Sweet

I don't really do Valentine's day, but I do do love, lots, and every day (and I'm very much aware that I said doo-doo-- one thing I love is that I know for sure that's the first thing Mike will say when he reads this). Come to think of it, this blog is more often than not a running list of things I love, and I make no apologies about that. But that said, in honor of this silly unavoidable holiday, here's five more things I love because, well, roses die and diamonds aren't my best friend, but writing something in an electronic format makes it forever, right?

LOVE: Tradi-TION! Growing up, my grandfather always gave all his "little sweethearts" (his grandchildren) candy for Valentine's. His son is of course not my grandfather, but he's someone's grandfather now, so he's taken the reins on this one. I got a little Russell Stover sampler in the mail this weekend, and though the chocolates are long gone, I'm still feeling the sweet tug of memory on my heart. I am way into tradition in general, I observe lots of them, but this is one I'd nearly forgotten.

LOVE: the internet - I love that it was invented. I'm terrible at the phone, and occasionally a dolt in person so I appreciate the way it helps me communicate in my personal life as well as professional one. Plus I can find out who sang that commercial jingle from 1981 that's stuck in my head plus find a video clip in like five seconds. It helped launch a little revolution of late. It's a dangerous tool of unknowable scary power. It's good to take a break from it from time to time. And in its short history it has vastly enriched my life.

LOVE: pancakes. LOVE. I am happy to make them at home, but I've never been able to make them as good as they consistently do in a diner setting. Self: let's get some pancakes this weekend.

LOVE: I can just think, oh, I want pancakes, and can go get them. From a geographic standpoint (I am within a ten minute walk of at least three establishments that flap a mean jack) this is cool, but the part I revere most gratefully is that I have the ability to do so. I'm not a woman of great means I assure you, but with some moderately hard work (I say moderate because neither of us are exactly saving lives, nor are we breaking rocks to earn our dough) we do OK and I can never take this for granted.

LOVE: best for last... these charming dudes, who are very nearly my everything. Though love doesn't even begin to describe what I feel for these beauties.

To conclude, here's my favorite love song in recent memory. I can't believe it's already four years old.