For Love

People run hither dither getting ready for what is touted as the most romantic day of the year. Up front it looks like chocolate candy, roses, hearts, promises that will most likely be ignored by the promiser within hours.

With that said it may seem the meaning of the day is lost on me.

Untrue.

For many years I did celebrate it in a way that was more meaningful to me than what is good sense to most people. Two months ahead of the actual day, I ordered 1 dozen each of red, white, pink, long-stemmed roses. The evening before February 14 was spent tying a length or two of curling ribbon at the base of the rose. Securing a large vase with water on the front passenger seat of my car, it was a delight to me to hand the roses out to people who it might bring happiness to, to have one. Gender, age, race, relationship status, it was for everyone.

On that day, everyone was my boo.

If you have ever been in a school where the student council, cheerleaders, etc. delivered things to students in their classes on certain occasions, that was what it felt like. Though I was the one delivering them, it gave me the same thrills as though I was the recipient. Seeing the surprise & joy it created for others that was actually a bonus. 

Spreading pixie dust.

This year, deciding to do something differently, shake things up, make it feel fresh, new.

On the night before - Friday the 13th - turning off all electronics before 6 pm. Phone, laptop, iPad, smart TV.

The only electronic device I left on was a stereo with pre-recorded ocean sounds. The ocean waves, gurgles of dolphins, whale song. Sea birds calling out in the distance.

It was magic.

As a gift to my dog, PJ, giving him a deep cleaned crate & new blankey made him happy. He gently took the new blankey from me, unfurled it, jumping then waving it through the air like a flag of victory. Taking his new blankey into his crate, he sniffed around it with his tail wiggling fervently. Yeah, it made him happy.

On February 13, I had prepared my Caeser Salad. A personal recipe that I like. Iceberg lettuce, arugula, goat cheese, kalamata olives, a sprinkle of fresh chopped basil & my home-made creamy Caesar dressing. Just 1/2 tablespoon to accentuate the flavors. Having made 2 loaves of keto cloud bread, just 1 slice was enough.

Of course, I did the usual for PJ. Rising from bed, brushed my teeth, washed my face, changed from night clothes to day clothes. Took my supplements, downed 8 oz of water. Fed PJ his morning meal, we went out the door to the park for him to have fun running & sniffing.

PJ is still energetic after an hour at the park. We arrived home; in repose on my bed to drink in the richness of ocean song.

Closing my eyes to a light flutter, pondering on what the people of the ocean might be saying. Letting the richness of whale song engulf me. With imaginings of being there. Communicating with fascinating creatures in their own languages. As a polyglot 5, languages fascinate me. The pitch, cadence, little pauses in slight breath.

Whipping up feelings, emotions of what they might be feeling. What they might be communicating. The sub-text.

Hey Fred, watch out for the sharks today, they're cranky.

Did you see those big boats! I could drench every person on them.

Hmm, after those bulls got done, I might be expecting a calf.

That cutie I was with was as big as a whale, oh, she is a whale.

The wave of krill looks promising today. Time to breech.

Those female dolphins are cute, too small, still cute.

How deep should I swim today, trying to beat the record.

Maybe I ought to tell the calves to stick close, today. The current is getting strong.

Thanks be to Triton who protects us all, who preserves us all from whale killers.

I'm a whale, I'm so majestic. Orcas are pretty. Dolphins are the comedians of the ocean. Tuna is the chicken of the sea. Charlie.

Closing my eyes, intending it to be just for an instant. I worked until the wee morning hours. A bit of a relaxing nap is good.

Softly drifting into a dream.

I'm a mermaid. Long flowing hair, emerald, green eyes that match the shimmer of my powerful fins, wide tail for speed. The current is strong as I swim along, feeling it as it smooths over my body.

Fully enjoying the sensations of my surroundings. 

Escaping the day to day can feel like I pressed a reset button.

It was so enjoyable I might start doing this for every Valentines Day.