Thank you all for your kind thoughts! Our modem on the computer wasn't working on Tuesday night. It started out fine but completely died around 8:00 p.m. I tried rebooting the computer and turning the DSL box off and on. Nothing worked. When I looked at the computer settings, the modem wasn't being recognized so I figured it croaked. I watched TV the rest of the night and sulked. The computer worked just fine for Bob later Tuesday night after I went to bed. On Wednesday, it worked just fine too. I was finally able to look at my Facebook page and saw a post from my brother with a link to the eulogy he wrote for Mary's memorial on Tuesday night! I totally missed her memorial/wake! I was so hurt that no one told me about it. Then I checked my cell phone and called my voicemail. My sister left a message on Monday telling me about the wake. I never saw anything on my cell phone saying I had a message. I am convinced that Mary was haunting me on Tuesday night and made the modem on my computer stop working. I think she was telling me she was a little upset that I didn't make her memorial and wasn't able to say my formal good-bye. I feel so hurt and upset that no one made sure I knew when it was! I check my email and Facebook every day so they could have contacted me that way. I feel so awful that I am embarrassed to go to Mary's daughter's wedding in a couple of weeks. They will think I'm an awful person for missing her memorial. I don't have any of their phone numbers or email addresses. *sigh* As if her death wasn't bad enough. At least I know she cares enough to haunt me.

I have wanted to ask a question about cell phones but was afraid I would be scolded for going off topic, so I am happy to read this thread. I have had AT&T as a prepaid phone for years, and the coverage/reception for where I live, call to, and travel are all dismal. I am seriously thinking about switching to Verizon. I never text or do any type of social networking, so I have always had very cheap, simple phones. My current (GG180) LG's car charger died recently and since I hate the tiny phone I decided to get a new phone AND switch carriers. Verizon offers a prepaid plan in which I pay $100 dollars and get a year's service (same as AT&T gives me). I never use all my minutes and they will allow me to roll over unused minutes. I want a phone with a decent camera--2.0 MB or more, and auto focus and flash would be nice. Unfortunately, a phone with a great camera is also loaded with functions I won't use, but will have to pay for. I have been looking at unlocked phones and I visited a Verizon kiosk for information. The saleswoman agreed that I want an expensive phone and showed me the LG Octane. I loved it, but can't afford their price. I asked if I could buy an unlocked phone online and then come in and sign up for a prepaid plan. She said I had to get a Verizon compatible phone and then she said something about Verizon getting an improved type of service in a couple months. What is this better service? From what I understood of the sales pitch, if I wait for this improved service, I would no longer have to get a Verizon compatible phone. Can anyone explain this to me? Also, does anyone know of a reputable site where I can find phones sold without a contract? I have looked at several, but I don't really feel comfortable buying from them. So many of the phones are used or refurbished, or sold without a warrantee. I believe I am really inadequately prepared to buy an expensive phone from an online store, except for Amazon. Over the years I have given them plenty of business and haven't felt that I was cheated by them. Thanks for any advice. Nancy (near Syracuse, NY)

That's the whole point, not too many 86 y.o. are going to be able to handle the tech demands of a computer. Browsing the internet is no great thing anyway, unless you have a specific goal. I worked in a CCRC (continuing care retirement community) for 3 years, so I speak from not only personal, but professional experience. My father, an engineer (from Northeastern, not MIT), wanted to learn how to use a computer very much, and we tried setting him up several times, but even in his early 80's it was just too much for him. He had all his faculties up until his death at 91, it was just something that didn't make sense to him in some basic way, and he never could use one. For most elderly moms/dads or grandmothers/grandfathers who have never used a computer before, this would be ideal. All they really want to do is read letters and see family pictures. Since few of us send snail mail any more, this would allow them to stay in touch with children and grandchildren who are computer literate (that's us!) My kids would have loved to stay in touch with their grandfather with something like this, and I think he would have liked it too, having something in his hand to read and read again. He would have been able to carry them around the CCRC and show them to his friends, especially the pictures. I have coworkers, much younger than me, who, despite many attempts, still can't figure out how to reply to email, much less send one, and they use a computer every day. Think about how daunting it can be to learn some new technology, and imagine if you are 86 years old and trying to do it.

Patty- thanks for telling of your experience with these various roses. My Fireopal and Jolie are pretty winter hardy but South Africa isn't. Strange how that works. Fiji is struggling too but I potted it up and it's growing much better now. We have had such a cold spring and crappy cool summer here I think it wreaked havoc with my roses. We've only had a couple of days in the low 90's. I loved it but my roses haven't so very little growth or flowers, even on the roses that don't seem to be affected by rose midge. My best Kordes performer by far is Honeymoon Arbor rose. I have a Florentina band that's growing really well. No flowers but I really didn't expect any. Another band that is growing really well is Tequila Supreme. I've had several flowers on her. Hopefully she's winter hardy. I never had heard of Heart Song. What a stunning rose. Sharon