So it's going to get cold down here in Flahda tonight, cold enough that the Vandas and Phals and tender buds need to be brought in to shelter and the rest at least need to be covered as best we can. The beauty part is that even if it does go into the 30's (regardless of the forecasts, that generally doesn't happen), that drop will be brief, not prolonged. Still, precautions are needed.
So, the portable PVC racks are in and filled with Vandas. The dining room table (along with other tables) is laden with Phals and mounts. Phal. Malibu Madonna (pic at abpo) is gracing the coffee table in the "family" room. Casper the Wonder Cat accompanied us as we hauled plants; it is an adventure, after all! Meow, meow, sing, sing, trip mommy, trip mommy!
Throw sheets on all the rest, make sure the remote thermometers are working properly, turn on the pool pump later (the water is warm - not so that I'd put a toe in it right now, but warm by the standards of the entire rest of the country).
Half an hour ago I looked out and noted that the sheets were already blowing off. So out we went to do a better job of anchoring things. As I pulled a sheet over the top of a group of plants, something scampered up the sleeve of my sweatshirt. Yikes, the attack of the baby lizard! Um, hey, Frank? I've got an intruder running around under my shirt and making an attempt at my bra! No, wait - I think I got him out of there. Problem gone.
But no! Before we went into the house, I felt it again. So Frank said, "Well, you'd better take off the shirt and shake it before you go inside!" Oh, no! It's 59 degrees out here! Off came the shirt, out ran the critter, and I refuse to leave the house for the rest of the night, thank you very much.
Casper will no doubt find the critter in the morning when he goes out on the patio, bring it inside, place it gently on the rug in the office (he doesn't try to harm them) and wait for Frank to pick it up and take it to safety out on the lawn.
Wednesday it was 80. Pardon me while I go dig out my Polartec snuggle sack!
Diana