TWENTY-EIGHT DAYS of LOVE....Day 7

 

Today is Sunday! It’s Super Bowl Sunday if you’re a football fan. The local team an hour and half from me, the Tampa Bay Bucs, are in the big game and playing in their home field. This is the first time a team in the super bowl plays in their home stadium.  Yesterday I had to run out to few stores.  They were packed at both liquor store where they all said to us as we left “Go Bucs”; and the same at the grocery store.  I just smiled as not everyone is a football fan. 

Enough said. 

On Friday Terry’s daily odd word was DAUNTLESS and yesterday, Saturday, it was ECSTATIC.   I decided to write one piece using both of the words.  It was fun to do as I thought about it centering around Valentine’s Day and couples who have plans. 

The Valentine’s Day word today was DEAR/DEAREST.  I was undecided how to use the words but the conclusion was to do a piece about pet names.  I came up with the piece that a lot of couples use darling and sweetheart; so it focuses that those two words being overrated.  

I went with idea of a card verse for the second piece.  

Again I did a piece using the four wacky holidays for February 6th.  

     A Valentine Story from my past.  

A few years ago I purchased tote bags from a company in the color red with the words in black lettering: MY BITCH BAG.  We sold them as a fundraiser for an organization which I am member.  It was around Valentine’s Day so I made up the bag with a few little things to sell.  This included plastic drinking vessels that would blink when activated.  (We purchased ten from a store for this purpose.)  Also one of my books of love poems were included plus a small teddy bear and small box of Hershey kisses we put together.  All in all it cost us about eight dollars to do this and we sold them for $15.  We were at a veterans fair selling POW/MIA items as well as passing out information on our organization.  I took six of the bags with me in case anyone interested. A man at another booth stopped by and saw them.  He ended up getting three (for his wife and two adult daughters).  He then asked if he could just purchase the other bags without all the goodies. Yes of course; a reasonable price.  The remaining items I was able to put into three Valentine’s bags I brought along (a last minute decision) to have them with me. I think we sold more in Valentine’s items than in the other things we had.  Actually we had POW/MIA earrings and we actually were able to make gifts with them for a few guys to give.  It was quite funny this happened as it was only a last minute idea to make up gift bags.  Unfortunately we did not do it again but it was a good day to get our organization information out there.  

Valentine’s Day is a week away.  

Until tomorrow....have a great Sunday and as always Stay Safe. 

💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞

                    THEIR LOVEY NAMES 

She called him dear

Sometimes dearest

But never called him darling

He called her sweetie

Sometimes sweetie pie

But never called her sweetheart

They felt darling and sweetheart 

    were too overrated 

  ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

                    FOREVER LOVE 

      (A Card Verse For Valentine’s Day)

On this day of love my dear

Words can not express my feelings

You have the key to unlock my heart

Something I don’t give so easily 

My dearest one all I can say is 

  that my love is true

So on this day of hearts and flowers

 I will always and forever love you

    💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓           

                        DATE PLANS 

She could be dauntless at times

  taking on challenges.....fearing nothing 

 Plan A for their Valentine’s Day date booked 

The zip line date had her ecstatic 

It would indeed be an adventure 

Something which to talk about for years    

She only hoped he did not chicken out

Of course Plan B  for their Valentine’s 

     celebration was reserved 

Boring romantic dinner at the Italian 

       restaurant 

🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

     WACKY HOLIDAYS FEBRUARY 6th

   (International Frozen Yogurt Day; Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day; Canadian Maple Syrup Day and National Chopsticks Day)

Decided to celebrate the wacky holidays      

    today....all centered around eating

Breakfast time a bowl of vanilla ice cream

 with a strawberries and whipped cream 

A mid-morning snack of a waffle with      

     Canadian maple syrup....a gift from a 

          friend

Frozen strawberry yogurt bar with chocolate 

       made a tasty lunchtime dessert 

After trying again to maneuver chopsticks

  to eat my low mein....a lost cause for sure

Now it’s time for supper....a salad what else 

TWENTY-EIGHT DAYS of LOVE....Day 6

 

The other day I had to pick up a cake I ordered from the bakery of the local grocery store.  As I walked inside the first thing I noticed was the display of Valentine’s Day candy and other items for the day.  As I like funky socks, I picked up a pair of red and pink socks.  I then noticed coffee mugs, plastic drinking vessels, teddy bears, cookie cutters shaped into a heart and naturally let’s not forget all types of candy. There was a buy one box get one free deal of a rather popular chocolate company.  I could not pass it up as my husband and I discussed about giving a few of our favorite people candy.  There was a woman going to town picking up the boxes also.  I wonder if she were buying for a large group due to the amount she had.  Now I understand yes, BOGO, but does someone need that much candy?  She actually asked if I needed my two boxes as she explained she was buying gifts and needed a few more. I said well I’m buying gifts also. Of course these boxes were not heart in shape.  There were many sizes and prices of those available from cutesy to elegant.   

