Happy Valentine's Day
Happy Valentine’s Day
Around the world, February 14th is a day known for acknowledging appreciation and celebrating romance and love in different ways.
In Japan, for Valentine’s Day, girls give chocolates to boys, and then on March 14, the boys reciprocate.
In France, love letters and poems are given.
In Italy, chocolates are given with messages inside the wrappers.
In the Philippines, mass marriages take place.
In the United States, it is customary to give cards, gifts, or flowers, perhaps even with a romantic dinner or getaway.
In recent years, the idea of Love Locks has grown in popularity. These started with couples writing their names or initials on a sturdy lock, attaching them to a bridge, and then throwing the key in the river to symbolize unbroken love and love for eternity.
Love locks were placed on love bridges in many European and Asian cities, such as Paris, Rome, Ljubavi, Serbia, Cologne, Salzburg, Moscow, Prague, and Seoul. Even in the U.S., Lock bridges can be found in Agusta, Pittsburg, St. Louis, Napa Valley, and Loveland. Since thousands of locks cause weight problems and can weaken the bridge structure, they are removed but may reappear on fences.
Regifting, A Family Tradition
A Family Tradition
"Regifting is a gift from the heart... that someone else gave you." Unknown.
For my family, regifting is an art form. If it were an Olympic sport, we’d hold more gold metals than Michael Phelps.
As Southerners, we would rather die than cringe or gag at the face of a giver who gives us a less-than-desirable gift, such as elf bedroom slippers, nail clippers for the fifth time in a row, a size 5X sweater when you wear a medium, or dish towels that shrink to 10% of their original size.
We swallow any bile, smile politely, and say, “You shouldn’t have.” Or “How thoughtful.”
This means, “You shouldn’t have.” And “I know it’s the thought that counts, but what were you thinking?”
So, we gently store them away in a dark closet and hope for an opportunity to gift the item to an unsuspecting victim at a later date.
"Regifting is the art of saving money and saving face simultaneously." – Unknown
Regifting is a sad win/win. Someone thought enough to give us a gift they thought we would like. However, we can make someone else's day special with a gift they might like.
Or not.
Perhaps the gift is perfect, or they will smile and say, “You shouldn’t have,” or “How thoughtful.”
It could be that she is also a regifter.
Tis The Season...
Tis the Season to be Jolly....
I can’t believe it’s December. Where did the time go? It should be September with the air conditioner on. Yet, I’m wearing double thermal underwear, wool socks, a turtleneck, and an Icelandic sweater. Perfect for Iceland, but coastal North Carolina? And snow? I cringe watching the weather channel for the Northeast. I’d never survive.
There might be frost or a few snowflakes in the morning, but not much else. We wish for snow in February, and even then, one-fourth of an inch is typical, which causes schools and most businesses to close. But we don’t have the equipment to clear the roads, and I would rather become a hermit than drive in it.
One might say I’m a chicken.
One would be right.
The last time I saw snow in coastal North Carolina at Christmas was in 1989. Twenty-four inches piled up, and with the wind, over three feet of snow drifts accumulated around my front doorstep. It was beautiful but highly unusual.
I was a science teacher at Brewster Middle School in Camp Lejeune, and my spouse, Scott, a US Marine Captain, was stationed in Panama as a Detachment Commander. His duty was securing the Americas Bridge during Operation Just Cause.
Scott left me with Casey, our miniature Schnauzer—some guard dog. How could you take him seriously prancing with a yellow round squeak toy in the side of his mouth or by pulverizing a stuffed animal that looked like him? Fortunately, he was amusing, and he kept me company.
During that snowstorm, Casey went out the front door; he missed the steps and fell into the void between the steps and the shrubbery. It was like watching him at the bottom of a white pond, not knowing how to swim. Once he got his bearings, he burrowed into the snow, making a tunnel to dig himself out. When the mole surfaced, he bounced like a sheep, bounding across the lawn and chasing imaginary prey. I had to laugh.
Later that day, I let Casey out the back door for… you know. Several minutes later, he scratched on the storm door to come back inside. The snow dislodged from the roof and fell on him in a heap. I laughed even harder. With all his frolicking, he morphed into a Schnauzer version of the abominable snow pup. His snowball-laden face and fur had to be defrosted in the kitchen sink. Fortunately, I caught both events on video and considered submitting them to a television show, but I forgot where I put the VHS tape. I suspect Casey either ate it or buried it.
The Blue Lagoon and My Glasses
Iceland’s Blue Lagoon and My Glasses
I visited Iceland in October. It was extraordinary. One of the unique features to experience is the geothermal pools, which are found in several places across the island. Naturally, these become tourist attractions, and the most famous is Blue Lagoon, and I spent several hours there.
The facility had refined their spa treatment procedures into a fine science: registration for all the amenities at a higher price than if booked online elsewhere, an electronic bracelet that locked and opened your locker, a person handling out a folded white terry robe too small to belt, an open changing station with one bench that’s shared with six other women, and shower stalls that don’t lock- why would they? Scandinavian and European countries don’t mind seeing naked bodies of all shapes. Sadly, I avoid looking at my body at all costs. And I hate to think that someone would be subjected to see it. Trust me, I look better in the dark.
