BS: Variations on Valentines Day

Subject: BS: Variations on Valentines Day
From: *daylia*
Date: 14 Feb 06 - 11:55 AM

I'm curious about how other "unattached" (but oh-so-lovable) Catters might handle Valentines Day. Does it bug you at all? Do you feel lost? Lonely? Limp? Left out? Or maybe smug? Self-contented? Sniffly? None of the above?

I'm surprised I don't feel any of the usual Feb 14th angst/depression today. Maybe there's something wrong with me! ;-) But maybe it's becuase I bought a little planter for my night-table yesterday, and I woke up to the sweet sight of bright red mini-roses and pink polka-dot leaves in the morning light. I'm still in a good mood!

Gonna pick up my Dad and take him for lunch -- my mom's away on a business trip and he doesn't handle solitude very well. Then I'll get some Valentines treats for my students tonight (more than enough for teacher too of course), and take myself out for a manicure. Hey, maybe even a pedicure! Get'em to paint little golden hearts on all 20 bright red little nails too ...

Anyway, just wondering what other singles do on Valentines (if anything). Have yourselves a most pleasing, loving and joyful day, whatever you do!

♥ daylia

Subject: RE: BS: Variations on Valentines Day
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 14 Feb 06 - 12:06 PM

I have decided to stay at home and have a meal delivered. Total relaxation, watch a little TV, go onto Ebay and seek a bargain or two to suit my antique freak nature. Then watch a video or DVD before retiring to my bed for a good nights sleep, knowing that I will wake in the morning with all the bedcovers!.
Best wishes, Mike.

Subject: RE: BS: Variations on Valentines Day
From: Amos
Date: 14 Feb 06 - 12:08 PM

A bunch of girls in our office just had a giggle-rich gift exchange for V-day. They're just friends, but they enjoyed it immensely.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Variations on Valentines Day
From: GUEST,Wesley S
Date: 14 Feb 06 - 02:08 PM

I'm not single - but I'm staying at home with a sick 5 year old so my wife can go to work. I seem to remember that he was sick last Valentines day too. Hmmmm.....

Subject: RE: BS: Variations on Valentines Day
From: Emma B
Date: 14 Feb 06 - 02:23 PM

"The Lupercalia ritual in Rome was held in the cave itself. Similar rituals held in other parts of the Empire had to use venues symbolic of the cave on Mount Aventine. Two high-born young men stripped naked and sacrificed a dog and a goat. They smeared blood on their foreheads, then wiped it off with wool dipped in milk. The men made a show of laughing (it being important to be jovial, in both senses) and wrapped strips of the goat's hide about themselves. A great feast was then held ~ perhaps involving the remains of the goat.

Finally each man lead a group of near-naked men around the hills and bounds of Rome. These two colleges of priests were called the Luperci Quinctiales and the Luperci Fabiani ~ Mark Anthony being one of the more famous members. Women would line up to be thwacked by the priests with strips of goat skin (presumably the untanned hide would not have been hard enough to hurt!) The belief was that this would improve their chances of pregnancy."

from http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=Lupercalia&btnG=Search&meta=cr%3DcountryUK%7CcountryGB

Well at least it's "traditional" and sounds a lot more fun than a
card from Clintons !

Subject: RE: BS: Variations on Valentines Day
From: Pauline L
Date: 14 Feb 06 - 02:59 PM

Yuk. Thank you for that explanation, Emma B. I'm single and alone, and I'm trying to not think about Valentines Day. For me, it's just another day. I can't believe that I'm just as happy loving my friends, neighbors, students, their cats and dogs, etc. I know no one loves me. ;-(

Subject: RE: BS: Variations on Valentines Day
From: *daylia*
Date: 14 Feb 06 - 03:00 PM

The goat probably founded Clintons.

Subject: RE: BS: Variations on Valentines Day
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 14 Feb 06 - 03:27 PM

Pauline L...I totally sympathise with you as I too sometimes feel the same way, especially on Valentines day and other 'celebration days'. You must admit though that there are some compensations in everyday life...times when we are glad of the space to do as we please, without interruption or scorn....Loads of Love to you today Pauline L.
Best wishes, Mike.

Subject: RE: BS: Variations on Valentines Day
From: Kaleea
Date: 14 Feb 06 - 04:06 PM

Yep, I've been single for alot of years. Which is not to say that I haven't had companionship of the male persuasion. Feller or no, I've had lots of love in my life so far. These days my days are spent looking after my little 15 month old neice who shares plenty of love with me. Today, and the past few days, she is sick--so is her mommy, (also my niece) and I caught the cruds from them. Nevertheless, I am taking care of them both. There's nuthin' like lovin' an out of sorts, screamin' congested little critter who's got some molars comin' in!

Subject: RE: BS: Variations on Valentines Day
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 14 Feb 06 - 04:47 PM

Yes PaulineL I think I recognise you by your 'real' name and I'm sure we met at the Getaway ☺
I send you a virtual Valentine from a lovely, and mild for the time of year, Scotland. Remember it's better to be on your own than to spend time with someone you'd rather not be with, so enjoy your day, and I'll deliver a kiss and a hug should we happen to meet again in Maryland in October.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Variations on Valentines Day
From: Little Hawk
Date: 14 Feb 06 - 04:51 PM

I don't even think about it, Daylia. I didn't realize it WAS Valentine's Day till I opened up the Catbox and took a look a few minutes ago. The only time in my life I can remember thinking much about Valentine's Day was with this one girlfriend I had who took such special days very seriously! I HAD to think about it for the five years I was with her...