Valentine’s Day it seems is another rather overspending holiday if you’re buying for someone.  Flowers, roses especially, are rather pricey.  One year a week before the holiday I saw a sign listing a dozen roses at $19.99 but on Valentine’s Day I saw a sign outside the same business listing roses at $49.99.  

I could go on and on, but I think you understand where I’m going. 

Yesterday’s Valentine’s Day word was BOX of CHOCOLATES.  Now I’m getting curious about when candy first came out in a heart shaped box; I researched.  Interesting definitely and so I did a history verse ( no need to thank me for educating you).  

It is true about the boxes being kept.  In fact I’ve even seen the empty heart shape candy boxes at a thrift store years ago.  

I wrote a whimsical piece about the wacky holidays of February 5th.  I use to be a bubble gum chewer but no more.  

It’s Saturday and I realize I need to venture out to the grocery store.  No doubt it’ll be crazy because everyone will be stocking up to watch the football game tomorrow night. 

I’m stocking up cause I need few things.  

Until tomorrow....enjoy today as wacky holidays are:

  National Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast; international Frozen Yogurt Day; National Chopsticks Day and Canadian Maple Syrup Day.  As always Stay Safe.  

💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓

       HISTORY LESSON IN MY OPINION 

Richard Cadbury, a chocolatier 

   credited with the creation 

 of the first heart shape box 

   1861 it happened in England 

A marketing tool indeed 

   with two purposes 

  Fancy container for chocolates 

    and the keepsake box

    too pretty to throw away

A reusable box to store mementos

  reminder to the recipient of love from the 

        giver 

Seems to be the first use of repurposing or 

    recycling 

    Or in my opinion

💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓

                     MEMORY BOX 

Boxes of heart shape chocolates

A tradition on Valentine’s Day

A big red bow for decoration 

After the candies are eaten and gone

The box can be used for storing memories 

I have a box from when I was thirty 

It now contains thirty years of Valentine’s 

From time to time I open it up 

Read the cards....and think of days with him 

💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓

         ANOTHER MONEY MAKING DAY 

Box of chocolates.....a dozen roses

A card with a big red heart

Bottle of champagne....a romantic dinner 

Jewelry and a teddy bear with a red bow tie 

All symbols of love given on Valentine’s Day

I’d rather gestures shown each day of the     

    year

Valentine’s Day just another holiday for      

     overspending 

💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓

          FEBRUARY 5th WACKY HOLIDAYS 

(National Weather Person’s Day; National Nutella Day; Shower With a Friend Day and Bubble Gum Day)

My rubber ducky, my bath time friend,

    sits next to the loofa 

Before showering for the day

  coffee first....coffee second 

      and possibly third

along with a toasted bagel and Nutella 

While breakfasting I’ll watch the weather 

     report on how to dress for my morning     

         walk

Long sleeve red shirt or shirt sleeved one

It’s Friday....day to wear RED

Leaving the bubble gum at home today 

  I can’t always walk and chew gum at the 

       same time 

TWENTY-EIGHT DAYS of LOVE....Day 5

 

Short Read Today!

Since yesterday’s read was rather long, I thought I’d go with a short read for you today. 

The Valentine’s Day words are interesting to say the least.  Yesterday’s word was definitely one that was interesting to compose a verse.  I know quite a few people who are huggers.  They hug when they see you; my mother’s family (aunts, uncles and cousins) were big huggers.  I am a hugger in a way but not over the top as some.  At the moment with COVID it’s not good to be hugging but people still are doing so.  Yes I have! 

I did the acrostic on that a hug given us usually returned; it’s a small gesture someone shows.  In EXPECTED GESTURES the person giving the card enjoys putting X’s, O’s and draws hearts on blank spaces on the card.  The recipient expects nothing less from the sender.  I pictured a woman who draws those things all over a card like a schoolgirl. That came to mind as I typed away.  

Wacky holidays yesterday were National Homemade Soup Day; National Sweater Day; Facebook Birthday and Thank Your Mail Carrier Day. So I did a tribute piece to the four days.  Not sure if this will be a recurring thing or not; just put them out there last few days for some reason.  

Terry’s word for yesterday was CHARISMA.  I’ve used that word in the past but decided to write a piece using it. I decided to do it about person becoming a group leader.  She has no idea why people seem to gravitate towards her as she feels she is no one special.  There are charismatic people who have no idea they are so; then there are those who do and are full of themselves.  

