Valentine's Day: Gotta love it

Valentine’s Day again, and we’re still up to our eyeballs in snow around here. I don’t see anyone in my house running out in search of the perfect greeting card. Been there, done that, as they say, and came to the conclusion it’s easier – and, by the way, cheaper – to just come out and say it: “Let’s eat out.” After all these years, that’s our love language.

But all these hearts and flowers in the air got me thinking about some things I do love. So, in no particular order, I give you a short list of my favorite things. Feel free to make adjustments to suit your lifestyle and beliefs.

For starters, being the dead of winter, I love a gentle summer rain. And chocolate chip cookies. The music of Rod Stewart and Elvis. Give me an evening of Cary Grant films and a bowl of popcorn and I’m a happy camper. YouTube videos of babies and toddlers. Christmas Eve alone with tree lights, candles and Kenny G on the saxophone. Oh, add a glass of wine to that scenario.

When the weather allows, bed linens fresh from the clothesline. Lunch with friends. Golden retrievers, particularly my granddog, the late Winnie. And I’m not even a dog person, but she won me over. And I love not having to be somewhere first thing in the morning. I need time to get my brain going, usually with a little Wordle and Connections. And a cup of tea.

I will always make time for a lengthy conversation with an old friend. Another day brightener is hearing from our adult grandkids, especially knowing how busy their lives are. It warms my heart when they take a moment to say they’re thinking of us. A good day is a day without a doctor appointment. People that make me laugh. We need more of that. We have a nephew that cracks me up with his storytelling abilities. I love how he laughs at his own stories. We need more laughter.

America. Yes, I admit it. I love this country, despite all the negative stuff the media (not the Medina Weekly!) throws at us. And I cry every time I hear Lee Greenwood’s “Proud to Be an American,” and I have since the first time I heard that song in the aftermath of 9/11. And yes, we proudly fly the flag. Along those lines, I love being free to share my thoughts with you good people.

I also love two things about spring – being able to bend low enough to smell the lily of the valley in my front yard. Yes, that was two things. I may not love, but I like having enough money in the checking account to pay the monthly bills. I hate that they’re no longer with us, but I love the memories of friends and loved ones who have gone on ahead of us. I recently discovered large print and am loving not having to give up reading.

I love sharing a glass of wine with dear friends on the patio on a warm summer evening. Bare feet in warm sand. Hummingbirds and bluebirds. The gentle tinkling of wind chimes on a summer breeze. And yes, I love the fact that Ol’ Bill and I are still together and enjoying one another’s company after all these years. We are blessed that at this age, we still live independently in the home we built more than 50 years ago and that, for the most part, we are still coherent.

And have a sense of humor.

Give your honey a hug. And a Snickers bar – what the heck! Happy Valentine’s Day.