Klea, knock on wood I am not having any back problems to speak of yet!!!! I'm 5ft 9 inches tall and weigh in at a whopping 165 lbs (SKINNY) and I turned 45 on the 19th of June so i'm still fairly young and healthy (other than being diabetic). So for me moving the hoyas back inside is a JOB (usually takes about 3 days)but I love my hoyas so I don't really mind doing it. The hardest part is getting and keeping each plant unwound from around it's neighbor!!!! I am outside working with the hoyas almost every single day and at least once a week I try to unwind vines to keep everyone to themself. I do this even in the gh during the winter also as some of the hoyas continue to grow throughout the cold season. My gh is 18ft wide X 10ft high X 56ft long I could have gone the extra 4 ft and made it a full 60ft but there's a grape arbor behind it and I wanted to leave enough room for me to walk between the two and be able to mow grass.

Forgot to water today, but brought them all in anyway. Only supposed to get to 32,so I guess the Crown of Thorns will be fine with a blanket over it. It survived 25 degrees last year in North Port. Got frozen back a lot, even covered, but came back from the roots. I left the Aloe outside and the Clivia, and pulled all the cold-tolerant things up next to the sliding glass door where the indoor heat can radiate out to them. I really need to repot that COT in a plastic pot! It's not going to survive here if I can't bring it in. It's sad enough that it doesn't get enough sun to bloom. I'm thinking about asking my next door neighbor if I can put it on his patio. He never uses his patio, and it gets more sun than mine. My poor desertrose has lost all its leaves. I can't wait for spring so I can cut it back. It loses leaves every winter, but it's never gone completely bare before. This place just is not good for it. I hope that by the time my lease is up, I'll have enough money to move to a better place for me and the plants.

It is a good thing birds don't have feeling in their legs - as far as feeling the cold beneath their feet! Their feathers will keep their bodies warm. Those are very nice pictures. And I really do like the song: I really can't stay - Baby it's cold outside I've got to go away - Baby it's cold outside This evening has been - Been hoping that you'd drop in So very nice - I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice My mother will start to worry - Beautiful, what's your hurry My father will be pacing the floor - Listen to the fireplace roar So really I'd better scurry - Beautiful, please don't hurry Well maybe just a half a drink more - Put some music on while I pour The neighbors might think - Baby, it's bad out there Say, what's in this drink - No cabs to be had out there I wish I knew how - Your eyes are like starlight To break the spell - I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell I ought to say no, no, no, sir - Mind if I move closer At least I'm gonna say that I tried - What's the sense in hurting my pride? I really can't stay - Baby don't hold out Ahh, but it's cold outside But, I really don't know why it is considered a Christmas song since the only time I hear it is with all the other holiday music before Christmas! It is very appropriate for today! Okay, back on topic - Those words just started going through my head when I saw the subject and then saw the pictures - very appropriate!

The pots and sweaters belong to a retirement home located in a small town 2 hrs away from Cape Town. Winter temperatures drop low, sometimes they get snow in the mountains. I was visiting a friend, saw the sweaters there and thought it was a cute idea! Also it helps the elderly to have their mind active and motivated. You can see they try different designs and colours. They wash the sweaters often to keep the pots clean xD My friend thinks the plants are happier and warmer during the winter. (maybe I should experiment with mine).