Friday, February 14, 2020

A Whole Lotta Lovin'

Thought for the day:  ♪♫ I wish you bluebirds in the spring to give your heart a song to sing... I wish you health, and more than wealth, I wish you love...♫♪ [Rachel Yamagata]


Happy Valentines's Day, y'all! So how do you like my love monkey? I'm not talking about Smarticus; I'm talking about that cute little stuffed monkey in the picture, which he gave me for Valentine's Day a number of years ago. If you squeeze his belly, he gives a wolf whistle, and says in a dirty ol' man kinda voice, I go bananas over you!  Again, I'm talking about the monkey, not Smarticus, although come to think of it, it's exactly the sort of thing he would say. That's why it's such a perfect gift. Forget about jewelry and furs, and all that jazz. A gift that makes me laugh wins me over every time.


[morguefile]

Then again, chocolate ain't bad, either. After all, a box of candy is never the wrong size, right? Although it came darned close to being too large one year. Smarticus gave me a box of chocolates big enough to cover the entire top of the coffee table. I kid you not. Whew! Talk about a LOT of candy! It took me almost a whole hour to eat it all. (Just kidding. It took more like seventy minutes.)

I'll never forget some of the romantic cards and gifts Smarticus has given me over the years. (sigh) We were all of twelve or thirteen the first time he wrote a poem (just for me!) in my autograph book. It went like this: Roses are red; violets are blue. You've got a shape like a B-52. I mean, doesn't that send shivers of sheer delight up and down your spine?

We weren't much older than that when he extended a lovely decorated box toward me, smiled seductively, and told me to open it. When I did, I found a barf-worthy severed finger lying atop a fluffy bed of cotton. It was his finger, of course, stuck through a hole in the box bottom and doctored up to look as disgusting as he could make it. Yeah, I know. Smarticus was a bit of a farticus in those days.

But, what can I say? I married him anyway. How could I not? He's a gen-u-ine original, and even after all these years, he still knows how to make me laugh, and still knows how to make my heart sing.

[morguefile]

Talking about original, have you ever wondered who this St. Valentine fella was and how he came to be associated with a feast day devoted to love? Or why we associate the day with the color red... with red roses in particular... and why we exchange Valentines?

Well, then, you've come to the right place. I've shared this information before, but just in case you missed it or need a refresher course:

Our man Valentine was a priest in Rome during the reign of Claudius the Cruel, an emperor with an unholy affinity for declaring war. In fact, this wacko's wars were so frequent and so unpopular, it got to where very few men were joining the military. The emperor, who was evidently just as stupid as he was cruel, decided the only reason men weren't rushing to fight his wonderful wars was because they were too darned attached to their wives and family. So he came up with the perfect solution. He banned marriages.

Oh, but fear not. Our hero priest continued to perform marriage ceremonies in secret. That is, until the mean ol' emperor found out about it, and had him killed. By beating, stoning, and then beheading. (Talk about overkill.) Valentine died on February 14, 270. (Ah, HA!)

Legend has it that he left a special note for the jailer's daughter, and signed it... from your Valentine. 

So, why the color red, you ask? For obvious reasons, blood red is the color of martyrs. And thanks to the martyred St. Valentine... it also became the color of love. Red roses represent Venus, the goddess of love. And if legend is correct, Valentine himself sent the first Valentine card. St. Valentine's feast day was established in 496, but it didn't become recognized as a lovers' holiday and big day of romance until ten centuries later, when popular belief held that the fourteenth of February marked the start of mating season for birds.

[morguefile]


So, if you consider Valentine's Day to be for the birds... you aren't entirely wrong.









[wikipedia]
At right is an example of a 1909 Valentine's Day card, which I found on Wikipedia. As a young girl, I remember buying big fancy cards for my mother... complete with scented satin hearts on the front and lace around the edges... for the exorbitant price of thirty-five cents. My sweet Smarticus has sent me a bunch of beautiful cards over the years, but he'd still probably be more comfortable with one that said: Roses are red; violets are blue. Sugar is sweet, and so are you... The roses are wilting; the violets are dead. The sugar bowl's empty, and so is your head.

Just kidding. He's actually quite the romantic. (But I sure am glad he didn't know about St. Valentine losing his head over love when we were kids. The finger was bad enough.)



I'm pleased to say he's outgrown sending the shape like a B-52 kinda messages, but he isn't above laughing at them. Neither am I. With sincere thanks to our friend and fellow amateur radio operator Bill, who sent these cards to me, I present to you cards some of the world's most notorious despots might have sent, because ya know... even bad guys need love.



Trying to forget someone you love is like trying to remember someone you never met.

