100-125 @5 years ago and that seemed to allowed me to still enjoy them (maybe even more than before) without having all of the effort. Now that I have the opportunity to do a lot of fishing, I have about 75 and may get down to 50 or so by the time I quit culling. All so I can still enjoy both hobbies and not feel the orchids are too taxing.

Jane and Harvey, it's been interesting following your ordeal over these last few weeks. Hang in there!

Bob

Thanks Bob. I'd sure like to take that 2 or 3 mile fishing walk. Sounds like a worth while cause. But Thursday morning I will be chasing snook and tarpon. We will be in a boat. On the St. Lucie River. Which river in on your walk?

I generally fish a river called the Stillwater River in west central Ohio. The entire river is controlled by a state Conservancy, so it is very clean and fairly pristine. Lots of eagles, deer, beaver and such to see. It's amazing how close I can get to animals at times while wading. Several times I've had beaver swim within 5' of me and if you have ever had a 40-50 lb beaver slap it's tail on the water (a warning sign I think) when you were not aware of it being there, you will dirty your drawers :)

I'm serious about the exercise, in the winter I usually walk local nature trails and 2-3 miles going upstream is much more difficult than a 5+ mile hike on hilly trails. It will usually take me 4-6 hours to go 2-3 miles upstream while fishing the entire time.

Bob

That sounds lovely.

Bob, I miss the Fall, Spring and Summer up North. We do not miss the Winter. The heat and humidity in Florida makes it difficult for me to do anything outside for more than 20 minutes. I have a dog which I love to walk but in the Florida summers, we only go out at sunset. Even then I'm soaked in sweat.

I am going to start downsizing my orchids. I must have around the same amount, 250-300. I lost count a long time ago.

I baby sit neighbors and friends orchids when they escape to the North over summer. Just too many to grow well.

I need to downsize to a manageable amount where all get my attention. There are just too many to give proper care.

Orchids in Florida grow twice as fast as up North. They seem to grow year round and bloom on and off out of the old schedules. But they are very prone to poor air circulation and fungal problems. The summers are so heavy, very hot, humid. Everything stays so damp. Becomes tricky to keep them healthy.

I envy your walks, can't do that here until around December/January. The climate here is truly 6 months of rain and humidity and 6 months of no rain at all and cooler nights.

But, it doesn't last long enough! Enjoy your Fall, I'm jealous!

Jane

Jane, when I retired and had no requirements of the clock I decided to start my day depending on the weather. Especially because of the oppressive heat. In the summer I decided to go to bed early to get up early to own the coolest time of the day. Any high output of energy was scheduled early. And any appointments are afternoons. Until it cools. Then appointments are early to preserve the best weather for me and being outside later. The big resistance to this is that people tend to like to start their day the same time regardless of the weather. Habit I guess. I also do evening walks after diner and near or after sunset. Not the coolest time of the day but I have been walking most nights about 45 minutes. Mid summer was hot some of the days but I managed. A lot of people go to the malls to walk. I tried that and it took too much time driving there and back was more time than the walk.

Now the temperature is starting to moderate slightly. The highs are no longer in the 90's. And the lows are in the high 70's, not 80's. Subtle but real. And my evening walks can start a little earlier too. I think the older we get the more important it is to keep moving. Lack of activity among senior citizens is debilitating. In motion equals health. Find a reason to do it, not the other way around. Your health depends on it. Best of luck.

An exercise bike is a good option, and less chance of being run over by an inconsiderate driver. A friend used to read books while she peddled away.

I will do it again. I would not trade no hurricanes for snow and ice for months. One week more or less of aggravation and expense, once every several years, for sub tropical weather. I think most places have some sort of environment or climatic challenges. I'm happy to be here. I would not live here if AC was not available. Then I would want to live in the snow. But AC is a link to humid places. I would visit in the winters if it was no AC.

Best advice- keep moving! Exercise is so important. How about yoga? There are lots of good videos on YouTube. Or is there swimming? When we lived in Arizona, our pool had a spray you could turn on and off. It was refreshing on those over 100 degree days.

Harvey, I was never a morning person. Even when I worked full time, I had to get up a few hours earlier to have coffee and 'wake up.' I was always a night person and seem to have a burst of energy late in the day. Strange, but however I've tried to change my internal clock, it never felt right.

