February 14, 2013 - St. Valentines Day

So. We're halfway through the month of February. Six weeks into the year. Twelve days past the Ground Hog's Day prediction of an early spring. Four days past the Chinese New Year that welcomed in the Year of the Snake. And we're at the most romantic of holidays, Valentine's Day. St. Valentine's Day celebrates the feast day of at least two St. Valentines (Valintinus of Rome and of Terni and possibly a third who went to Africa and was martyred there). Valentine's Day's link with romance was not created by the greeting card companies. In fact, it was the great English poet, Geoffrey Chaucer who is to blame. The first recorded association of Valentine's Day with romantic love is in "Parlement of Foules" (1382) (The Parliament of Fowls) where Chaucer wrote "For this was on St. Valentine's Day when every bird comes there to choose his mate". Ever since that association, February 14th has been a day to send heart-shaped valentines, and exchange love tokens - usually in the form of candy (preferably chocolate which wasn't available until 1650 or there abouts in Europe) and flowers. If you are reading this on Thursday, February 14th and you haven't given your sweetie some sort of love token, I suggest you put the paper down and drive to a gas station, or pharmacy, or grocery store and do something about it now. There are cards and candy and roses everywhere! If you have been forethoughtful, then cast your eyes down the page to see a fine selection of new books that are at your public library. Enjoy!