My Funny Valentine
I don’t know about the rest of you, but February is one of my favorite months. First of all, it’s short and sweet! Where else do you find a month with only 28 days, I ask you? Not only that, but we manage to put quite a lot into those days. February is jam-packed with Groundhog Day, Valentine’s Day, and President’s Day – not to mention the Chinese New Year. I know months with 31 days that can’t say as much!
I also like the fact that February is quirky. It makes me feel right at home. Just when you get used to the fact that it has 28 days, February throws you a curve and shows up with 29 to see if you are paying attention.
As a kid, I was intrigued by people born on February 29th. It was beyond my ability to comprehend how anyone managed to live with birthday presents and a cake only once every four years. I liked the fact that they could say they were only two when we were supposed to be eight – but the sacrifice they had to make not to age was just wrong. I also had trouble understanding how they looked so old (no one ever accused me of being the brightest bulb in the bunch!)
While Valentine’s Day is definitely my favorite of February’s offerings, I’ve decided this year I’m not going to limit myself to just one chocolatey celebration. I’m going to embrace each holiday and find a way to make it my own. Here’s how:
Since I couldn't be in Pennsylvania to see whether or not Punxsutawney Phil cast a shadow, I did second best thing and re-enacted this momentous occasion with my French Bulldog, Lulu, playing the part of Phil. She is nothing if not cooperative, and has been known to allow considerably silly things to be done to her for little more than a dog treat and a pat on the head. (Actually, I’ve been known to do considerably silly things for just a pat on the head!)
We have plenty of gopher holes in our yard, so I figured I could simply tell Lulu to sit (and then, I suppose, stay) in one of them until such time as enough sun came up for either of us to cast a shadow. Gophers... groundhogs... French Bulldogs... I live in California, so who'd know the difference?? I was thinking Lulu would look splendid in a stovepipe hat and muffler, until I realized I’d gotten that wrong: Punxsutawney Phil doesn’t wear the hat and muffler, it’s the guy who holds him.... Man, that costume was hot, considering the sun's angle (high enough to cast a shadow) and the temperature out here in the 70s. After I wiped my brow (!), I decided I may have to rethink this entire endeavor next year, and simply talk to Lulu about what a glorious holiday it is.
Chinese New Year began on February 3rd this year, so I did a lot of celebrating in very short order! It’s the Year of the Rabbit, which means Lulu pulled double duty as my 2nd mascot. She isn’t fond of wearing rabbit ears, but her resolve went right out the window when I whispered the word cookie. (To be honest, when I whisper the word cookie, so does mine.) I think I’m beginning to see a trend here and it isn’t looking good for me.
President’s Day is going to be just a little bit trickier. I’m not quite sure how I can make it any more spectacular, but I’m thinking since there is already a holiday this month smothered in chocolate, perhaps I can start a new trend and we can celebrate by baking (and then eating) cupcakes made in the shape of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. Now that I’ve mentioned it (yes, I’m sorry, I did) I’m thinking it might be just a tad difficult to create cupcakes shaped like a president (unless you’re talking about either Grover Cleveland or William Howard Taft – who actually were very cupcake-like in appearance)! All I know is it’s my patriotic duty to give this holiday its due, and eating lots of cupcakes sounds like a great way to start.
On Valentine’s Day this year I am really going to whoop it up because I just discovered that dark chocolate is good for my heart. I also learned that other types of chocolates are not, but here’s what I’m thinking: I will eat a few milk chocolates, and then some chewy nougat and nut types, followed by some dark chocolates. I’m no scientist, but it just seems to me that the good should outweigh the bad – and I’m happy to be a guinea pig for the cause.
This February marks six years since my second breast cancer diagnosis, which is reason enough to rejoice. And while I don’t need to add cupcakes, cookies, or chocolates to make this celebration any more satisfying – it’s as good an excuse as any to grab something sweet! Lulu, where are you?