What a beautiful time of year, don’t you think? It’s finally getting warm in Michigan, the ground and the sky will soon both be grey, the temperature is just warm enough to keep snow from falling and just cold enough to make your cheeks red. Spring is nowhere near yet, and the drudgery of winter is really beginning to wear on me and I’m thinking maybe you too. A great time to celebrate love, don’t you think??

It really IS a good time, actually. Don’t know how it came to be, but February 14 is the perfect time to celebrate warmth and care. Especially here in the temperate zone where spring is like a cake baking in a land far, far away. You can’t smell it yet, but you know Aunt Zelda is probably mixing up a wonderful batch that will be filling the air with fragrant bugs and flowery bird droppings from migratory species.

HUH??

You see, it’s like this… I for one need a nice warm fuzzy holiday at this time of year. I’m sick up and fed with the weather already. It’s a pain in the vinegaroon right now (click on that “vinegaroon” word… you’ll be amazed), and if we don’t get some kind of indication what season it is REALLY supposed to be, I will eat that big pile of dirt over there. See it? That pile of dirt?? Ha ha, I can’t eat it, it’s still frozen. Get my drift now?? Winter doesn’t know whether it’s coming or going. Weird weather… that so-called El Nino thing I guess. Warm one minute and cold the next. I’ve seen goldeneyes (migratory diving ducks) in the river flats, so I guess maybe spring is on the way. Seems like a long way off though. It’s above freezing in the daytime and brrrr-cold at night.

This is me, whining.

Anyway, my professional opinion is: the timing for Valentine’s Day is perfect. We need some warmth… and Valentine’s Day is a warm, fuzzy symbol of love. As I write this today, Friday, February 13, I can’t help thinking… this year is even more special than last year. Know why? Because this Valentine’s Day isn’t here yet, and last year’s is gone. See how I figured that out?? Isn’t that remarkable?? You know, it’s that carpe diem thing.

Sneeze the day.

Seize the sneeze.

Bless you!

Thanks!

Anyhow, Happy Valentine’s Day to all who find these words in front of your eye things. You needn’t have a sweetheart for this holiday… it’s a celebration of love, doggone it! A good excuse to do something nice, just for because. Sell a monkey some used pencils at three for a penny, for example. Or else grind up some beef flavored oatmeal and give your dog a nice treat for supper. Better yet, give all the objects in your home a really endearing nickname and offer to buy them snacks and beverages. If you want to be REALLY weird, do something nice for someone and don’t let them know who did it!

Maybe Valentine’s Day is simply God’s (whoever they are) way of giving us a little reminder that we can be warm and loving on more than just Christmas. Whatever. Just have some fun, be nice and maybe even tell someone you love them. Oh, and don’t eat too much chocolate.

Save some for ME.

Speaking of Love…it’s really all you need, don’t you think? Well… yes, absolutely.