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HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: Yes, okay, fine.
VALENTINE'S DAY.
Back in the bad old days, it was the absolute scourge of every unpopular little girl.
I loathed it. Oh, in junior high (that’s what we called middle school) I remember the cool girls would get anonymous vases of roses on their desks, some two or three of them! And all of us who were not cool –well, our desks were so blazingly and conspicuously bare.
I have a tiny memory that at one point they outlawed this, because it made more people miserable than happy. SO much pressure!
And as a reporter, I did a story when I priced a dozen red roses every day in January, and then watched the price double and triple in February. What a rip off!
As a kid, I did love to punch out the valentines from those perforated pages, and put them in those little envelopes, most of which did not fit, and then make sure I had enough for everyone in the class. Including the one for the teacher.
(Do kids still do that?)
Anyway, I don’t mean to be a –what’s a valentine's grinch? A Vinch? I'm not, really, I'm all for love and romance! But how do you feel about it all? Any Valentine’s stories? And happy ones, of course, are welcome.
LUCY BURDETTE: Hank, those roses on girls’ desks sound brutal! That should have been squashed immediately. I think these days the kids have to give cards to everyone or no one? John and I got engaged on Valentine’s day, 33 years ago. So that’s a very happy memory. We tend not to go out on the day because the restaurants want to serve expensive prix fixe menus. I’ll make something nice instead…
HALLIE EPHRON: Those roses on the girls’ desks? They probably sent them to themselves. (Snark…)
Jerry always gave me roses on V day until I explained that the way to my heart in February was TULIPS. They last much longer and don’t hang their heads in shame after 2 days. I had ONE spectacular Valentine’s day in college when I got roses from three (3!!!) men. I was having entirely too much fun and managing to get a C- in European History.
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HANK: This deserves a whole blog, Hallie, I hope you know...we totally want details.
JENN McKINLAY: Hallie, 3 men??? Fantastic. I love that for college you! Lucy, how lovely to get engaged on Valentine’s Day. I approve! Hank, a Vinch? LOLOLOLOL!
By the time I got to school, we single girls had figured out to send roses to each other so no one had an empty desk, but still it was ridiculous. I like the cards we gave out as kids that were cartoony and punny and everyone got one. Hub and I usually wish each other a Happy Valentine’s Day and we’re good but this year one of the Hooligans and his Plus One rented a VRBO up in Sedona for the Valentine weekend, and I’m a tad envious of their youth and enthusiasm for their hot tub under the stars. Hub and I would likely be asleep by 9 PM. LOL.
DEBORAH CROMBIE: I’d never heard of the roses on desks thing–how horrible! And I guarantee no one would have sent me roses in junior high.
Hank, my husband is a Vinch! But as I have no desire to go out for a crowded, over-priced dinner, or to get sad, over-priced roses, that’s fine with me. I usually try to make something a little special, and maybe get us some kind of a little treat for dessert. It’s all good. And we celebrate Valentine’s Day as our dog Jasmine’s birthday. She’s a rescue, so we don’t know for certain, but mid-February is just about right.
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RHYS BOWEN: as I went to a girl’s school there were no valentines to contend with, in fact I only remember getting one in my entire life that meant anything and that was an anonymous one from my sweet boyfriend trying to claim he was a secret admirer! But John and I have a Valentine’s tradition. When we moved to Phoenix in 2007 he got me a vase of fake roses and a balloon from the dollar store. They have survived this long and he gets them out every year along with about a dozen cards from the dollar store that he leaves all over the house! We never go out on special days. Too crazy. We’ll have something special like a lobster tail.
JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: Is it crazy that my most vivid memories of Valentine’s Day are putting together the innumerable cards for my kids? Every kid in the class, every year, times three - I did SO much folding, sticking, stuffing with candy, etc. etc. And in the preschool-kindergarten years, I also had to address each envelope as well, because four to six year olds have lousy handwriting skills. I’m going to estimate I spent each February 13th from 1999 - 2005 making around 65 of these because I had two kids only 16 month apart. (Ask me about the two-kids-in-college bonus tuition special.) The extra numbers are for the teacher and class assistant, who got their own special cards in the box.
Fortunately, neither Ross nor I were Valentine’s people - he would often stop and pick up a small box of chocolate in the early years, but once he figured out I preferred to raid the andy aisles on February 15th, he stopped. Like Rhys, we also waited until later in the month for a dinner out - so much easier to secure a baby sitter and reservations!
Back in the bad old days, it was the absolute scourge of every unpopular little girl.
I loathed it. Oh, in junior high (that’s what we called middle school) I remember the cool girls would get anonymous vases of roses on their desks, some two or three of them! And all of us who were not cool –well, our desks were so blazingly and conspicuously bare.
I have a tiny memory that at one point they outlawed this, because it made more people miserable than happy. SO much pressure!
And as a reporter, I did a story when I priced a dozen red roses every day in January, and then watched the price double and triple in February. What a rip off!