It’s Friday so have a great day; wear your RED.  

Until tomorrow....one of the wacky holidays today is bubble gum day, I may try to blow few bubbles; and as always Stay Safe. 

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO.

                                HUGS 

Hugs are affectionate squeezes we give to 

     another 

Usually the embrace is given back to us 

Getting a hug means someone cares for you 

Small gesture of caring in a little clinch

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

                EXPECTED GESTURES 

Hugs and kisses designated by

        X’s and O’s

      penned at the bottom of the card

A big heart with the words 

       I LOVE YOU 

   handwritten in the center

     on the opposite side of the verse

X’s and O’s and tiny hearts drawn wherever      

     space available 

A juvenile gesture....it would seem to some

But he expected it after all these years  

      whenever she gave him a card 

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

                    OOZING CHARM

She had an allure that oozed from within 

An uncanny appeal that drew people to her 

  like a magnet 

She never thought of herself as being 

      dazzling 

Could not understand why others 

      considered her fascinating 

But they seemed to have a different 

       opinion 

Perhaps her pizzazz came from a down to      

      earth attitude 

        and self assurance 

  It was her charisma that made her a  

    good choice for group leader 

🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼

       WACKY HOLIDAYS February 4th

I donned my favorite red sweater 

  and ventured outside to pick up my mail

 A big thanks to my carrier for delivering my      

       latest issue of ‘Poets and Writers’ 

           magazine today

Now I’ll enjoy a bowl of homemade chicken 

      soup while I read it 

Then scroll through my newsfeed on 

      Facebook 

My day all planned out 

TWENTY-EIGHT DAY of LOVE....Day 4

 

With it being cold here in Florida, I’ve been staying indoors.  Yesterday I only ventured out to put the garbage bin for pick up; bring the bin back to its designated spot then went out to pick up the mail.  This staying indoors got me to doing crazy writings.  

The Valentine’s word for February 3rd was  SMITTEN.  Terry gave a vocabulary word which was BENEVOLENCE but I used benevolent in a piece I composed. 

When the word smitten popped up, the only rhyming words that came to mind was mitten and kitten.  It was in my mind I pictured Bernie Sanders memes that have been all over social media where he has on mittens.  The cheesiest piece or whimsical came to mind which I titled THE KNITTER.  

THE PLAYER, is focused on a woman who is just that. She uses men for personal gains such as nice jewelry and gifts.  It’s not always men who are players as women are known to be so too.  The piece DID HE   

KNOW, focuses on a woman being smitten with a guy but not sure if he feels the same. 

I did then used the four wacky holidays for a piece.  Yesterday was FOUR CHAPLAINS MEMORIAL DAY; NATIONAL GIRLS and WOMEN in SPORTS DAY; NATIONAL CARROT CAKE DAY; NATIONAL DAY THE MUSIC DIED DAY; I wrote a piece centered around the days  and used the word benevolent. All pieces were fun to compose. 

Here’s my Valentine’s Day story from years ago.  I made up a humorous card verse that goes like this:

                 Today’s the day for hearts and flowers and boxes of chocolate candy

       So here’s a heart

          Here’s a flower

             And freaking box of candy

              What more do you want?

      Happy Valentine’s Day

Next to the word ‘heart’ I put a picture of a card with a heart on it. Next to the word ‘flower’ I put a picture of a rose and next to the word ‘candy’ I put a picture of a heart shaped box of chocolates.  I made up small cards and put them into invitation size envelopes.  I already had small red gift bags and silk roses in a storage container so I did not need to purchase them.  I ended up purchasing boxes of conversation hearts and small heart shape boxes from a dollar store.  I spent a total less than fifteen dollars.  I put the gift bags together with one rose, heart box, box of the candy and a card. My husband and I gave them to a few of our favorite bartenders that day and others we knew who would not get a Valentine.  There were six left over.  A guy at one of the veterans clubs saw the bag we gave the bartender and asked where he could get one.  I told him I had a few left so he asked if he could purchase one. I ended up giving him one for five dollars.  Well another guy ended up taking two.  All in all I ended up getting rid of them to guys who needed to take something home to their souse or significant other.  Who would have thought this crazy little idea would go over well.  The following year I was asked if I’d do it again.  

Another year I came up with another funny idea which I’ll tell you about soon. 

I hope you all have a good day. 

Until tomorrow....take care; and as always Stay Safe. 