I like working during the day. I still do investment work in the mornings. I like to be on the computer when the market opens. By noon, I have free time but its impossible to do anything outdoors in this heat.

We have a dog who needs to be walked. I walk her before the market opens and later in the afternoon. As the days shorten, I can get her, and me outside as the sun sets.

As a wife, I have shopping, cooking etc. to get done during the day. I try to make appointments after 12:00.

I have not found a way to work on my orchids without getting punished. Going outside late in the day is still hot, humid and I get eaten alive by mosquitoes.

I feel invigorated in cooler weather. I have more energy and tend to forget the weather. Here, in Florida, you cannot forget the weather. I have never spent so much time indoors with the AC as I do here. Even the hottest weather in NY was nothing compared to Florida's summers.

I enjoy the winters here, but dread the summers. If it weren't for the hundreds of plants I maintain, I would find a way to leave here in the summer. I'm trying to figure out a way to that. Not spending another summer here is something I have to find a way to do. There is not a single thing about being in Florida during the summer I can appreciate. Even the pool temps are in the 90's.

I'm glad you can tolerate it. Having spent seven summers here, it is not getting better. You just do not get used to it.

Janee

Since you are a night owl, why not work on the orchids after dark? Wherever the orchids are located outside, set up some pretty lights and set a radio outside and enjoy the evening while tending. My husband is a night owl and that's what we've done.

I will say this- my mom retired and moved to another state. She's never really gotten used to being there and laments having moved. Truth is, there are a lot of really neat things where she moved, they are just different than where she started. So she has spent a lot of time thinking about wishing she were back "home", instead of (my motto) "blooming where you're planted". I learned that after moving to a few places that were beautiful, but very difficult because it wasn't familiar to me. I had to learn to adjust, and by the second move I was able to do it.

But hey- if you really want two places, check into it! Remember you're not trapped, you are free to enjoy, and free to decide. (That thought always helped me sort things out.).

Thanks for the advice, Lily.

Unfortunately, working on the orchids in the dark doesn't work here. I have hundreds of plants, most are hanging under trees or on benches under trees. It would not be possible.

Living in Florida, I miss the seasons. I do not miss the snow and ice. But, I almost feel the heat here in summer is almost equal! It is not just the heat. It is the humidity, the bugs, the feeling there is no air. Its so humid, and omg, the mosquitoes.

My husband and I might get a small place in NY or Ct. for the summers. We are looking into it and whether it will work.

I like my life in Florida. We are both busy and involved and would not permanently move back to NY. But I would enjoy escaping the hot summers in Florida.

Jane

If you go north for the summer you will need someone to be you for your orchids to be cared for. Which means a big down size. Or you can try an early wake up routine. Those are your choices.

An early wake up is not that tough. All you need is a commitment. And an open mind for a week. Before you go to big financial extremes you should give it an honest try. I've learned to enjoy the early morning summers. After an honest try then consider the drastic downsize...

We went through a time where we had 2 places because our house wouldn't sell so we were stretched across the country. I ended up giving my plants to a good friend (who nicely sends me pics when they bloom), but I had trouble with upkeep on both places. Lack of sleep. I felt like it was always a frenzy to get things done because I would be leaving to go back and forth. I was so happy when we settled into one because all our stuff was together and I didn't have to search for things. (I did that alone, because my husband was working.). And now we have 67 plants that I get to see every day! And I don't have to worry that the security alarm is going off at the other place, while I'm 2000 miles away. (I had always thought having two places would've been fun, but my situation was not. Hired helpers would've been wonderful)

The summer early mornings have become special to me. Since I retired I manage the clock by the weather. I like outside. I wake around 5 am. On the computer and waiting for the newspaper. Eat breakfast and read the paper. By dawn I am out the door. Any and all work is scheduled then. I have 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours of mild workable weather. My new trick is sometimes take a short mid day nap. Especially if I have night activities. I miss nothing. If there is TV that interests me at night I record it. Anybody with little or no clock commitment can easily do this and enjoy it. But you will fail if you have prejudice. Prejudice means to pre judge. Be free of that, then doing this is easy...It becomes preferable.