As a kid, I did love to punch out the valentines from those perforated pages, and put them in those little envelopes, most of which did not fit, and then make sure I had enough for everyone in the class. Including the one for the teacher.
(Do kids still do that?)
Anyway, I don’t mean to be a –what’s a valentine's grinch? A Vinch? I'm not, really, I'm all for love and romance! But how do you feel about it all? Any Valentine’s stories? And happy ones, of course, are welcome.
LUCY BURDETTE: Hank, those roses on girls’ desks sound brutal! That should have been squashed immediately. I think these days the kids have to give cards to everyone or no one? John and I got engaged on Valentine’s day, 33 years ago. So that’s a very happy memory. We tend not to go out on the day because the restaurants want to serve expensive prix fixe menus. I’ll make something nice instead…
HALLIE EPHRON: Those roses on the girls’ desks? They probably sent them to themselves. (Snark…)
Jerry always gave me roses on V day until I explained that the way to my heart in February was TULIPS. They last much longer and don’t hang their heads in shame after 2 days. I had ONE spectacular Valentine’s day in college when I got roses from three (3!!!) men. I was having entirely too much fun and managing to get a C- in European History.
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HANK: This deserves a whole blog, Hallie, I hope you know...we totally want details.
JENN McKINLAY: Hallie, 3 men??? Fantastic. I love that for college you! Lucy, how lovely to get engaged on Valentine’s Day. I approve! Hank, a Vinch? LOLOLOLOL!
By the time I got to school, we single girls had figured out to send roses to each other so no one had an empty desk, but still it was ridiculous. I like the cards we gave out as kids that were cartoony and punny and everyone got one. Hub and I usually wish each other a Happy Valentine’s Day and we’re good but this year one of the Hooligans and his Plus One rented a VRBO up in Sedona for the Valentine weekend, and I’m a tad envious of their youth and enthusiasm for their hot tub under the stars. Hub and I would likely be asleep by 9 PM. LOL.
DEBORAH CROMBIE: I’d never heard of the roses on desks thing–how horrible! And I guarantee no one would have sent me roses in junior high.
Hank, my husband is a Vinch! But as I have no desire to go out for a crowded, over-priced dinner, or to get sad, over-priced roses, that’s fine with me. I usually try to make something a little special, and maybe get us some kind of a little treat for dessert. It’s all good. And we celebrate Valentine’s Day as our dog Jasmine’s birthday. She’s a rescue, so we don’t know for certain, but mid-February is just about right.
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RHYS BOWEN: as I went to a girl’s school there were no valentines to contend with, in fact I only remember getting one in my entire life that meant anything and that was an anonymous one from my sweet boyfriend trying to claim he was a secret admirer! But John and I have a Valentine’s tradition. When we moved to Phoenix in 2007 he got me a vase of fake roses and a balloon from the dollar store. They have survived this long and he gets them out every year along with about a dozen cards from the dollar store that he leaves all over the house! We never go out on special days. Too crazy. We’ll have something special like a lobster tail.
JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: Is it crazy that my most vivid memories of Valentine’s Day are putting together the innumerable cards for my kids? Every kid in the class, every year, times three - I did SO much folding, sticking, stuffing with candy, etc. etc. And in the preschool-kindergarten years, I also had to address each envelope as well, because four to six year olds have lousy handwriting skills. I’m going to estimate I spent each February 13th from 1999 - 2005 making around 65 of these because I had two kids only 16 month apart. (Ask me about the two-kids-in-college bonus tuition special.) The extra numbers are for the teacher and class assistant, who got their own special cards in the box.
Fortunately, neither Ross nor I were Valentine’s people - he would often stop and pick up a small box of chocolate in the early years, but once he figured out I preferred to raid the andy aisles on February 15th, he stopped. Like Rhys, we also waited until later in the month for a dinner out - so much easier to secure a baby sitter and reservations!
LUCY AGAIN: When we talked to our daughter this week, she was looking forward to (NOT!) preparing 90 Valentines for her 3 kids. This is insane--there has to be a better way!
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HANK: Maybe it’s Vrinch, not Vince. But you get the idea. I keep thinking about Debs’ sad over-priced roses. What a vision!
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HANK: Maybe it’s Vrinch, not Vince. But you get the idea. I keep thinking about Debs’ sad over-priced roses. What a vision!
But hey, I vote that Valentines Day can be any day we want.
And--most definitely--all of YOU are our dearest valentines!
Weigh in, reds and readers. Here’s your chance to speak your piece on this. Still– romance is romance, and anything that makes a person happy is a good thing, right?
Tell us what you think!
Tell us what you think!
Punching out valentine cards is a relatively pleasant memory . . . always one for every classmate, plus the teacher. It's not hard to be kind . . . .
ReplyDeleteThe roses tale makes me cringe, Hank . . . .
John and I exchange cards; I make dinner . . . it's a pleasant celebration without too much fuss . . . .
Sounds like a typical V day here, too... though I always woke up to a cartoon Valentine waiting for me in the bathroom. Sigh.
