@johnbishop and all... John, please help this Florida city girl. What is the heck-teration is that huge bird and chick??? Turkey? no crest? Boy, do I feel dumb and dumber...You always have such interesting visitors. Thanks so much for sharing them.

I spent what seemed/felt like 12 hours, probably 3 hours, far too long, on my patio yesterday for the first time in months. My precious birds and squirrels were stunned as they came by for a treat or snack or even dinner, to find not one fresh seed for them, no fresh bath or water either. I've been dealing with what is our normal life here. We've had no new crises in the last couple of months, but I've been recuperating and working to build my strength from the last session of junk. I'm doing so much better, as is my son! What gratitude I feel to see him looking and acting and feeling better now than in years. Years!

He is better due to some attention from a new neurologist and a glimmer of hope for improvement in some areas. Amazing what hope does for the human spirit...Obviously, I am feeling that same hope, so looks good, for the moment.

I, too, have a new doctor who's bringing some wonderful improvements to me. All this helped me get stronger and on the patio yesterday! I repotted some plants in distress and added fresh good soil to long-neglected potted plants and to my planter around the patio. I washed and cleaned all the feeders, refilled them, and rearranged a bit of the entire space, using muscles and stretching bones I haven't moved in far too long. Yesterday wasn't 99-101 degrees, so I was able to deal with the outside for the first time in a couple of months.

I still have much to accomplish, but it will be done when it's done...when my body says it's ok.
I'm finally learning, although was back to the over-do person of ages. I planted 2 large planters to add to the front door area, one with snake plants and some mounders for interest, another with my Norfolk Island Pine Christmas Tree I bought last December. I was desperate to save it, so it had to be repotted in a larger container with better soil and drainage. Happy camper now, with some new growth! I haven't planted any new plants this year. Not been out to get anything, so only aiding and saving my regular babies...My indoor plants rescued last year are all so happy. They'll all need repotting in the next couple of months! That's a good thing but, oh my, it does become challenging at times.

I'm sending you a few pictures from my phone in the next message, in about 5 minutes. Some are from the 7th floor of the Davis Building on the Mayo Florida campus. I want you to see the lovely flora, buildings, ponds, fountains, art, and statues we enjoy on this campus. What a blessing...The other pictures are of a few plants in my front lawn area I planted several years ago and work to keep them happy. There were more but some didn't make it through our very late extra cold snap after they'd begun budding. It damaged a lot on my patio as well. Our beautiful azaleas didn't show off this year, we even lost a few due to the very cold early and late freezes we rarely experience. Then, this summer has been overbearingly high heat, high humidity, heavy pressure, and dangerous for anyone outside. We older folks have stayed put in the A.C. Mine went out for a day last week-end. My a.c. fellow came Sunday night, dear man, and got it going nicely. It was 90 degrees downstairs, and 96+ upstairs by the time it was back on. Past time for me to go to the hotel to survive...

I do enjoy reading all your messages. Laurie, @artist01, I've missed you, my friend. Welcome back to good times! @californiazebra, if you're not careful, you'll see what the rainy season is about like we have...I hope you're in upper California as southern Cal, Mexico, and @joyces, you mentioned 10 years ago you had good rains, but not since? I've noticed here our weather patterns seem to go in about 10-year cycles. Each decade becomes its own special weather change...rains increasing to flooding, then rains decreasing almost to a draught state. Same with cold winters and hot summers. Numbers of freezes, days over 100. It'll be interesting to see if this is the beginning of another cycle for us...

Well, pictures will arrive soon. Blessings all, Elizabeth