A little history, if you will, from our lovely hostess, Terri ….
VALENTINE’S DAY
Valentine’s Day began as St. Valentine’s Day, a liturgical celebration of one or more early Christian saints named Valentinus. February 14th, Valentine’s, Day first became associated with romantic love during the High Middle Ages as the tradition of courtly love was then flourishing. During 18th century England, this day evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery and sending Valentine cards.
Credit is traditionally given to Pope Gelasius for declaring February 14 as Saint Valentine’s Day around the year 496 to separate the church from the Roman celebration of Lupercalia, an ancient pagan fertility festival which occurred on February 15th.
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If you'd like, please play along!
Terri believes St. Valentine's Day is for everyone, whether you have a romantic love interest or not. She received a Valentine card from her sister - case in point. It is all about LOVE, not just romantic love. What are your traditions for celebrating Valentine's Day?
Um, that would be my old friends Slim and None.
We'll probably collaborate on a yummy dinner at home.
I used to work with a fellow who -- in lieu of Christmas greetings -- sent Valentine's cards with a pack of wildflower seeds. I think that's so neat! Maybe I'll write myself a note to remember next year.
When you were in elementary school, did you decorate a shoe box and delivery little Valentines to all your classmates? Perhaps in Sunday School?
Rather than decorated shoe boxes (I never heard of that!), we each affixed decorated white bakery bags across the bottom of the chalkboard.
Do you enjoy playing Cupid? Have you ever introduced a couple who really clicked?
I'm a Yenta at heart! But no, I wouldn't want the responsibly for anyone else's happiness -- or hurt.
Which traditional Valentine's Day gift would you rather receive: Chocolate, flowers or a card with a personal message?
I'm not especially fond or chocolate or flowers … so a card would be lovely!
A sampling of my grandma's Valentines....
postmarked February 1911!
What is the best movie to watch on Valentine's Day?
Okay, call me weird. 'Not your traditional 'happily ever after' flicks, but both of these are on my short-list of favorites. No matter how often I've watched, they still make me sob like a baby.
Tell us something random about your week!
Well, I'm pretty sure no-one's interested in hearing me belly-ache about income taxes or our laminate flooring that's begun to buckle.
How about, a plot-less story board?
Inspired by blog-friend Pam (aka, "Ma"), I resurrected this little duck from the hope chest. For a number of years, my mother's passion was 'trading' with the pueblo Indians near our home in northern New Mexico. (I once wrote about that here.) Anyway! As the story goes, I traded a stick of Juicy Fruit chewing gum for it back in '58. (Yes, he/she's lost her head a time or two...)
Grand-loves at Troy University.
Clothing hooks in a consignment shop's dressing room.
Spotted near the entrance to I-65. I was running late to the "Y" but couldn't resist doing a U-turn and going back to capture this!
Finally, a quote to share ...
This really speaks to me!
Have yourselves a sweet day and be safe.
..... Because I love you!
Hugs,
Myra
Interesting Valentines ideas and facts. A few years ago the valentine cards at Christmas with seeds would have been a neat idea, but now, cards are Sherry's thing. Not sure about tradition around here. I usually get chocolates for her, but she complains about the added calories. I LOVE the 1911 'Penny Post Cards'. I cannot that price continued until I was in school in the 40s maybe 50s. WOW
ReplyDeleteImma stop or it will be a novel. As always you throw out so many ideas.......
Sherry & jack
Sorry about the laminate!!!!! ;-(
I love how you and Sherry keep your romance alive!!! Last year in lieu of Christmas cards, I sent Thanksgiving greetings to friends/family who weren't already on social media.
DeleteYour granddaughters are so beautiful! We are bringing a pizza in for dinner tomorrow. Who wants to fight the crowds out and about? Son says they have 180 reservations at the place he works at already for tomorrow night and expect they'll go over 200 by the end of it all. Busy times! I do like that billboard. We should "tattoo" it on our hearts, shouldn't we?
ReplyDeletebetty
WOW. Because leisurely dining is becoming a thing of the past -- especially on holidays -- we don't go out on holidays. Pizza sounds like a wonderful idea!
DeleteI think any Valentine, (or other), gifts should be edible. Whether it is chocolates, or a dinner out or whatever does not matter as long as it is edible.
ReplyDeleteFor our anniversary my wife once said let's go somewhere really expensive. Never mind the cost. So I took her to the gas station and filled the car tank with petrol. It cost more than the value of the car. Then we bought some sandwiches and celebrated in the car park ... edible AND expensive!
Cards are good for you ladies ... because ladies always want reassurance that they are loved. (Can't understand why ... we married you ddion't we?)
Anyway ... instead of spending money on cards for every occasion, I wrote "I love you" on a piece of paper, laminated it, and asked her to look at it whenever she needs reassurance ... cheap AND permanent.
You see, Mevely, I can be romantic after all!
God bless.
Yes, siree! Romantic AND a comedian … lucky lady, your wife!