DeleteI'm sorry, Hallie....This is when Valentine's Day can sometimes fill us with sadness and memories of "remember when".
DeleteI can only imagine how difficult it is, Hallie, but the memories will always be with you . . . .
DeleteSo many wonderful stories! The only memories I have of Valentine’s Day was the candy hearts and the children’s books about Valentine’s Day. Was there a peanuts cartoon about Valentine’s Day? At uni, my friends and I would bake Valentine’s Day heart shaped cookies.. To me, I think of this day as heart shaped cookies, heart shaped pizza and romantic movies. I am a romantic at heart. I plan to watch A RELUCTANT HEART on Apple TV plus because a friend is in the movie. She plays Inez. And I am currently reading THIRTY DAYS IN PARIS by Veronica Henry.
ReplyDeleteLove that Jenn’s girlfriends all gave each other valentines on Valentine’s Day. Hallie, three guys! Sounds wonderful! Lucy, getting engaged on Valentine’s Day! Rhys, that is awesome about getting fake flowers from the dollar store. That is very creative of John. Hank, I hope you still did something fun for yourself on Valentine’s Day anyway. Debs and Julia, I agree that going out to a restaurant on Valentine’s Day is not a good idea since too many couples have the same idea of going out! Actually, more fun to stay home, have home cooked Valentine’s Day dinner and celebrate each other, right?
That reminds me - I was at uni when I was serenaded by my boyfriend and his singing cappella group. They practiced their song in sign language and it was a wonderful surprise. We treated them to Valentine’s Day cookies that we baked.
Just learned that in some countries, instead of celebrating Valentine’s Day, they celebrate Friends Day!
Oooh, speaking of cookes, a reminder that I used to make heart-shaped Linzer cookies (almond cookie sandwiches with raspberry jam) for which I had special cookie cutters.
DeleteHallie, your heart shaped cookies sound yummy! I also believe that Valentine’s Day is a perfect opportunity for SELF CARE time. Do something kind for yourself. As Jerry said in his comments, do something kind for someone. And Julia reminded us that Valentine was martyred for caring for Christians.
DeleteDiana, an cappella serenade! Whoa! Fabulous. What did they sing do you remember?
DeleteSince I am so bad at remembering titles, I recall some words like 💗 love
DeleteAs it happens, Hugh and I had our first date - a long walk in the woods seeing bluebirds, and a hawk up close - after meeting on Match.com twenty-one years ago today. We'll go out for a lovely lunch and then get a chocolate dessert from our local bistro for later. It's a happy day!
ReplyDeleteAw, that is super sweet, Edith. Happy first date anniversary!
DeleteThanks! Since we aren't married, it is our only anniversary. ;^)
DeleteAwwwww lovely!
DeleteA match succcess story! 😘
DeleteI’ve never been a huge fan of the Valentine’s Day roses because they are a huge expense and don’t last. One year my husband gave me a dozen donuts. One year he surprised me at lunch at work with Cherry Garcia ice cream. And then there are years where there might be a card or a compulsory “Happy Valentine’s Day” uttered in my direction. One never knows.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in junior high and high school, student council or something sold carnations for a dollar that were delivered to you in homeroom for a fundraiser. I never received any. And yes girls sent them to each other and/or to themselves.
Decorating your Valentine “mailbox” and giving and getting the punny cards with a candy treat in elementary school was much more fun.
I had 3 kids. They did their own cards with a little supervision.
Cherry Garcia is perfect!
DeleteOh I had forgotten that my 10 drawer card catalog was. Valentine’s gift! Thank you Facebook memories.
DeleteWe have never done much for Valentine's Day because the roses from our anniversary on February 1 were usually still in full bloom and we always go out for dinner then. We exchange cards. I bake something yummy. We smooch.
ReplyDeleteI dreaded Valentine's Day for most of my young life and don't have many memories of prepping Valentines for Jonathan.
What a flood on JRW yesterday, Hank! WOW!
Yesterday, Blogger cut me off. I didn't think I had over-commented, but he's a harda$$.
Gillian, I am sorry to hear you broke your wrist and wish you a quick and complete recovery.
Yes, all my comments on later posts did not make it in. I hope those commenters did not feel neglected. (Selden)
DeleteI thought the blogger was rejecting my comment yesterday, then I discovered a little - load more - a whole other batch of comments popped up including mine. Very popular yesterday.
DeleteJudy, your “rose recycling” reminds me of parents. They recycled from Valentine’s Day for their wedding anniversary on Feb. 28. Elisabeth
DeleteOh, I absolutely adored yesterday, and woke up this morning thinking about how fabulous it was. What a treat to see everyone!
DeleteYeah, I'm not much for the manufactured romance stuff. Happily single, not sweating today's expectations of chocolate, flowers and dinner out. Today, I'm hearing the ghost of Thurl Ravenscroft changing the lyrics ever so slightly as he intones, "You're a mean one, Mr. Vrinch."