                  

💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚

                           THE PLAYER  

 

He was smitten from the very start

To her he gave his loving heart

Wooing her with all the usually things 

Chocolates, flowers, champagne and a lots     

     of bling

Unfortunately she did not feel the same

Love to her was just another game 

Play at being smitten, get what you can

Then off to another unsuspecting man

Her comeuppance she will get someday

As love from the heart not a game to 

    play 

💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚

                       DID HE KNOW 

Infatuated with him....she wore her heart on 

        her sleeve

The attraction strong at times made her 

        scared

She had wondered if he knew she loved him 

He always treated only her as a friend

Why couldn’t he realize she was smitten?

Or did he know....but did not feel the same

💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚

                      THE KNITTER 

They couldn’t believe with him she was 

      smitten

She knitted him a pair of Bernie Sanders       

      mittens 

A gift of love she gave on Valentine’s Day

With hopes out in the snow they would play

💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚

    

      FEBRUARY THIRD WACKY HOLIDAYS 

The girls basketball team will get together 

       today for a benevolent act 

They will have a few moments of silence for 

       the Four Chaplains Memorial Day

Then have slices of carrot cake with milk 

While listening to music of Buddy Holly, 

   Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper on the anniversary of the day the music died 

TWENTY-EIGHT DAYS of LOVE....Day 3

 

It’s Hump Day!  The groundhog saw his shadow yesterday; guess six more weeks of winter.  I did not see any photos of Phil wearing a mask yesterday.  Poor little guy had to come out in the cold weather and snow just to give his report.  

Yesterday after I posted the wacky holiday countdown, Terry wrote a cute poem about the four wacky holidays for February 2nd. I felt this was a challenge so I did a four line free verse about the wacky holidays which were (to refresh your memory); National Ground Hog Day; Hedgehog Day; National Heavenly Hash Day and National Tater Tot Day.  She gave a new vocabulary word which was ACCOUNTABLE. Yes I used it in a four line verse story.  

The daily Valentine’s Words for yesterday were BOW and ARROW.  The words could be used together or only one of the two. 

I used both in my pieces.  I did a card verse called LOVE HAPPENS. I’ll use it as a Valentine this month.  The second is titled BEING VIGILANT.  It focuses on what happens when Cupid shoots his arrow.  

I think about Valentine’s Day in school. Oh how I enjoyed getting a box of the little cards with their silly sayings.  I’d pick out the cutest for whatever boy I liked in my class.  It was also fun to see what type of cards I’d get in return.  One year in third grade we made little mail boxes for the classmates to put our Valentine’s into.  It was a fun art project.  

Tomorrow I’ll have a funny story about an adult Valentine’s Day since I moved to Florida.  Leave it to me to have more than one. 

Until tomorrow....today’s odd holidays are The Day the Music Died; Four Chaplains Memorial Day (interesting story to Google); National Carrot Cake Day and National Girls and Women in Sports Day.  Today I’ll listen to a Buddy Holly song or two; have a good day and as always Safe Safe. 

💘 💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘

                     LOVE HAPPENS 

Cupid carries a bow and arrow

He will shoot it right at you

When you are hit it will happen

You will fall in love so true

Make sure you are ready

Because LOVE HAPPENS 

💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💞💘💞💞💘💘💘💘

                 BEING VIGILANT 

Cupid carries a bow and a few arrows 

He will find his victim....always does 

Quietly he pulls out an arrow from the 

     quiver....places it on the bow 

Taking careful aim....SHOOTS

Always hitting his target on center....he  

    never fails

LOVE.....AMOUR....will happen to his victim

During February all must be vigilant 

Not to be another casualty of Cupid’s ploy

Unless they are looking to be a fatality of 

        love 

💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘

                      ACCOUNTABLE 

He just stood there dumbfounded 

Watching Cupid place an arrow on the bow

 Accountable for his own actions 

    he should have run

But he got hit hard....never realizing he’d be 

      next to fall in love 

🤎🤎🤎🤎🤎🤎🤎🤎🤎🤎🤎🤎🤎🤎🤎

            WEIRD HOLIDAY ACTIONS 

Loaded Tater Tots for his lunch  

Bowl of Heavenly Hash for dessert 

The Hedgehog watched the news

As the Groundhog predicted six more 

    weeks of winter 

TWENTY-EIGHT DAYS of LOVE....Day 2

National Ground Hog Day and Hedgehog Day is today as well as National Heavenly Hash Day and National Tater Tot Day.  Of course the ground hog gets all the attention.  Now let’s be honest here; he sees his shadow six more weeks of winter; no matter what it’s six weeks till first day of spring. If they mean six more weeks of winter weather, that could be correct.  I’ve been through snow storms on St. Patrick’s Day and also Easter Sunday. It’s hype and makes good news copy. 

