I think we had about 18 or so days of high 20's at night last winter, and closing in on 12 pretty soon now this winter. One of my indicators is if the hummingbird feeder freezes! I lost all my orchids and most of my succulents last year. My epi's came through with flying colors, as did my fuchsia and my irises. I was really sad about losing my succulents, as I'd had them a long time and come through many cold winters - but not THIS cold. So, new area, new plants to love. This year, I built a cold frame out of pvc and heavy clear tarp (which will be modified for next winter) and nothing in it has frozen. All the Thanksgiving and Christmas cactus are in there. They're kinda red from the cold, but they're not dying at all. My senecio have kicked the bucket, however. No more for me. I have a gift cymbidium out there too, we'll see how it does. If it lives, I'll get more. If it dies, no more of them for me. I will not go out in the pitch dark and fling covers on top of things, they're going to have to be sturdy enough to live without my coddling them.

We got your snow bumble. Of course it hit on a day I was at work. It was fast and furious - just as they predicted. My 30 minute drive turned into 5 hours to get home. I got stuck, well not stuck, but traffic was at a standstill. I pulled off at a gas station - the whole block was without power. After some time, a lane cleared which turns to go across another highway. I was able to make it uphill, then across the highway to a shopping center - power out also, but two stores (Lowes and Food City) were running on generators. I was dying to use the bathroom!! Went into Lowes, and camped out there until my wonderful hubby (he was coming from another direction) got there. Left my car and he got us home. It was beautiful this morning (will see if I can post a pic from my iphone) and at least this is the kind of snow I like - gone quickly. It's in the 40s today and much of the snow has melted. Bumble, you would like it that cool all the time? Blue skies here and we also have a mountain view - they have snow on them. We'll be 50s tomorrow. Do you have asthma? tina

There are two generations answering this question. I am retired and would rather use my tower PC and old flip phone. Since I'm home most of the time it is easy to send a quick email to any of the kids to read on their smart phones. Can just answer or hang up with the flip. My upgrade is due and need a new phone. The darn flip phones are the same price and now with additional options which are of no use to me. The larger phone screens are nice, but still need my darn glasses to read anything of importance and it is too easy to go somewhere into cyberspace not wanted. Admission though, I would definitely use the app to compare pricing/stores. Can't tell you how many times someone has to show me a pic they have on their phone....I either nod or say something nice unless my glasses are nearby. The kids have accommodated me by sending pics through email. And I'll hang on to my Nikon D70 with all the functions in my head. The gathering of old people not wanting smart phones will fade away and this is not too far away. "New" old people will be the generation already skilled. But I have a vision of needing the old magnifying screens being put over them, those used in front of the first TVs in the 40s. Even an Ipad drives me nuts due to size in getting around for all I want to do. Am an ex IT person, 40 years of computer evolution experience. Still love new software and learning more. I like my fast access, multiple software programs and a "fat" built computer with a 42" screen for photography. We can be set in our ways, but there are physical limitations which also direct us to what works for our needs. Regarding the 700 a month. Enough people, aps, games, online use can easily jump to this. Family plan or not.. My son downloads books, usually once a month while he is sleeping. The data used is about 600 for this one shot. Phones used for business can easily run the monthly charge posted. This reminds me of one of my favorite commercials from Office Depot. Grandma is taking pictures of her kids with a hand stapler she picked up instead of the camera they gave her. My humor may be off the map.

What a great collection of ideas. I almost wish I had to buy a gift for an old guy. The charity donation is a great idea for the right person. Some people need the exchange of actual gifts to give and receive the feeling of being loved. My in laws are gift people and there's nothing wrong with that, it's just how they express love. They won't donate in my name, as I've requested, because it's just not something they understand. So we exchange gifts. OTHO, my Mum makes donations to charities in the grandkids names instead of buying them gifts. She picks things that represent them. She donated to a cancer charity to pay for yoga lessons for patients in honor of my niece the yoga practitioner. She donated to provide musical instruments for schools with underserved kids in honor of my nephew the musician. She donates to Heifer International and some of us 'get' bunnies or chicks or bees. We all prefer it to getting more stuff.