DeleteThe ones who love us the most on Valentine's Day are the business owners, who gleefully collect our money while we foolishly buy candy, cards, and flowers.
ReplyDeleteIt's unfortunate that only one day a year is set aside for thoughts of love - but the intention is noble....
I used to send Valentine cards to relatives and friends - not as a romantic gesture, but merely as a "thinking of you" sentiment. It's a nice thing to do.
I love chocolates and have admittedly bought Valentine candy for my greedy self numerous times (not this year, however).
I've never heard of decorating shoe boxes at school for V Day. We always used bags - like the bakery bags that you mentioned.
I suppose my favorite romantic movie would be "Wuthering Heights" (the 1939 version).
I do like "Bridges of Madison County" - although I think Clint Eastwood was sorely miscast. In my humble opinion, a romantic leading man should be under the age of 90.....
BTW - I've never played Cupid in my entire life and have no desire to.
Have a wonderful Valentine's Day!!
So true about the suffocating commercialization of most major holidays. LOL-ing about Clint Eastwood ... I used to have the biggest crush on him as Rowdy Yates 'way back when.' Happy V day to you, as well!
DeleteNo, I don't like it, wait Maybe I do, Yes I do. those are soooo cute in the dressing room. appropriate place to put the Be Kind sign, with all the road rage out there. of course it fits everywhere. your grands are so beautiful. chewing gum trade? love it. My mother was valentine queen, and continued to put a valentine at our plate until we were in our 40's. if we were at her house we got a valentine, the kind we used to put in the shoe boxes for school. after I got out of grade school I did not give valentine and I don't want money wasted on them for me. but I love the idea of seeds for flowers since I had a blast with my packet of seeds last summer.
ReplyDeleteHa ... you startled me with your opening line. (Huh???) Good one, my friend. I LOVE your momma's V-day traditions. Too sweet!
DeleteWow, I love that Just Be Kind sign, Myra! What a wonderful reminder for all of us. And I'll take flowers and chocolate any day of the week - lol!
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed day!
Okay, it's a deal! If I get any chocolates or flowers tomorrow I'll send them your way! :)
DeleteOh.. I love Bridges of Madison County. I read the book first and then was pleasantly surprised that the movie was so good! Myra, thanks for joining in today!! Happy Valentine's Day!! xoxox
ReplyDeleteI never actually got around to reading Bridges, but I'm glad to hear the script remained true. That almost never happens!
DeleteValentine's Day was always a special time for me in school as I guess it was for most all of the other kids. We also had the decorated white bags although we affixed ours to the backs of our seats.
ReplyDeleteWhen I went to see Bridges of Madison County in the theater I left in a huff. I had gone to see it alone during a depressing period when I was going through a separation from a wife who had gone off to live with another guy. That was not the movie I wanted to see at that time. I felt sorry for the farmer husband as he seemed like such a decent guy.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Oh wow. Given your situation, I can see where Bridges wasn't a good choice at all! Sad how the unsuspecting farmer's heart was the only one left unbroken.
DeleteI love the Valentine's from your Grandmother! So cool!
ReplyDeleteThat "Just Be Kind" billboard is awesome! I love it! Loved your answers! Happy Valentine's Day!
https://lorisbusylife.blogspot.com/
Thank you so much, Lori ... Happy V-day to you, as well!
DeleteI love your sweet little duck and the story that goes with it. I would so have loved making deals with your mom. I enjoyed making deals with the Navajo when I was in New Mexico...they expected you to dicker with them on the price.
ReplyDeleteThat's so cool. Love knowing someone else can relate to this sort of thing!
DeleteHappy Valentines Day Myra.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rick! Happy Valentines to y'all as well!
DeleteHappy Valentines Day! I love your little brown bird/duck. May it always be a reminder that you are loved !
ReplyDeleteHugs,
'ma'
… and thank you for planting the (bird) seed in my mind, Pam. Happy Valentines Day!
Deletehappy valentines day.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteHappy Valentine's Day to you too! I do love giving gifts to everyone in my family on Valentine's Day. Have a nice weekend.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Debby … you, too!
DeleteOh, I absolutely remember decorating a shoe box for Valentine's Day. With a mailbox-like slot on top to put the cards through, of course. The bad thing about it was some of us got a lot of cards, and some only got a few. When our kids were in school,they had to give a card to every kid in their class, but we weren't so P.C. back in the '50s. I felt sorry for the kids who didn't get many cards, so I always gave one to everybody, even the bullies I didn't like very much. (I guess I was P.C. before it was a thing... :) )
ReplyDeleteI read "Bridges of Madison County," but I didn't like it, so I never saw the movie. Part of me disliked it because it romanticized adultery, but I must admit, the other part was a matter of sour grapes. Allegedly, the author wrote the book in a weekend. On a lark. That annoyed the crap outta me. HA
Have a super weekend. (I have a feeling you don't need a sign to remind you to be kind. I betcha it comes naturally.)
Children can be so unwittingly cruel. Thank you for being kind, even when kind wasn't cool.
DeleteWhat a sweet little bird!
ReplyDelete