ReplyDeleteNow that’s in my head, too! Thank you! :-0 Love you…
DeleteMy husband gave me a dozen roses on an early Valentine's Day. This was in the years when we had a combined income of $14k. I was horrified. I may even have wept. Poor man.
ReplyDeleteI grew up the child of parents who had come of age in the Depression, and my father had made his early career in advertising. Our household was centered on the Episcopal church year, not secular holidays, so all in all, my parents disapproved of commercialization. A Hallmark card? Certainly not; they wrote personal letters or Dad drew his own cartoon cards. None of this made any impression on me as a child except at Easter, when I noticed sadly that my neighbor friend received a 2-foot chocolate Easter bunny whereas we got biblical story books and jelly beans and went to church. However, I have realized as an adult I have had to push myself to celebrate some of these holidays like a "normal" person so I don't inadvertently hurt someone by not thinking about it. (Selden)
But in Feb there were often Shrove Tuesday pancakes, which by my thinking were a lot better, right?
DeleteCoralee -- I loved Shrove Tuesday as a kid; Mum would make French-style crepes for supper -- with white sugar and lemon juice on them. I cannot imagine what bedtime was like on that day!!!
DeleteIt would be! Maybe because Dad often made pancakes, though, what I really remember is Ash Wednesday. (Selden)
DeleteSelden, our pancakes were pre-Lent “Shove Tuesday” (?). But Mother also made heart shaped (free hand) for Valentines. Daddy’s cooking was limited to fried eggs and hot dogs. ;-) Elisabeth
DeleteElizabeth, yes, I just don't remember Shrove Tuesday pancakes because Dad would make us pancakes on weekends, so they didn't stand out in my memory. Dad also made bacon on weekends, or soft-boiled eggs during the week, or steak for Sunday midday, post-church dinners. He could also put out boxes of cereal and pour orange juice. That was the limit of his "cooking." At that he was more talented than my husband, who grew up in a family that lived entirely on take-out. (Selden)
DeleteAh, the merchant’s daughter rises up: supply and demand, of course roses are more expensive when everyone wants them. The grower charges more to the wholesaler who charges more to the florist who charges more to you. My age shows when I say that I remember when grocery stores sold only food and florists sold only flowers and, perhaps, little vases. Refusing to be the grinch that stole Valentine’s Day…enjoy, my dears. Elisabeth
ReplyDeleteI was big into homemade valentines when we lived in two feet of snow in Cleveland--the doilies, stickers, red and pink paper hearts. A project that kept the kids occupied for several days. A heart-shaped cake for dessert and a toy from Cupid. And the valentines shoeboxes for school.
ReplyDeleteI'll make a chicken pot pie for dinner and tomorrow night, we'll watch the new Bridget Jones movie.
I'd forgotten all about the DOILES (and elmer's glue)
DeleteYes yes, I love the doilies, and I loved that it looked like but there was only one that but they were so thin that when you peel them apart there were a million!
DeleteAnd before Elmer’s there was delicious paste (flour and water my grandmother’s recipe) to stick with and maybe taste? Elisabeth
DeleteOh, that was me, Hank, above, talking about the peeling doilies!
DeleteHmmm, my schools in Toronto did not force kids to make or give out any Valentine cards or treats or flowers! Wow, JULIA and LUCY that is too much pressure on the poor parents.
ReplyDeleteMy parents did not celebrate their wedding anniversary so they certainly did nothing for Valentine's Day!!!
And I am happily single so I ignore all the Valentine's Day hype.
TBF, Grace, no one forced us - it was just the cultural expectation. And everyone getting cards in their special "mailboxes" (the kids decorated shoe boxes for the holiday) is a heck of a lot better than only a few getting a card - or, God forbid, a rose!
DeleteOh, Julia, February the month of never-ending art projects —stove pipe hats (Happy Birthday, Abe!), hatchets for cherry trees (Happy Birthday, George), and in between Valentine boxes and cards and (don’t remember why) pink paper chains. Grew up in CT where the presidents’ birthdays were 2 separate holidays and school was closed …the 12th for Lincoln and the 22nd for Washington. The 14th was a school day, but cards and cupcakes and candy made it not a classroom sit at your desk and learn kind of day. Elisabeth
DeleteElisabeth, in which part of Connecticut did you grow up? Selden is from the shoreline and Jenn is, I think, from Fairfield County. I grew up 1/2 hour from New London but moved to a Hartford suburb at age 14.
DeleteThe only way to celebrate Valentine's Day -- a day dedicated to love -- is to go and do some good, whether to the world or to someone in need, it doesn't matter as long as in your mind you are doing it to honor someone special in your life. You don't even have to let your S.O. know what you have done because the universe will know that life has become just a little bit better for someone, whether nit is buy paying for a purchase for the person behind you in a checkout line, or by volunteering for a local charity, or by (as John Lewis recommended) "making good trouble." If you love someone, everything positive that you do is a testament to them, and that is the greatest gift of all.
ReplyDeleteJerry, what a great thought. Thank you. (Selden)
DeleteWonderful!
