Another month has gone by. Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. Another attempt at commercialization of our society. I had no idea about this holiday and the associated customs when I was younger, because at that time I lived in the Netherlands. When I was in fourth grade, in 1957, a girl from our class emigrated to the US, with her family. I thought it would be nice to be a pen pal to her and wrote her a nice letter. When she wrote back, some time later, she had included a “valentine.” She explained that all the boys and girls in the US were exchanging these small cards with loving texts on them during the event called”Valentine’s Day. I still remember the small silky red hearts and the saying on this card: “I love you, and it’s not puppy love”
I guess it is a good thing that we married in 1965. This just goes to show that she was absolutely serious about this little card she had sent me.
We have had a very long cold spell, with temperatures remaining well below freezing for weeks on end. We had planned to remain near home in Des Moines this winter. I guess putting up with a deep freeze, is preferable over getting stuck in a blizzard; “weather” by car at an airport.
I have been making things. Sjoelbakken for our children, and model Harley Road King for my bride. The activity keeps me warm and occupied. After a roto-rooter job on my left sinuses I breathe much better and have stopped snoring as well. March is coming...
