The present invention relates to polymeric materials having a texture and appearance simulating the texture and appearance of paper, and mor particularly but not by way of limitation, to preformed, shape-sustaining flower pot covers, flower pot and floral wrappings, and ribbon materials made from such polymeric materials. The base station communicates periodically with a remote control station which downloads a medical schedule to the base station and thereby to the portable devices, and also receives usage and medical state information from the patient through the portable devices and the base station. A selecting system selectively transmits either the tone pattern signal or a data input signal. Alternatively, oxide deposition is preceded by a thermal oxidation step of short duration, e.