DeleteI think Valentine's Day should be a celebration for ALL...whether lover, friend, sibling, parent, etc. We all deserve to be treated with kindness. What Jerry wrote takes it a step further and was so beautifully expressed!
DeleteJerry, that's a wonderful thought! After all, the saint whose day this is was martyred for caring for Christians during the 3rd century persecutions. He'd undoubtedly approve of doing deeds of kindness today.
DeleteI’ll usually do a card for my husband; sometimes I can save it before he throws it away and reuse it the following year. I got a Tshirt for my husband from our local brewery, but I’m realizing I don’t have anything for his birthday next week, so I think I’ll save it. We normally don’t go out, but our local cheese shop is having a class tonight so we are going to that.
ReplyDeleteMy mother used to give my father the same card every year, it was hilarious, and became a family tradition! I still remember it: it said “happy Valentine’s Day to a man outstanding in his field!!”
DeleteAnd then of course, when you open it, there was a guy standing in a field.
Hank, I love the word Vrinch! Such a commercial holidayI remember the valentines in grammar school. I think we must have had them for everyone. No flowers in junior high or high school. I wasn’t part of the cool kids but did have my own group of friends so no trauma remembered. My husband has given me roses and dark chocolate in the past. For tonight I’m making a mushroom and prosciutto tart for dinner, not sure about vegetable yet, some good wine, with an “easy” pots de crème for dessert. And maybe we’ll find something to watch in Netflix. May all your days go smoothly! ❤️💐
ReplyDeleteMushroom and prosciutto tart sounds delicious.
DeleteHallie and anyone else – did you know if you have a droopy tulip or apparently a droopy rose, if you hold it gently and push a straight pin in the stem just below the bud, one side only and not all the way through, the tulip/rose will undroop overnight. Something about releasing the capillary pressure – haven’t tried it, but it was as part of a flower bouquet class I attended on Tuesday. We were using tulips as the flower in the bouquet. Maybe someone else can confirm.
ReplyDeleteI did NOT know that. Writing it down... But tulips droop different from roses. They fling their petals wide while roses often never open they just sag and droop and look sad.
DeleteI love splayed open tulips! It’s just sometimes they open too quickly, right? And I think it has to do with the temperature of the water or the ambience. And if you cut them diagonally at the bottom every day, it prevents that.
DeleteBut it’s so frustrating when the tulips droop. Just perfectly closed but the stems droop. I think that’s what the pin helps..
And it’s frustrating when the tulips don’t even open. I think that’s because they came from too far away, and we’re too cold. It never happens with tulips from my garden, which is fascinating.
And Margo, any flower tips you can give us, very very welcome! We’d love to know!
DeleteI have a solution for this now! Virginia brought me a Delft tulipiere when she came home for her visit! She got it in the actual Delft factory, which she said was a fascinating place to tour. If you haven't seen a tulipiere, they come in a variety of shapes, but have in common multiple narrow openings for a single flower. The vase itself therefore supports the drooping tulips.
DeleteTulips can droop or not droop because of the light or lack of light too.
DeleteI remember Valentine's Day being harder as a young working adult woman than as a school-aged kid. In school, it was sort of a group event, while in the office it was pretty fierce competition -- not overt, but that lethal under-the-surface kind. Oh look, there's the delivery guy. Who are THOSE flowers for? Etc etc all day long.
ReplyDeleteHappy Galentines day everyone. I saw that neologism yesterday in one of the papers. It seems women w/o a male in their lives are gathering on the 13th to celebrate.
ReplyDeleteBack in the before times, when my husband worked in White Plains and we lived near Danbury I planned a secret kidnap hubby Valentines lunch. Bought the boutonniere, contacted his secretary to hold him, and drove to his office. It was a great plan, gone awry by his worker bee mode. He left 10 minutes before I got there. Left the flowers and felt like a Vitch all the way home.
Really enjoyed hearing the memories of our magnificent seven this morning. For me, my daughter created a cocoa mix blend, we shared a morning cocoa /mocha and had a great start for the day. Plus she did all the laundry last night while I was sleeping. Heart day happens.
Doing the laundry is the kind of Valentine's gift I would adore, Coralee!
DeleteA Vitch ! That is completely hilarious! Love love love.
DeleteSurprise! The fellow who I have lived with for 47 years does not do holidays nor gifts – probably too cheap. However, one year he did.
ReplyDeleteI leave you guessing what it might. Dinner out? – no. KFC in? – no. Chocolates? – no. Roses or tulips? – no.
He came home from work – late as usually. He did construction. Said he had a present for me. I said a wimpy wahoo, as his choice of gifts did not have a good track record. So, with trepidation I put on my coat and boots as for some reason he could not bring the gift into the house (can you start to provide some doom, doom, doom, doom music please…) The truck was backed up to the barn, with straw dragging out the back, and I had no memory of asking him to pick up some straw… more music please.
“Close your eyes”. He opens the doors. All is quiet. “OK, now open your eyes”.