Subject: RE: BS: Variations on Valentines Day
From: number 6
Date: 14 Feb 06 - 04:54 PM

It's Valentines Day .... sh^t, I better run down to the Variety store and get my wife something before she get's home!

sIx

Subject: RE: BS: Variations on Valentines Day
From: Pauline L
Date: 14 Feb 06 - 11:20 PM

Georgiansilver (Mike) and Giok, tthank you both so much. You made my day. ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Variations on Valentines Day
From: Peace
Date: 14 Feb 06 - 11:27 PM

Just realized it IS Valentine's Day. Is it always on the 14th of March?

Pauline--I think more people love you than you are aware of. I hope your day was warm and happy and that you dream dreams to make the angels sing.

Subject: RE: BS: Variations on Valentines Day
From: *daylia*
Date: 15 Feb 06 - 07:21 AM

Ditto Pauline -- I ♥ U 2! And I do hope those little ones are better today, Kaleea and Wesley. Too many marshmallow hearts, perhaps?

I dunno, I seem to be just brimming over with loooooooooooooove still. So if you find yourself a little short today, squeak up!

Subject: RE: BS: Variations on Valentines Day
From: gnu
Date: 15 Feb 06 - 01:36 PM

Daylia asked - Does it bug you at all? Do you feel lost? Lonely? Limp? Left out? Or maybe smug? Self-contented? Sniffly? None of the above?

Definitely none of the above... at all. Quite to the contrary, Giok's got it right about being on one's own. About ten years ago, I came to the conclusion that I'd rather be lonely alone than lonely with someone. It's not the best, but it's a helluva lot better.

Subject: RE: BS: Variations on Valentines Day
From: gnomad
Date: 15 Feb 06 - 02:30 PM

As a lifelong batchelor (though I've had my moments) I have generally seen the day as being another of the manufactured festivals in aid of the greetings card industry. Course this may be one of the reasons I am a batchelor.

I suppose that leaves me in the none of the above camp too. Some of those who suffer from romance rather than enjoying it might see it as smugness, but I don't.

Only V/Day anecdote I can offer is from about 20 years ago. A recently married pair friends took me out for a meal as thanks for something. We wondered why a usually quiet restaurant was so busy, and why a request for a table for three seemed to surprise the staff. The penny finally dropped when the little guy selling single roses at even more outrageous prices than usual forgot all his normal patter and just stood mouthing silent astonishment at us.

A good night, and I guess it might qualify as a variation?

Subject: RE: BS: Variations on Valentines Day
From: JennieG
Date: 16 Feb 06 - 06:38 AM

My husband's birthday is on Valentine's Day so we celebrate that instead.

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: Variations on Valentines Day
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Feb 06 - 08:14 PM

On the spur of the moment I bought two single inexpensive roses for two people who have meant something significant to me off and on during my life. Neither one was expecting it. I delivered them personally to their respective places of employment, and neither was at their desk. It was the element of surprise and the unexpected realization that I was thinking of them that they appreciated, I think.

They got a nice surprise and I got a warm fuzzy, so winners all around. It was a great Valentine's Day.

Subject: RE: BS: Variations on Valentines Day
From: gnu
Date: 16 Feb 06 - 08:27 PM

Awwww... nice.

Subject: RE: BS: Variations on Valentines Day
From: *daylia*
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 07:32 AM

Oooo I feel all warm'n fuzzy too, just reading that GUEST. I love giving -- and receiving -- unexpected gifts. I think the most durable Valentines gift I ever receieved was my warm'n'dry'n'cuddly Obermeyer ski suit. Covers me from head to foot. He's been gone almost 10 years now, but the suits still rarin to go.

ANd it's about to get more mileage today -- we've been blessed with yet ANOTHER *snow day* here in Ontariariario. THe ice covering my driveway is a foot thick this morning, and it's pure white out there. Gotta put on the ole Valentines suit, get out the ole snow scoop and the bag of NaCl ...

Only problem with this suit is it's pink. ANd I do mean hot HOT pink. WIth bright flaming red-orange-yellow bands on the shoulders. I swear, you'd never lose me in a blizzard -- but just don't be a rubberneck ok?

Subject: RE: BS: Variations on Valentines Day
From: gnu
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 07:55 AM

NaCl? I hope it's an asphaltic concrete driveway. Oh, and, dont use it near the house foundation... use CaCl or urea near or on any Portland cement concrete.

Subject: RE: BS: Variations on Valentines Day
From: *daylia*
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 08:05 AM

THe driveway is limestone gnu, and I'm not sure what kind of salt this is. There's nothing on the bag except "Sifto Ice Salt -- Made in Canada". Hmmm ... I use kitty litter instead, most days, but today that's just not gonna cut it. I'll mix it half and half, for now, and be sure to ASK next time I buy a bag of salt. Thanks for the tip!

Subject: RE: BS: Variations on Valentines Day
From: Donuel
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 08:39 AM

Celebrate the beheading of St. Valentine.

You may recall he was beheaded for marrying couples who authorities did not want to see get married.

Subject: RE: BS: Variations on Valentines Day
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Feb 06 - 12:27 AM

*daylia* you give good thread ... in your honor there has been considerable thought given to a subject you may be interested in, based on and inspired by a thread you started a while back... stay tuned.