Imagining that I was alone in the dressing room, I got through the “naked” thing and dressed in swimming shorts, a top, and a rash guard long-sleeve shirt appropriate for beach and boat wear for North Carolina. It was probably equivalent to the bathing costumes of the 1920s.
Everyone had to shower, wash their hair, and use a conditioner before entering the water. I also left my cane attached to my Nike water shoes and robe at the entrance, then met my son, Will, to enter down a ramp into the water. The air was frigid, and the wind picked up. I ducked under quickly and was rewarded with very warm water.
Geothermal water filled the lagoon’s basin, creating the strangest water I’ve ever been in; it was a cloudy light blue. Moving from place to place within the pool, the temperature changed dramatically from bathtub warm to almost a steaming hot tub. It was heavenly. Since my son and his friend ditched me, after receiving a complimentary glass of sparkling cider. I was alone to wander among the smooching couples and familial groups until I found the elixir of the lagoon- the mask area. In a kiosk overhanging the water was a technician spooning out facial mask products. She saw my bracelet and gave me a spoonful of black goo.
“This is a lava mask. It will exfoliate your skin. Spread it over your face and wait two minutes before washing it off.”
November Celebrations
November has two wonderful celebrations: Thanksgiving and the US Marine Corps Birthday. This year, Thanksgiving is on Thursday, November 28th. I love the various food types- those recognizable and mine which might look edible but always come with packets of Alka Seltzer, and the decadent desserts.
Scott, my husband, anticipates ordering everything from Honey Baked Ham without fearing setting my kitchen on fire.
The Pilgrims had a terrific idea to share our bounty with others while praising God for all our blessings. I wonder if they played catch with pumpkins.
The other great celebration is the Marine Corps Birthday on Sunday, November 10th. On this day in 1775, in Tun Tavern, Philadelphia, the Continental Marines became an Armed Force for the Revolutionary War.
The Marines' motto is “Semper Fidelis,” which means “always faithful.” In 1987, we had a military wedding, and my ring is engraved with “Semper,” for always. His wedding ring is engraved with “I love you.” Unfortunately, the Marine Corps doesn’t have a Latin phrase for that.
Scott, retired as a Colonel in the USMC after thirty years, and I was privileged to be a Marine spouse for the last nineteen years. In that time, I’ve been to over two dozen Marine Corps Birthday Balls, watched the celebrations, ate cake, and with Scott knocked people off the dance floor with our combat dancing.
This year, the USMC turns 249 years old, and Scott doesn’t look a day over 50.
Happy Birthday, Marines.
Ooh Rah!
In Remembrance of 9-11
Flags are flying half-staff today in remembrance of the events that took place on Tuesday, September 11, 2011. And rightly so. Most Americans back then believed that simultaneous terrorist attacks could never happen to the United States of America, but they did. I watched in horror, as did most of the nation, while they aired on national television.
The Twin Towers. The Pentagon. Shanksville, Pennsylvania. For over a decade, those four coordinated acts of terror affected and altered the lives of millions of citizens. From those on the front lines to those who were inspired to go to the front lines, our nation’s citizens held the memory of that day to be as significant for my generation as the bombing of Pearl Harbor was for a previous one.
Where were you on 9-11? If you remember that day, then you have a story to tell. I remember that day well, and I’d like to share my story about that time.
A Model Child
I volunteered at the Emerald Isle Recreation Center for the Day 4 Kids event today, sitting behind a table for the Friends of the Western Carteret Public Library. Our goal was to reach out to parents and make them aware of the library programs and how the Friends support the library, and we provided a word search for young and older children to complete. If they found 2 words, they would receive a bookmark and a coupon for a free book at our Second Chances used bookstore at the library.
One child who approached the table was a beautiful little girl with long blonde hair and wearing a white cheerleader uniform. Rather than circling the words, she drew circles, squares, and squiggly lines on the margin.
I asked, “How old are you?”
“I’m two.”
Her brother stood beside her and actively worked on the word search without glancing at her. When I looked up, her mother wasn’t standing with her. I scanned the gymnasium, and she was nowhere to be found.
The little girl realized her mother was also gone and asked, “Where’s mommy?”
I replied, “I don’t know.”
The little girl panicked. She looked all around her, calling “Mommy.” When she didn’t find her mother, she left the table and headed to the table manned by the local Police Department. She approached a policeman and said, “Where’s mommy?”
She grabbed his hand, and they walked together around the gymnasium until she spotted her father. Once assured that she wasn’t alone, she returned to our table and picked up the pencil to work on her word search.
Several minutes passed, and my imagination went into overdrive with the possibilities. Before I could talk to the policeman, Mommy appeared. She had gone to the restroom but failed to mention it.
I’m thankful she came back!
I explained how her daughter had acted by going to get the policeman, and she wasn’t surprised. At two years old, this little girl knew who to trust.
If only I could reverse that gray hair I got from worrying
Fry Baby Fry
My favorite food group is fried. French fries, onion rings, okra, summer veggies, founder, and green tomatoes. Don’t forget the fried mozzarella sticks, ice cream, and Twinkies.
I’m Southern. What can I say?
It Happened Again
In case you haven’t figured it out, things happen to me. Just like the title of my book, It Only Happens To Me…