There she was – just what I wanted (not – had not even dreamed this one!) My very own used pot-belly pig – size extra-large. Black. Toenails not cut for years. Bad underbite. Jelly-belly from too many pregnancies dragging on the ground – she often stepped on it which would bring her up short. Only 3 hairs on her head.
Her name was Rosie. She was now ours.
Be thankful for what you get – it could just be a pig in a poke!
Wow, Margo. You get all the best gifts!
DeleteGasping with helpless laughter here.
DeleteSo hilarious Margo!
oh my goodness, Margo: now THAT is a memorable gift. I wonder how long (poor) Rosie lived...
DeleteOMG. If that doesn't beat all. Margo you are a saint.
DeleteLucky Rosie, to find a home with Margo and the harrumpher!
DeleteOh, Margo! I was laughing but I echo Flora, how lucky for Rosie to land with you. (Selden)
DeleteRosie basked in the sun, grinning for about 3 years. Just another non-financial-gain animal in our yard. I came in the barn one morning in February and discovered her buried under a fluff of straw at peace. Wish we could put in pictures - she was NOT a delight to look at, but she could smile!
DeleteOh my goodness, that is absolutely hilarious!
DeleteWhat a great story! I actually wish my husband would surprise me with a new animal! I’ve been talking about getting a few barnyard animals since we have a beautiful (empty) horse barn… wish he would take the hint and just bring home some for me!
Delete"Just another non-financial-gain animal in our yard." Ain't it the truth! And February, huh? farming minds wonder if you were able to reach her bulk with a tractor. Working alone, I have had some... escapades... with corpses in winter. Sadly, none of them suitable for a murder mystery. (Selden)
DeleteLove this story, how nice to provide Rosie 3 happy years:)
DeleteBelly laugh here, big enough to step on!
DeleteBEST VALENTINE STORY EVER!!! LOL!!!
DeleteWhen I was in tenth grade I came home from school to find a florist's box at my front door. Inside were some lovely red-tipped white carnations. Unfortunately there was also a red heart on a wire stick that I put in the vase with the flowers. It rusted and probably didn't do to flowers any good although they did last for quite a while. I had assumed they were from my boyfriend at the time and thanked him profusely. In recent years I am not so sure they were from him after all; I suspect they might have been from a previous BF since the one I had thanked had absolutely no money at all. I still talk to him once in a while and from what he says I don't think he has any memory of sending them, but he has been rather vague on the topic. Oh well, as the only valentine flowers I ever received it is still a nice memory!
ReplyDeleteOh, what a terrific element for a mystery novel!
DeleteYES! Hank, take this premise and run with it (to your laptop)!
DeleteI always loved Valentine's Day. I'm sure as a child that it was because all those lovely cards exchanged in the classroom between pupils and teacher was the reason. What a lovely memory that you all just stirred inside me this morning; thank you! As an adult I loved it not for the romance end of it but because it was a reminder that we were mid-way through the Winter Solstice and on our way to the Spring Equinox. It was an excuse to lift one's spirits and just feel joyful. Each day brought additional minutes of daylight before the sun went down. On the negative side the commercial end of today can often mean pressure to produce expensive gifts and expectations of something grand happening that may not happen. And feeling disappointed like a deflated balloon. Also for those who may feel lonely or out of sorts because of the romantic connection with Valentine's Day or have disconnected from family and friends today may add to that sadness and exclusion. Hank Phillippi Ryan's roses in vases on the desk story was so disheartening ~ Being a young teenage girl at the Junior High stage was and still is tough enough without adding that level of exclusion to the equation.It reminds me of how much I despised my High School Yearbooks because of the "Most Popular", "Smartest", "Best-Looking", "Most Athletic", etc., section. Hopefully, that has been eliminated in the yearbooks now.
ReplyDeleteHa! Yes, I hope they have done away with those, too, but I fear they have not. Back in the day :-) I was voted “most individual.” it was not meant to be a compliment. They put my picture in the school paper upside down to show how weird I was.
DeleteOh Hank! This is too funny! Hopefully you are proud of this proclamation now and proudly wear this badge of honor! Of course, in HS I would have probably been mortified, but I’d be pretty happy to be known for this quality now that I am older and more true to myself!
DeleteOh no, Hank... That was indeed a method of bullying and trying to exclude you. How hurtful! But the song lyrics "If they could see me now" certainly would put them all to shame today. Your "weirdness" and "most individual" label was actually your creativity and skill at ingenuity and resourceful thinking. You were already on your way with not settling in with the rest of the crowd; you were your own person. It's not that you were looking to get even but oh boy! what a remarkable career...two in fact...you have carved out for yourself! You are the epitome of both a professional and personable human being who is clever, smart, skillful, resourceful and sophisticated. I dare say these same individuals who humiliated you in high school would today be tinged with envy, humbled and hopefully apologetic for their past behavior. I never quite understood that being "inside the circle" was a badge of honor and acceptance and being "outside the circle" was a form of rejection and humiliation in high school. Such foolishness that I am embarrassed to say I have witnessed among some classmates who still have not graduated from that sophomoric behavior decades later! P.S. Happy Valentines Day to you all....Today is meant for everyone!