Poor hedgehog is in the ground hog’s shadow.  

The first Valentine’s word for February was SWEETHEART.  Both of the pieces came to mind as I thought about the day of hearts and flowers.  The first piece centers around a couple who met as children.  The female is happy with just simple gifts for Valentine’s Day.  I used the toy soldiers as I happen to think it was something a boy might share but with someone special. The second piece centers around a guy who creates handmade cards every year.  The female in this piece likes simple and to the point. 

Last year I sent my husband an e-card I created for Valentine’s Day for seven days. This year I plan to try it again with perhaps ten days. I’ll begin on the fifth this year.  

Terry gave us an odd word yesterday just to continue odd/queer/strange words; it was NICTATE which means blink or wink.  I used it in the first piece. 

As for the fact both pieces mention handmade or homemade created cards; to me that is more special than heading to a store to pick one out.  Created by hand, means the individual is not cheap, but they took the time to do this.  

I’ve not seen the news yet as I type away at 6:00am. Will Phil even pop out today? After all Pennsylvania is getting a major snow storm. If I were Mr. Phil, I’d remain in my little hole.  

Until tomorrow....enjoy your Tuesday; if you’re in an area with bad weather be careful and as always Stay Safe. 

💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞 💞

                       SIMPLE GIFTS

They met in the sandbox at age four

The girl with the emerald green eyes

    that would nictate at him 

 She was the only one with whom he’d share 

       his toy soldiers 

His sweetheart for over fifty years 

Valentine’s Day age ten he gave her own toy      

    soldiers with a handmade Valentine 

        and a plastic red carnation 

In her memory box they can be found

  the little olive drab plastic men 

    the construction paper card

       the faded plastic flower

   Last year he gave her a ruby heart 

     necklace 

         a dozen red roses 

            and a store bought card

How the gifts matured with age

Truthfully she’d be just as happy with one 

         rose, a handmade card and a box of 

              conversational hearts 

💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞

                       HANDMADE 

Bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolates 

A card with a Cupid and a heart

The words ‘TO MY SWEETHEART’

          in fancy font on the front

The inside verse said it all so simply 

     To my dearest on Valentine’s Day 

     My love is always true

    You cheer me up always

    When I am feeling blue

    Hugs galore and many kisses

    To you on this love filled day

     My heart is yours forever

     There is nothing more than I can say 

     Except HAPPY VALENTINE’S  DAY

       I LOVE YOU 

Smiling at the handmade card 

  she remembered the first one he gave her      

       thirty years ago

Since age eight he made her a homemade 

   Valentines card 

She cherished them more than those 

     purchased at the card shop 

 

TWENTY-EIGHT DAYS of LOVE....Day 1

 

Hello to the month of February.  It’s my birthday month and as it’s my birthday month, I am a February Queen.  I celebrate my birthday all month.  It’s also the month of love; Valentine’s Day of course.  Now let’s not forget it’s also going to be Ground Hog Day month; President’s Day Month; month that we celebrate Mardi Gras and then the Lenten Season begins.  

Now Ground Hog Day is tomorrow.  Will Phil come out of his hole wearing a mask?  Will he see his shadow?  Will Phil even come out due to social distancing and too many gathered around his hole?  We will find out tomorrow.   

Today is day one of Valentine’s words for the daily word challenge.  The word today SWEETHEART.  I looked up these words a few years ago for a challenge which I never did. So like the Christmas words, I have them to be picked out of a hat for the next twenty-eight days. 

Yes it’s also the first day of the birthday month for the February Queens and Kings.  I have my tiara on as I write this up. 

The last odd/queer/strange word for January’s challenge was SWAN SONG.  My first piece centers around it being the end of January that for some reason sped by quickly.  The second piece just focus on how it was fun to do the odd word of the day. 

So yesterday I did a swan song blog for January today is day one of ‘Twenty-Eight Days of LOVE’.  

Until tomorrow....happy February the first and happy birthday to King of the day; as always Stay Safe.  

💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚

                       SWAN SONG

So farewell to the month of January 

Where did the past thirty-one days go

As I reflect back on the first month of 2021

Nothing special jumps out at me 

Seems the days just meshed one into the 

   next 

Of course I do look ahead to February 

Needless to say there is a reason

Going to be a queen in February....it’s my 

           birthday month 

    💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚       

                    THE SWAN SONG 

A fond farewell to January

   the first month of the year

It was a challenging writing month indeed

   doing verses using words odd and queer

The first word of the month skedaddle 

     swan song the final word for the day 

Really enjoyed doing the January monthly 

    challenge 

    like a game that’s fun to play

       to compose a poem, haiku or story

So this is the swan song verse for today