Ferns

I have never had success with ferns. It really annoys me. I mean they grow naturally on the forrest floor and do not seem to be very fragile in nature. They're like a dime a dozen around here. Not in my house though. For some reason they just brown and keel over when I get near. I bought a beautiful "Squirrels Foot Fern" (they have little fuzzy brown shoots that grow on the bottom)- it was a real splurge, it wasn't marked down or anything. Within two weeks the leaves started to go. I misted it for while and when it still declined I moved it to the basement so it was in a humid environment. I checked the Internet, my books, my friends, the guy at a local nursery, they all gave me usual fern advice. Keep them in a humid environment, spray them, they like it cooler, etc. Nothing worked! The poor thing died a slow death. My mother gave me one of those great ferns in a hanging basket and advised me to hang it in my bathroom with low light. Dead. There is one growing outside, under my porch. I stay away from it and it comes back year after year.
Its like knowing someone doesn't like you and not being able to figure out why. I tried to let the "squirrels foot" see that all my other plants like me and appreciate my care, he didn't see it. I am understanding too. I really have no problem adjusting things to help a plant be comfortable. If they want to northern light, fine, a little afternoon sun, no problem. I can water once a week or twice, its all right. I watch for who prefers to be alone and who likes company. My african violet does better near the TV- I can deal with that. But there is no communicating with a fern once it has given up. They really just kind of surrender and can't be rallied. I don't give up that easy and I wish my plant wouldn't either.