DeleteI was going to say that I think that was very mean, Hank (and where was the faculty advisor for the school paper?), but Emily said it much more eloquently than I could have. — Pat S
DeleteEvelyn! I just burst into tears. I am going to print that out and put it on my bulletin board by my desk. Thank you thank you thank you thank you. I cannot tell you how much this all means to me, you all.
Delete....and now I'm crying. Hank...If I could put an emoji heart on this page right now I would do it! Thank you so much, too...Happy Heart Day!
DeleteMy husband and I started dating in 1985, and I believe it was our very first Valentine's Day together that we mutually agreed it was, in our world, a largely commercial holiday and we would not observe it. Fast forward 40 years and we remain happy with that decision. He shows me his love and affection a million times a year in various ways, and we always enjoy a quiet night at home on this particular date. Tonight the highlight will be a scheduled Zoom call with our son in Japan, followed by hambone soup that can simmer through the call.
ReplyDeleteI’m with you on this Susan! I am wary of “forced”-feeling holidays like V-Day… don’t hate it, but I also “feel the love” and romance with hubby throughout the year. A little “happy ____” comment is enough for me!
DeleteI remember punching out the valentines. I was a vinch for years. Had several sweeties, but NEVER received flowers at work from a sweetheart--my friend once gave me tulips on my birthday. I like the Mexican approach to V-D, Dia de Amor y Amistad. Love and friendship both celebrated. My friend (who has Mexican heritage) used to send "Galentines" to her single women friends. I loved it.
ReplyDeleteValentine's Day is an emotional minefield! Having expectations about it makes it even worse, too, and I learned this the hard way. Helping three daughters navigate those choppy waters was also part of my life for a long time. My advice: if you want flowers or chocolates, buy them for yourself. Miley Cyrus has a great song about this, Flowers. My anthem. LOL
ReplyDeleteSteve is not a pushover for greeting card days, and roses have never been my favorites, either, especially not the kind with no fragrance. Besides, our anniversary is in two weeks, and that is usually when we go out for a nice dinner.
I think we will go out for lunch today, and then I'm planning to make homemade lasagna and have our recently widowed neighbor over for dinner. Yes, my dear, dear friend with dementia passed away last week. Not really feeling much like celebrating anything just yet.
Karen, see Jerry's comment above: having your recently widowed neighbor over for supper makes for a wonderful Valentine's Day for you all!
DeleteCondolences on your friends transition ~~ COD dementia is so complex
Deletesorry about your loss Karen, and what a sweet gesture to invite the widower.
DeleteI’m so sorry, Karen, for the loss of your friend. Enjoy your evening reminiscing. — Pat S
DeleteThank you all. She was 93, and he's 83, so we have been making a point of having them over or going out with them frequently. Since her illness, we try to include Frank often, along with other friends who take turns making sure he's not alone.
DeleteI'm so sorry, Karen, and how lovely that you and others are looking out for Frank.
DeleteI enjoyed Valentine's Day as a kid--our school always did the decorated boxes and cards for all in elementary school--and parents brought cookies and juice. None of the other traditions ever made it to our school for junior high or high school--so no bouquets of roses. My oldest brother had a sweet tradition of his own--on Valentine's Day he would give our mom and any sisters still at home a box of chocolates on Valentine's Day.
ReplyDeleteFlora what a sweet brother! He could give lessons on sweetness!
DeleteThat's a lovely brother.
DeleteHappy Valentine’s Day everyone :-) I am coming to you from the car! On the road and on the way home… Talk soon!
ReplyDeleteMy parents got engaged on Valentines Day, six weeks after they met. Dad always made a big deal for Valentine’s Day. Mom and all four daughters always received some sort of gift. (I don’t remember if he gave anything to my brother.)
ReplyDeleteIn school we had the card exchange. I always gave a Valentine card to each classmate. I did not receive one from everyone. Because I was such a shy, quiet kid, I think some people were not aware of my existence! In fourth grade I received a card from an “anonymous admirer!” I have a pretty good idea of who it was, but he never said anything.
I forgot that today is Valentine’s Day. I may treat myself to some chocolate!
DebRo
I never got roses on my desk in high school. Never. And when I was in grade school, the "you must give a valentine to everyone" rule had not been created, so my box was sadly emptier than most of my classmates' boxes.
ReplyDeleteI do remember punching out the valentines for my kids. Fortunately, they went to a small Catholic school so there were rarely more than a dozen cards per kid.
In college, my girlfriends and I celebrated Lincoln's Birthday.
Now, The Hubby used to get me an assortment of truffles. This year, he had a box of my favorite dark-chocolate covered sponge candy shipped from Buffalo (it arrived yesterday and I had a lousy afternoon at work, so I ate a huge piece immediately). We are not card people and rarely go out for dinner on the day. If we do, it'll be tomorrow. And tonight I must bake an apple pie for a spaghetti dinner fundraiser tomorrow, so I do not see eating out in our immediate future. LOL
I have to add, re: the school Valentine's, that I was a pretty low effort mother. As soon as each kid had good enough handwriting to be legible, they printed names on the envelopes - usually with me pushing and prodding the whole way. And these were mostly drug store boxed cards, unless my kid had a special request. (The year Spencer insisted on Bionicles cards, I had to hunt high and low for them.)
