Chocolate, Chocolate and More Chocolate

I’ve heard it said that “February is the longest shortest month.” What does happen in February? Obviously, Valentine’s Day is the month’s highlight but let’s not forget Groundhog Day and President’s Day.

On February 2, Groundhogs Day kicks off February with a fizzle. A rodent sees or does not see its shadow and winter weather hangs in the balance. This has mild excitement and some commercial potential. Competing with Valentine’s Day would be a difficult task for any rival, but why miss an opportunity to captivate our imaginations with little toy groundhogs. Groundhog Day T-shirts would be nice; perhaps a cute furry face with a large shadow looming in the background. With the addition of a coffee flavor, Groundhog Day has a real chance to take the February holiday lead.

As for elevating President’s Day to the level of Valentine’s Day, there are complications. President’s Day is a sensitive issue. Which Presidents are still on the “good guy” list, and which are not? Controversy and confusion knock President’s Day out of the competition.

The history behind Valentine’s Day is a little sketchy, but does it matter? I searched the internet to find answers to important questions such as: Was there really a Saint Valentine? Is Cupid real? Who can be against love? All of this affection began in the third century when the Roman emperor Claudis II assassinated two men named Valentine. The Romans did a lot of assassinations and had a lot of wild debauchery. I am glad that we’ve said goodbye to ancient Rome, and who will admit to being anti-love? More important – who doesn’t like chocolate?

Valentine’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to be very retro and send real paper cards. Remember cards? They are sent through the mail with an envelope and a stamp. I sent my Valentine’s Day cards early this year. Real cards, especially Valentine’s Day cards, are one of life’s simple pleasures. They enable us to demonstrate our true loving dispositions. Just try to take my Valentine cards from me.

Always willing to show off my DIY skills, I make my own Valentine’s Day candy. I melt chocolate in a microwave and then pour it into mini heart molds. Does it get any easier? Using a paper lace doily, I present my chocolate hearts for the world to admire. “Oooh, you made these?” I respond with a modest smile, thinking, well yeah, it is one step beyond opening a bag and dumping candy into a bowl. “Yes, I do make my own Valentine’s Day candy. Why scrimp when it comes to showing how much you care?”

February may be the longest shortest month, but thanks to chocolate and Saint Valentine we can enjoy a delicious and hard to beat celebration. Last year, 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate were sold. With its popular chocolate / love theme, Valentine’s Day easily trumps both weather forecasting and our heritage. Am I being redundant when I say, “I love Valentine’s Day”?

Patricia Finn writes FINNICKY, a weekly blog for seniors. She has been published in senior publications in New Hampshire, Montana, and Florida. Finn is an Amazon Author and a Goodreads Author and has served as a workshop host for the National Center for Family Literacy. She was syndicated with Senior Wire syndication and authored “Walking With My Foot In My Mouth.” Learn more and follow FINNICKY at PatriciaFinn.com.

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