Love is the thing that enables a woman to sing while she mops up the floor after her husband has walked across it in muddy boots.

If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular?

Love doesn't make the world go 'round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile. [Franklin P. Jones]

You can't blame gravity for falling in love.  [Albert Einstein]


[wikipedia]
Lots of things are considered aphrodisiacs... like big red juicy strawberries, and rich dark chocolate... or better yet, big red juicy strawberries dipped in rich dark chocolate...

Um, where was I...?

Oh, yeah. I wanted to tell you guys about one of the best aphrodisiacs of all time. Wanta put your lady love in the mood? Do the dinner dishes. I tell ya, nothing is as sexy to a woman as seeing her man tackling a load of dishes  while she's in the easy chair with her feet propped up... eating strawberries dipped in chocolate. Or if ya reeeeeally want to make her weak in the knees... clean the toilet bowl. 




Put a lotta love in your heart


Anyhow, whether you celebrate in a small way, reeeally BIG, or not at all, I wish you love. Today and every day.

Wouldn't it be nice if we celebrated love...  every day?







                                     
                                          Until next time, take care of yourselves. And each other.





56 comments:

  1. It would be most excellent if we celebrated love each and every day.
    And yes, someone who would do the dishes, clean the toilet AND do the ironing would make me swoon. And nail his feet to the floor so he could never get away.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AND the ironing? Whew! Be still, my heart... Then again, compared to years ago, I do very little ironing, so I'd opt for him to run the vacuum cleaner through the house. (I HATE that job!)

      Delete
  2. Thanks for sharing the love, something we all need. Great post. Have a LOVEly Valentine's Day, hugs, Valerie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep, for sure... the whole world definitely needs more love. Hugs back atcha, sweet lady.

      Delete
  3. I'm very happy that Smarticus still makes you laugh and makes your heart sing. Love to both of you.

    ReplyDelete
  4. You two have been together a very long time - well done! I think my wife would've laughed at the severed finger. She's all about laughing and smiling as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, we sure have. It's hard to believe we're coming up on our 51st anniversary. Your wife sounds like my kinda gal. :)

      Delete
  5. Lovin' and laughin' - that's the key to you success. And I'll say Ray and I aren't too far behind you. Happy Valentine's to you and Smarticus. Hope it's a splendid day full of treats, good health, and smiles.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep, loving and laughing count for a lot. So does good cooking. Like the old PA Dutch saying goes: "Kissing don't last, but good cooking do." I reckon that makes us extra lucky, because the kissing's still going strong, too. :)

      I hope you and your honey had a wonderful day, too.

      Delete
  6. I am extremely lucky - and grateful! - that my husband is both funny and sweet. Every day, not just on Valentine's Day. :)

    Happy Valentine's Day to you both!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sounds like we're BOTH very lucky. We had a loverly day. I hope you did, too. :)

      Delete
  7. I must disagree with you on the woman singing as her love walks across in muddy boots her newly washed floor. I don’t think I would sing, although my singing does sound a lot like my screaming.

    Happy Valentine’s Day, Susan and I hope you and your Smarticus have many smiles today. Laughter is the glue in a marriage.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HA! Good point. Maybe the muddy boots on the clean floor is a bit of a stretch. Smarticus once splattered wood stain on a wall I'd just painted... but I did even worse. I dropped a lit cigarette onto a freshly-laid kitchen floor. As I recollect, neither of us did any singing... :) But we CAN laugh about it now.

      I hope you had a fantabulous Valentine's Day, dear lady. With lots of chocolate. Or wine... or both.

      Delete
  8. Love it! LOL Especially the dish washing idea! Perfect! Even better is cleaning the toilet!
    Terry and I eloped on V-day to many years ago to count. My Valentine post is at Murderous Imaginings' today. for lovers and non lovers alike. Damyanti is on DP.
    I guess if you end up married on the 14th that's romance personified? And a bouquet of roses isn't a bad start. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unfortunately, I don't think most guys ever "get" the notion that simply helping us with a task... just DOING it without offering a rote "Anything I can do?" question. Then again, if Smarticus ever cleaned the toilet, I'd probably have a heart attack. :)

      Yes, getting married on Valentines' Day is verrrry romantic. So... HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, too!

      Delete
  9. Happy Valentines Day. With a husband like yours I know int will be a fun One. Love your Monkey!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. Yep... he has a way of making every day fun. I love that monkey, too... both of 'em! HA

      Delete
  10. Happy V Day, friend Sue:) Love, cat.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, sweetie. I hope you had a loverly day, too. :)

      Delete
  11. Lovely post, Linda! Happy V Day to you and Smarticus. Hubs and I have horrible colds, but we're still spending the day smooching (with chapped lips from so much nose-blowing) and hanging out together.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tsk, tsk, tsk... how soon they forget. My name isn't Linda, but I'll gratefully accept your best wishes for her and my hubby, anyway. :)

      I hope you and you fella are feeling better now.

