All morning, I have been nursing a sick computer. Last time I took my laptop for repair it cost over $200.00. I don’t have extra dollars… so spent hours running various Microsoft programs conveniently installed on my computer. Hopefully, I corrected the malady?! Hopefully….

Frankly, it makes this little old lady “sick” when something happens to the computer. I spend so much time with it!!

Postscript, 9:50 PM: “More time than money” is an expression I identify with. “Exercise in futility” explains my day!! Hours and hours… and the problems are not resolved!! (It took hours to get to this message and add this short paragraph!! Seriously!!)

Postscript, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015, 11 o’clock: It has been five hours of struggle and frustration!! Yes, I sat down to the computer at six o’clock this morning. 

Burr, it’s cold outdoors!! Furthermore, I’m cold indoors!! ~~  “Tommy” (tomato plant) and Cape Honeysuckle are back in the living room of my trailer home. I’ll cover some outside plants and hope that will be sufficient.

Ground hog’s Day; Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow so six more weeks of Winter.

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Postscript, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015, 9 o’clock: The outside temperature just inched from 39 to 40 degrees. I can’t seem to get warm inside my trailer home. Burr!! ~~ I see (through the windows) that bird feeders are empty. I’m reluctant to go out and fill feeders.

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Postscript, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015, 9 o’clock, forty-four degrees outdoors. Note: Outside inside. Look, the Cape Honeysuckle has a new bloom.  Plants are thriving indoors?!

Our club members gathered for a picture after the dance Saturday night. The callers are on the stage behind us. According to an email message–with this picture–the event was a success.

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Received with an email message. Thanks Marge.

This is heartwarming!!

The weekend belongs to our square dance club major annual event (yes, Friday, Saturday & Sunday). Blog communication is limited to this brief note. Visit an earlier publication for pictures of my square dance wardrobe. I’ll also wear that apron (click to enlarge… so you can read the humorous inscriptions).

Before the sun comes up, before I attack projects in the yard, I’ve been deleting old email messages. Found this… and must share The Beauty of Mathematics. Isn’t this awesome??

Thanks Nancy!!

Eleven o’clock and we didn’t see the sun until 10:40. This morning I drove to my storage unit and retrieved the many new planters stored there. I’m trying to “plan ahead” and prepare for the plants that may arrive soon (via FedEx or United Parcel). I arranged and rearranged planters trying to place them so aesthetically attractive–and best usage. The Cape Honeysuckle and two Mandevilla plants need something large. I want the Butterfly bush to have room to expand. This planter is probably larger than necessary for its first season?! (Repeating something I’ve mentioned before: Management won’t let me plant in the yard. I must limit my gardening to planters.)

Tentatively, I think the new Mosquito plant will go in the tan-color planter next to the rain barrels. I’m undecided about where to plant the Strawberry plant. See my earlier post titled Gardening Vicariously. And the blue Geraniums…? Perhaps in hanging baskets? So many decisions!! 

Soon, need to purchase many large bags of planter soil. Last year’s soil (in planters) will be dumped/spread along the berm so Periwinkle can grow and cover that ugly (despicable) white pipe.  (I have over a dozen Periwinkle [ground cover plants] from a friend’s garden. I’m defiant and will put Periwinkle in the ground!! If I’d had a choice… I would have spent the money for a berm that harmonized with my yard.) ~~ I really would like to expand the patio with eleven more paving blocks (in the corner beyond the rain barrels). ~~ Lots to do; this should keep me busy for a few weeks!! ~~ Oh, I’m planning for a veggie garden, too!!

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Three o’clock, same day, same obsession. Nap time; I’ve been up since 4:30.

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FYI: I provide lots of good drainage for my plants and I elevate planters so they aren’t sitting in dirt. Healthier plants, and planters are more attractive?!?!

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Last season, the two Mandevilla climbed the tree. This season (and thereafter) they are limited to the trellis. This season (and thereafter) the tree belongs to a Trumpet Vine.

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Yes, I’m “coo-coo” about birds!! All this work (and expense) to attract Hummingbirds.

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Click each picture to enlarge them for more detail.

Remember my series of blog messages about TracFone Nightmare!!? Perhaps you, too, had problems?? Here is a website where we can file a claim for reimbursement.

…according to the NBC Today Show; Savanna interviewed an Island official.

So I searched the Internet for additional details. Living in the 21st Century, we have so many conveniences!! Repeat: “…so many conveniences!!” Eking out a living, enduring hardship–in the 16th and 17th Century–was routine for my Nantucket ancestors (listed alphabetically: Coffin, Coleman, Gardner, Folger, Macy, Paddock, Sears, et al).

In 1992, I spent hours in the Edouard Stackpole Library –expanding my information about these unique Island families.

Oldest House

Ten o’clock and I’m heading outdoors. It’s 65 degrees (outside) and absolutely beautiful.

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Twelve-thirty noon and lunch time. See what I accomplished this morning?! Well, this, and more!! I “planned ahead” and had the spray paint for table-top. I have an ample supply of trash bags!! Looking good (IMHO)!!

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One o’clock: Removed the Christmas garden flag and hung my absolute favorite “Home Tweet Home” flag. ~~ Hey, “Be it ever so humble….”

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Four-twenty and “yours truly” is exhausted!! But I absolutely could not stop; there were so many things I wanted to do!! Frankly, too busy to even take pictures.

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Postscript, Thurs., Jan. 29, 2015, 5:00 AM: I was in bed at eight o’clock last night and enjoyed a good six hours of sleep. I’m enthusiastic about another day in the yard.