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, there were moms who obviously handmade every single elaborate card their kid gave out. It must have taken hours and hours! That, I didn't understand. I mean, as soon as my kids had devoured any candy, their cards went into the recycling bin - and that wasn't me being a mean mom, they just had no interest in them once they'd seen them.
Pat D: back in the Dark Ages when I was in second grade I had a boyfriend. Our teacher (who looked like she flew in on a broom everyday) had a special Valentine mail box. We’d mail our cards and some lucky soul would be the mailman and deliver them. V-Day she went to the back of the classroom to get the box. As she passed by BF leaned across the aisle and kissed my cheek. The whole dang class saw it. But not the teacher.
ReplyDeleteI remember making construction paper bags for our desks in elementary school. Large construction paper folded in half and decorated with crayon drawn hearts and glitter. They hung from our desks and store purchased valentines were added through out the day. Much don't remember much happening after that. Mom always made a sour cherry pie for dad.
ReplyDeleteDeana, I remember the paper bags! My son was of the generation who did the shoe boxes, but we definitely did the decorated paper bags. I had forgotten about that. Thanks!! — Pat S
DeleteI don’t remember any trauma of Valentine’s Day as a child or even in high school. Today is my dear friend’s birthday and there were many years in my twenties that February 14th was celebrated as “Colleen’s birthday”!
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I don’t usually go out on Valentine’s Day, but tonight the eclectic movie theater near us is showing Casablanca so we are going to see that. And, if you save your movie ticket, you get half off on food after the movie! Romance and a good deal!! (I ordered a heart shaped cake pan that will arrive sometime today. I’ll bake his favorite pineapple upside down cake tomorrow when he’s not expecting it!) — Pat S
CASABLANCA! Love.
DeleteMy husband and I have never made a big deal about Valentine’s Day. Husband does the grocery shopping and always brings home flowers, usually roses. These roses are not expensive and can last two weeks. A lot of flower farms in California, flowers are cheaper here.
ReplyDeleteOur local winery is having a very nice dinner with wine pairings tonight. The entire family including adult twins with their spouses are all attending.
A new pair of running shoes I use for racing arrived yesterday. My husband saw and ordered them. I bought him some needed clothes, he does not shop for himself. These are not Valentine’s gifts, just things we do for each other as needed or inspired to do so.
Happy Valentine’s Day to you all.
That sounds lovely! (We do that too, gifts whenever we see them..) Oh, a winery dinner! SO nice, and I hope you are all safe...
DeleteI have several nice things going on this Valentine's weekend. Celebrating tonight with our usual Friday night take-out (yay, I don't have to cook!) and watching the new Bridget Jones movie, which I have so been looking forward to. Tomorrow, a Galentine's lunch with daughter and dear friends. And today we are celebrating our dog Jasmine's 11th birthday. We're not actually sure when she was born as she was a rescue, but we decided Februrary 14th was just about right, and why not give her a little exra love?
ReplyDeleteThe first Valentine's Day when my husband and I were "just friends" on the way to dating, he brought over a huge flower arrangement. (He was the society page editor for the local paper at the time.) I was flabbergasted, but true to his complete inability to even tell a fib, he told me that they had done a story on a local florist who demonstrated how to make beautiful flower arrangements. No one else at the paper wanted it, so that became my only Valentine's Day gift ever. We just did cards from then on, which was fine by me. -- Judy Kidder Browning
ReplyDeleteThat’s fabulous! What a great story!
DeleteI’m being judicious with my comments, because I’m afraid blogger will kick me out. But I am happily and delightedly reading every single one of these — you all have such a fascinating lives!
ReplyDeleteSince I'm just coming off of pneumonia, there's no way I want to get out in the crowds tonight. We're going to order something and pick it up. Philip got me flowers and candy because that's what he thinks he's supposed to do. I got him a book. I just like Valentine's for the red and pink heart decorations and all that cute stuff. I'll post on my FB page some decorations from previous years. Not really into that this year.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I did Valentine's Day for years, and at some point during the past decade, we made a pact to give up any kind of gift (flowers, cards, candy, whatever). All we do is tell each other Happy Valentine's Day whenever we remember it during the day. But I always send a Valentine to my sister and she to me!
ReplyDeleteVases of flowers seems excessive, but our h.s. did have fund-raisers in which students could send each other single flowers with a note, friendly, not just couples. Once a mom had shared worries about her daughter, so I sent her and her best friend flowers. They were so happy.
ReplyDeleteA friend was planning her wedding to be V.Day, until she learned how impossible that would be for flowers, caterer, venue. It's a crazy day. I also prefer 1/2 price chocolate day. ;-) -- Storyteller Mary