      Delete
  12. In our house, the position of dishwasher is already taken - that's what children are for :) But here, nothing says "I love you" more than a specially-cooked home made curry.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Our "kid power" moved out a long time ago. :)

      And I hope you provided that "I love you" curry. My hubby doesn't cook. I'm sure he could if he wanted to, but... he doesn't wanna. :)

      Delete
  13. What an absolutely delightful post, Susan. You put a lot of work into this and I enjoyed it all : the Love Monkey, your Valentine memories, the history of Valentine's Day. And I really cracked up over those Commie Valentine cards. Yup, even bad guys need love (I should know....).

    I hope you and Smarticus have a perfectly wonderful V Day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I'm really happy you enjoyed it. (But PSSSST! You AREN'T a bad guy!)

      We did. Thank you.

      Delete
  14. Lol sticking his finger through the hole was a winning idea in my book.

    Funny how they've taken red and made it all lovey dovey when really it was off with your head.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I thought you'd like that finger prank. Hey, you could always teach it to your nephews. (I'm sure their parents would be verrrry appreciative...)

      Well, they DO say some people kinda lose their heads when they fall in love... :)

      Delete
  15. A man who does housework and makes you laugh too--you can't beat that! Happy Valentine's Day to you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's true! (I wonder if such a man exists...)

      Thanks. I hope you had a super Valentine's Day, too.

      Delete
  16. You and a B-52, baby. You should feel proud.

    Love,
    Janie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, absolutely! That was actually a very high-flying compliment...

      Delete
  17. So happy that Smarticus and you will have a wonderful day. Love all the stories.
    parsnip xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. I'm glad you liked it. Have a fabulous weekend!

      Delete
  18. Sorry to be late touring Blogland! Ya know, yours and Smarticus' Love Story may rival anything I've read!
    Think I've shared before, I'm not a fan of history -- but this business of the late St. V is fascinating. And your icing on the cake? Love singing along with Dionne.

    Let the good times roll!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey, you aren't "late." Heck, I haven't even been here! HA

      Thank you. That's a very sweet thing to say. I'm glad you enjoyed the post. Oh yeah... who doesn't love to sing along with Dionne? (Better than Mitch Miller any day!)

      Delete
  19. happy valentine day for you and yours

    love all images and videos

    ReplyDelete
  20. Not many can say that they have been presented with a finger as a gift, and married the recipient, lolol!! I love that you've been together so long!! I also laughed at the term for childhood Smarticus (farticus). :) Here's to better Valentine's with chuckles at the old ones! I hope you had a wonderful day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep, I reckon we're "unique." :) And very very grateful to have been together for so many years.

      We did... and I hope you did, too.

      Delete
  21. Happy Valentine's Day! What a love story!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hi Susan - love all these - especially your special monkey ... such fun - and yes always so happy to know friends who are ecstatically happy with their spouses ... carry on Swiderskis for as long as pos - cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi-ya, Hilary. Yeah, my little monkey is sitting on the shelf nearby, and every time I look at him, he makes me smile.

      Cheers back atcha!

      Delete
  23. Sorry I'm tardy, but stuff imposes. Great post, uplifting! I wish you and Smarticus strength, laughter, happiness. Good Lord! It's nearly 2 in the morning. Excuse me, I have to take this unconscious brain to bed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your tardiness is happily excused, dude. It's always good to hear from you... even at 2 AM. I wish strength, laughter, and happiness right back at you and Norma. This getting old stuff ain't easy! :)

      Delete
  24. If you're looking to burn fat then you certainly need to start following this brand new personalized keto meal plan.

    To produce this keto diet, licensed nutritionists, personal trainers, and cooks joined together to provide keto meal plans that are effective, suitable, economically-efficient, and delightful.

    Since their grand opening in January 2019, thousands of individuals have already completely transformed their figure and well-being with the benefits a great keto meal plan can provide.

    Speaking of benefits: in this link, you'll discover 8 scientifically-tested ones given by the keto meal plan.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Pretty! This was an extremely wonderful post. Thank you for providing this info 메이저사이트

    ReplyDelete
  26. Wonderful, what a blog it is! This weblog gives useful facts to us, keep it up. 경마

    ReplyDelete
  27. Thanks for sharing your info. I truly appreciate your efforts and I will be waiting for your next
    write ups thank you once again. 토토사이트

    ReplyDelete