Love Quotes for February – Wilde
20
02, 2019
18
02, 2019
What to do as Winter gives way to Spring
I read in a weather blog recently that “February is not Houston’s prettiest month” and I have to say, how true.
February in Texas is the March of mountain states. Both are the months when Mother Nature is trying to transition to Spring. Skies are gray and the ground is yucky.
In the higher altitudes that means mud and slush as snow melts. You can’t ski, you can’t ATV, you can’t hike without getting dirty. Best thing to do is stay inside and read or do jigsaw puzzles.
Now that we’re back in the Houston area, February is our March. There’s no snow to melt or icy slush on the sidewalks. Nope. We have dreary, overcast days and endless misty, rainy days.
The temperature is like the wildest roller coaster you can imagine. One day will be cold and damp, the next a warm eighty degrees. Or, that can happen all in one day.
It’s not pretty.
What I do when I can’t be outside is the same thing I did in Colorado. I work puzzles.
And, write, of course.
Working on puzzles actually helps me solve stubborn plot problems and characterization issues. A different part of my brain begins to work in the background.
Then, as the pieces of the puzzle come together, that other part of my brain sorts out the plot and characterization issues until everything comes together. By the time the puzzle’s complete, I usually have a solution for my writing dilemma.
On a recent cloudy day that kept spitting rain, which often makes me colder than those sub-zero days in Colorado, I pulled out one of the dozen or so puzzles I’d packed nineteen months ago.
It’s not a new puzzle. I’d worked it before. It’s a winter scene with snow and snowflakes to help me remember how winter was before.
I didn’t get to spread it out on the large puzzle table by a roaring fire like I did in our mountain home. That puzzle table stayed behind because it wouldn’t fit in the smaller space here.
I used a card table and discovered it works just fine for puzzles with a smaller number of pieces, which I really prefer. Those 1,000 piece puzzles, beside being so large, take forever to complete. I get impatient.
How about you? What do you do when the unpretty months between winter and spring arrive in your locale?
13
02, 2019
11
02, 2019
Valentine cards – the legend and origin
As a writer of love stories, February 14th is one of my very favorite holidays. As a history buff, I love the legend and the origin of sending valentine cards. Valentines are the mirror of romance.
The LEGEND
A real priest who lived in 270 A.D., Saint Valentine provided Christians with sacraments outlawed by the Roman Empire such as marriage for soldiers forbidden to marry and baptism.
Around 498 A.D., Pope Gelasius honored Valentinus by declaring February 14th as St. Valentine’s Day. The day now appears in the calendar of saints in the Anglican Communion and the Lutheran Church.
Saint Valentine is said to have cut hearts from parchment, giving them to the soldiers and persecuted Christians to “remind them of God’s love and to encourage them to remain faithful Christians.”
That action, whether fable or real, began the custom of giving cards and reminders to loved ones on February 14.
THE ORIGIN
In spite of technology and ecards retail Valentine card sales continue to grow. It’s estimated that about 145 million Valentine’s Day cards are purchased each year.
Artist Esther Howland (1828–1904) was the first to publish and sell Valentine cards in the United States. Before Esther, the cards were hand made with paper, lace, and ribbons and handwritten poetry. The American Antiquarian Society in Worcester holds a large collection of her valentines.
Most Valentines were mass-produced by machine by the end of the 19th century. Creative people like my friend still send handmade cards.
If you read my blog often, you know I collect vintage holiday post cards. Here are my favorite Valentines. While not as elaborate, I love the way these cards speak of romance.
Valentines express our love to others. Will you send valentines to show someone you love them this Valentine’s Day?
8
02, 2019
A Three Shirt Day
A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara
Wednesday was a three-shirt day. It started out fine. I made it through five classes and lunch with a clean shirt.
Then I decided a cold drink from Starbucks sounded great so I mobile ordered, but my card didn’t have enough money. I tried to add money but couldn’t remember my password.
After several attempts I gave up and went home. There was coffee in the fridge so I just added chocolate milk to make my own iced mocha. In the process I splashed coffee down the front of shirt number 1.
I changed shirts and went to the high school to pick up Bill. On the way I dumped coffee down the front of shirt number 2.
