...but I don't know what she objected to about the sunflowers.

That is a unique thing to be squicked at. Perhaps she'd had some experience of being chased by angry sunflowers?

4.

I hope you've indeed been able to go, and that it's been a wonderful time. We've had about a foot of snow here--I'm told it was slow going on the highways, so I'm glad I had no cause for being on them.

I hope you've found some sleep, and that you'll be feeling better soon.