Many years ago I had a house full of growing plants. Over the years we got rid of all of them. You can’t be in Florida seven months at a time and expect inside growing greenery to survive.

Even outside plants were challenged by our absences. In Michigan, we did ok with outside geraniums and perennials like hostas. In Florida, while we were up north, the hot dry summers killed a lot of the plantings we tried outside. We finally settled on a few durable plants that survived well despite Florida’s heat. Poinsettias generally grow fine for a few years. I also planted a miniature rose which is doing fine. One year we tried pansies but they croaked in a hurry.

We had an inside the house potted palm which we tried to leave inside, but it was nearly dead when we got back. John planted it outside and boy, did it grow! He moved it to a place under our master bedroom window. Located there, it’s been thriving and expanding and looks lovely. He also planted a couple Michigan house plants outside our Florida condo and they are now the size of trees.

Last month I bought a potted palm for my great room, but apparently I don’t do well with inside palms so it’s nearly dead. Today I took pity on it and moved it outside and will plant it as soon as I have time (or I’ll get Mark to do it).

I’ve also killed a variable philodendron (considered extremely hearty but some white fuzzy looking bugs killed it) and some Christmas cactus which didn’t make it under my care. My orchids do ok until the blossoms fall off. (I’m trying to keep them going for possible second blooms by putting them on the lanai.) My hanging geraniums on my patio only lasted about a month but last week I replaced them with drought resistant spider plants (which I haven’t killed yet). Today I bought a lovely Norfolk Island Pine. I hope it survives my care-giving.

I hate to keep buying more, but if that’s what it takes to have growing plants in my place, I will.

My lower back has been really causing me problems. I am fine when seated, but when I walk any distance or stand for any length of time, I’m miserable.

The other day I used a shopping cart in Home Depot and put some of my weight on the cart. I was without pain. The shift of the weight to the cart lifted me enough so I was comfortable.

After that experience, I decided that, when I know I will be walking a distance, I will use a “walker” with wheels and a seat. I got one yesterday. Haven’t tried it yet, but I’m sure it’ll free me. I don’t want to rely on a walker, but there are times (like when Kelly and I go to the Christmas lights experience in Sarasota) when I know I’ll be on my feet for an extended period. I’m taking the walker with me.

Another place that the worker will be an asset is Busch Gardens. I know how far you have to walk there. A walker or a motorized cart will be mandatory.

I’m having problems with my websites. For years I’ve used a FTP program which suddenly won’t let me in.

That’s why there’s a lovely sunset as the post before this one. It’s a test.

I’ve been trying to figure out how to get into my sites (including dulcimers.com, dulcimers.biz, michclub.com and sharons-blog.com.) The sunset photo was uploaded a different way.

I will figure everyrhing out but at least I found a work-around by going directly to Bluehost (my website provider). I can use the services provided by Bluehost to transfer files to the sites. It’s just more cumbersome.

This morning I received a message I’d written ten years ago. As was intended, it was delivered ten years later.

The following is the email from the past, composed on October 06, 2009. It is being delivered from the past through FutureMe.org

Dear FutureMe,

John has just been diagnosed with a serious health condition idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (usual interstitial pneumonia) and I’m scared to death. I want so much to have him with me forever. At this point he isn’t acknowledging how serious this is. The predictions aren’t good.

I hope all of the statistics are wrong. I hope he’ll have dozens of years ahead of him. He’s only 71 and he’s always been so healthy. I’m trying to be prepared for whatever the future holds. But I’m so frightened. I hope I handle everything well. It’s hard be optimistic, and his denial makes it especially tough.

I think I have figured out my finances enough so that doesn’t worry me. But being alone. Handling everything by myself is scary. John’s my rock.

Life with John has been beautiful. We’ve had about 30 years together and I have loved them all.

It’s a tough time! I’m sending this message ten years out. I hope he’s with me when I receive it. I’ll be 77. I hope he’ll be 81. He’s such a wonderful guy.

Will we be living in Saginaw, in Florida, in a nursing home? Will I have my mom’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and be oblivious to everything? Will we still have our wonderful life?

Sharon

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ….
Enough money within her control to move out…
And rent a place of her own
even if she never wants to
or needs to…
Something perfect to wear if the employer
or date of her dreams wants to See Her in an hour…

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE …
A youth she’s content to leave behind….
A past juicy enough that she’s looking forward to
retelling it in her Old Age….

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .
A set of screwdrivers,
a cordless drill, and a black lace bra…
One friend who always makes her laugh…
And one Who lets her cry…

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ….
A good piece of furniture not previously owned
by anyone else in her Family…
Eight matching plates,
wine glasses with stems,
And a recipe for a meal that will make
her guests feel Honored…
A feeling of control over her destiny…

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
How to fall in love without losing herself..
HOW TO QUIT A JOB,
BREAK UP WITH A LOVER,
AND CONFRONT A FRIEND WITHOUT
RUINING THE FRIENDSHIP…
When to try harder…
And WHEN TO WALK AWAY…

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
That she can’t change the length of her calves,
The width of her hips,
or the nature of her parents..
That her childhood may not have been perfect…
But it’s over…

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
What she would and wouldn’t do for love or more…
How to live alone…
Even if she doesn’t like it…

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
Whom she can trust,
Whom she can’t,
And why she shouldn’t take it personally…

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
Where to go…
Be it to her best friend’s kitchen table…
Or a charming inn in the woods…
When her soul needs soothing…

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
What she can and can’t accomplish in a day…
A month…
And a year…

Written by Pamela Redmond Satran

(Note: When I first got married, my great grandmother gave me a small red tool chest with a screw driver, a hammer, and a pair of pliers. She said every woman needed those items to avoid borrowing my husband’s. Actually my tools were frequently missing because my husband would confiscate them for his use.)