Fortunately, the skirt I was wearing had many colors so I was able to find shirt number 3 to match so I could look a little professional as I taught piano lessons.
Today was Happy Hour at Starbucks. I was able to reset my password and reload my card. Bill and I got cherry mochas after school.
I am also happy to report there is no coffee on the front of my shirt today. There may be chicken footprints on the back.
6
02, 2019
4
02, 2019
It’s February and Love is in the Air
Hearts are everywhere. 
Commercials are pushing chocolates, wine, fancy dinners, lingerie, and Hallmark cards. Florists are offering specials on roses. Love songs flow from the airways.
The commercialization bothers me a bit. The statistics stagger me.
The National Retail Federation anticipates $19.6 billion in Valentine expenditures this year, up from $18.2 billion last year. Those 25-34 will be the biggest spenders at an average of $202.76.This year’s survey broke expenditure averages down this way:
$88.98 on their significant other/spouse ($12.1 billion)
$25.29 on other family members such as children or parents ($3.5 billion)
$7.26 on children’s classmates/teachers ($991 million)
$7.19 on friends ($982 million)
$5.50 on pets ($751 million)
$4.79 on co-workers ($654 million)
Cards, flowers, jewelry, and fine dinners are all very romantic gestures to express love on this special day. If you have the funds and want to be extravagant, who am I to stop you? Go for it!
BUT, I’d like to suggest gifts don’t have to involve great expense. Nothing’s better than a homemade Valentine card or a home cooked meal served by candlelight.
Need ideas: Check the February editions of magazines or Pinterest. Most are loaded with DIY ideas for valentine cards and gifts.
More important, remember, it’s the day-to-day things that really show true love.
- A hug
- A back rub after a tiring day
- An affirming text that arrives at the perfect moment
- Holding hands
And, if you’re shy about expressing yourself with words or cards , you can always give a sign for I love you from Signing Savvy.
1
02, 2019
A Dog and His Raccoon
A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara
Tucker (first of our six dachshunds) loves toys, especially if they squeak. He has been known to pull the squeaker out of a toy in 5 minutes flat.
Rachel made it her mission to find a squeaky toy that can outlast Tucker. It looks like she has succeeded: Meet Raccoon-
Raccoon actually has two squeakers – one in the middle and one in the tail. Both are still working which can get annoying first thing in the morning.
Raccoon regularly goes outside with Tucker. He likes for someone to throw the toy but it doesn’t really go far.
Sometimes he leaves Raccoon outside and it rains and Raccoon has to get a bath. Tucker is quite distressed to be without Raccoon, so Rachel has several back-up squeaky toys that help distract him.
Tucker is always happy to see Raccoon again. He really didn’t understand why it had to be clean.
Now when he comes in without Raccoon we tell him “Go get your toy” and he goes back out to find it.
After all, a dog needs to have his raccoon with him at all times.
30
01, 2019
28
01, 2019
Starting 2019 with S.M.A.R.T. goals
It’s the end of January. By now, I’m guessing that one or more of your New Year’s resolutions has already failed. Statistics back me up. According to U.S. News approximately 80% of resolutions fail by the second week of February.
So why such poor odds for success? I’m guessing the reason for failure was vagueness.
Pablo Picasso said, “Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success.”
I agree with Picasso. I’ll show you why.
Let’s look at a couple of my New Year’s resolutions.
- Lose weight
- Exercise more
Great goals, but very hard to stick with because there’s no focus.
Enter SMART goals which are:
- S -Specific (and Strategic)
- M – Measurable
- A – Attainable
- R – Relevant (results oriented)
- T – Time-framed
My New Year resolutions restated as SMART goals:
- Lose two pounds per month.
- Exercise at the pool three times a week.
See the difference when the goal is SMART?
There’s a target. A way to measure success.
Your goals or resolutions will be different from mine, or not. That’s understandable. BUT, are your goals for 2019 S.M.A.R.T.?
Whatever goals you’ve chosen, restating as SMART goals can help ensure success. A measurable goal underscores a tangible outcome.
Good luck. Me, I’m off to the gym I have two pounds to drop this week.