Following the finale (for now!) of the Wall Street Theater (Follies?), here is the rose and the tomato, part two:
The tomato is still alive and the dreaded powdery mildew spots are vanishing. We're not out of the woods (and here, never will be!) but conditions are much better. I, er, took the spirit of your advice and made sure the tomato plant was hotter and drier and sunnier. And, um, that's about it. (I was going to do more drastic things but RL, cheapness and laziness intervened, and so I did...nature's cure. Yes, wildflowers do very well around my house.) The tomato is putting out tiny new growth.
The rose is still alive and still blooming. Several of the friends and family said yesterday, "Do you know you have a ROSE out front?" and "There is A HUGE WHITE ROSE BLOOMING!" Last night, the temperature was even colder. I took to heart Jawbone's comment that roses can do very well down into the 20's--thought of the flower coolers at the florist--went out and looked at the rose and its dew covered petals. I did nothing but make sure the rose had a little shelter near it--making a warmer micro-zone. The huge white rose is gleaming out there now in the early autumn morning, against the rioting fall colors.
Many thanks to everyone.
P.S. The white rose has a rose bud.