I’ve discovered that most people fall into two groups: those who love Valentine’s Day and those who hate it. Interestingly, it does not seem to be determined by whether is in a relationship or not, sexual orientation, or race.
I’m mildly indifferent to it. This not to say that I didn’t get my wife something, only that I couldn’t tell you, if you gave me bills in large denominations, what I gave her LAST year. Or what she got me.
My favorite Valentine’s Day song is this one. I recommend the album.
Valentine’s Day/ Artist: Steve Earle
Album: I Feel Alright
I come to you with empty hands
I guess I just forgot again
I only got my love to send
On Valentine’s Day
I ain’t got a card to sign
Roses have been hard to find
I only hope that you’ll be mine
On Valentine’s Day
I know that I swore that I wouldn’t forget
I wrote it all down: I lost it I guess
There’s so much I want to say
But all the words just slip away
The way you love me every day
Is Valentine’s Day
If I could I would deliver to you
Diamonds and gold; it’s the least I can do
So if you’ll take my IOU
I could make it up to you
Until then I hope my heart will do
For Valentine’s Day
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Then again, there is a specific recollection of Valentine’s Day five years ago. Five years ago, on Lincoln’s Birthday, my eldest brother-in-law, John Powell, died of colon cancer at the age of 41. He was a technogeek, in the best sense of the word, generous in spirit and in fact, and the biggest cheerleader of Carol and me getting back together when we were apart in 1996-1998. Yes, the funeral was February 14, 2002. Good thoughts to his family, especially his widow Cindy.
***
I just heard that John Scott, a member of my church’s congregation, died recently. He was a very dear man, I was quite fond of him, and I will miss him.
***
180 miles WNW of here, in Oswego, NY, they had 100 inches of snow in less than a week. For the whole winter, Albany has had less than 7 (Nov-trace, Dec-0.3, Jan-3.9, Feb-2.3). That will change today, when the forecast says we’ll get 12 to 24 inches, or more, between 11 pm last night through 6 am tomorrow.
