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Valentines, Olympics and springV. O. and S. were almost too much for this old fellow to take all at once. I can remember the days, a long time ago, when I slaved over a piece of red construction paper and a crayon at school making an "I Love You Mom" to be proudly taken home for the ice box door. Her hugs and kisses were still appreciated, and would not be surreptitiously shrugged and wiped away until a few years later, when I started creating school valentines for the cute little redhead sitting five seats ahead of me. No shrugging here if she accepted it from her ambitious admirer in the back row. Remember the elation and disappointment of Valentine's Day during adolescence, all the highs and lows as newly discovered hormones coursed through our systems? This was previous to today's excessive commercialism but youthful enthusiasm prevented forgetting the big event. It was the day to start the plans for spring conquests when the hormones behaved even more violently with the hope of summer holiday follow through. This year despite the constant media bombardment to buy roses, chocolate and wine, I was neglectful. I tried to blame the Olympiad distraction but my lack of enthusiasm for that bit of conniving commercialism is too well known and there I was on the eve of a romantic voyage without a ticket. Living where we do makes it difficult to overcome such delinquency. Our local stores do not usually stock big heart shaped boxes of chocolates. There was little advertising by local restaurants of candle lit, wine enhanced aphrodisiac menus and the last rose on the Mazinaw succumbed to frost many months ago. What to do? This curious and invigorating relationship between woman and man is difficult to fathom and perhaps it shouldn't be delved into too deeply. It is probably wise just to lay back and enjoy it. It is better not to meddle with a good thing. "If it ain't broke - don't fix it" seems like a good philosophy to follow, but all the philosophizing in the world would not get me out of this pickle. The day arrived. A hastily downloaded gooey card onto the computer greeted my loved one and set the tone for the day. Our hand-in-hand walk along the Mazinaw shoreline in the strengthening rays of sunshine and standing shoulder to shoulder while gazing at majestic Bon Echo Rock across the ice was a far more satisfying experience than tearing around the countryside looking for commercial entertainment. Would a private candle-lit home cooked meal with a bottle of wine set the tone for a quiet and satisfying evening together? The whole process set us mutually musing. Remember, "Those who muse together fuse together."Why do we have to be entertained so much? Can we not bear our own company? Are we so discontent with ourselves that we must continually party with others? Valentines are symbols of a couple in love therefore no others need be involved and with mutual love and respect all year it shouldn't need artificial commercial boosting on a particular day. I am a little suspicious that the sponsors of the valentine paraphernalia are more interested in their wallets than my romantic wellbeing. And Olympics! Completely ignored; there are more exciting and satisfying possibilities on a couch than sitting to watch a judge pare a score while evaluating figure skating. And spring, the herald of summer, is the time when old blood bubbles a bit more enthusiastically from the relief of another winter almost over. Valentines, Olympics and spring all together! What a great adventure participating in two important facets of life!
