So who was Saint Valentine? Does Valentine's Day have anything to do with Saint Valentine?
And why have I never had a Valentine card except for ones made by the children at school when they were little? And why do some people make such a big deal of it. And why do shops have so much 'stuff''? Actually I know the answer to that last question........... it's all about the money.
There was probably more than one St Valentine, possibly one was a Roman Physician another a Bishop in Italy but one of these was a 3rd century martyr, and little is known about him but there is an undisputed history of people celebrating on this day going back 600 years. Chaucer wrote, sometime between 1376 and 1382, a poem telling how birds choose their mates on St Valentines Day each year and this day was supposed to be the first day of spring in many places.
The Greeks and Romans observed a special day at this time of the year for their goddesses Hera and Juno who represented women and marriage.
It was the Victorians who started sending cards and for a time these became comic and rude so that the tradition fell out of favour, gradually being revived through the early 20th century and now it's hard to avoid!.
I've found a couple of weather sayings for the 14th
And how important when you were a teenager to get some Valentines as well. Lidl had stacks of red roses in yesterday, how many will be sold I wonder?
ReplyDeleteSomeone must buy them - at extra expense
DeleteI don't bother - as you say, it is all about the money. Grossly inflated prices for things you'd probably never use again.
ReplyDeleteStill, it gives pleasure to many so who am I to say? :-)
xx
Never had a card or a pressie!
DeleteIt is just another consumer day, one for the supermarkets to make more money. Tesco was full of men buying flowers yesterday. Overpriced and vulgar. I bought myself some primulas from Lidl. Cheap and joyful.
ReplyDeleteI've a few primulas in the garden but the birds keep pecking them
DeleteWe exchange cards every year, the difference in for the last 4 years, it's been the same card, we don't get gifts or even flowers, it's all too commercial. We never go out, these themed nights places put on, is just their take on a money making time. Cynical I am. A few years ago, I sorted my memory box, it was full and threw away so many cards, I reckon they cost of over £100, lesson learnt.
ReplyDeleteI've kept several birthday and mothers day cards from the children - no idea what to do with them
DeleteI put some of our's from grandchildren into a huge A1 frame, made a collage, we do have a nice space to hang it.
DeleteNon event in our house as we don’t do commercialism. Catriona
ReplyDeleteNo we didn't either
DeleteNot sure that Winter has quite finished with us yet...but today is just too mild for February...but oh so wet...again.
ReplyDeleteIt was raining here earlier although we weren't supposed to get any
DeleteValentine's Day is a con and makes so many people unhappy for all sorts of reasons.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you are right. It's never bothered me
Delete'Spring is a neighbour' - I like that on this truly miserable morning after yesterday's sunshine - today thick fog and drizzle. ugh! But the Spring flowers out in my garden, gold and purple crocus, snowdrops, winter primroses, virburnum, Christmas roses - and the rest showing me their green spikes to let me know what time of year it is. Aren't gardens wonderful?
ReplyDeleteEverywhere is very soggy here and flowers are struggling through the muddy flower beds
DeleteI want to believe those two weather sayings. So fed up with the incessant rain/fog/WET! Ugh!
ReplyDeleteBut yesterday 'my' little Robin was sitting on the bird table with a dainty little female Robin - could this be his chosen one, on Valentine's Day? I do hope so.
I saw four blackbirds fighting on the olive tree out the front - not sure what that means
Delete❤️ Sending a heart from Winnipeg. I was 10 and had a crush on a teacher and left a card on his desk when no one was around ..on the front was a picture of a juicy apply with the message you are the apple of my eye inside was a picture of an apple core with the message and you thrill me to the core. He asked the class who left the card but I kept quiet. We had a heart shaped cake tin and my mum did make a sponge cake with pink icing.
ReplyDeleteSorry its Jean in Winnipeg forgot to add.
DeleteGood thing you kept very quiet I think!
DeleteI sent Happy Valentine's texts to my children today. It never hurts to share love and it doesn't have to cost anything. My grandson's made valentines out of red paper I already had and wrote a sweet message ("you are my friend!") to all of their classmates.
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentine's Day to you, Sue!
I love my children but wouldn't send valentine messages to them!
DeleteI wanted to 'play nice ' and say something positive about February 14th but admit to sharing the exact same view as Jabblog above.
ReplyDeleteAll that tacky merchandise top price today - yellow stickered tomorrow!
The reference to spring, now that's lovely x
Alison in Wales x
Spring will get here I guess but today is another grey one
DeleteMy husband and I exchanged the same card over and over for many years. Now Valentines day just reminds me of how much I miss him since he died, and it is just another sad day. Gigi
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear this.
DeleteWe never celebrated anniversaries or Valentines and rarely did I get a birthday or Christmas card - but it never seemed to matter
Tim used to get roses, and privately, I am ashamed to say that I wished that he wouldn't. I hated that they died. I finally told him that I felt like it was such a waste of money, and I would rather just go do something special, the two of us. Last year, he bought me a miniature live rose. This year, we decided to celebrate it when we go to Erie tomorrow. We're going to make a stop at a big second hand store to find a new lamp shade.
ReplyDeleteWhoot! Let the party begin! But, our little uncelebration suits us just fine.
There have been big valentine's presents like jewelry but the past many years it has been a card and that is about it.
ReplyDeleteI wish it would break the back of Winter today is one of the coldest all winter with the wind blowing.
Cathy
How many will be walking round town trying to get a table tonight and getting ear ache because they never booked before hand? I am sure there will be plenty ringing or texting sick tomorrow with sore heads?
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about Valentines Day. I’ve not ever put much stock in the day as I did as a youngster. Anyway my wedding anniversary is Friday so that’s our day!
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentines day to you.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
It is just another day. Tomorrow all the plants and flowers that did not sell will be on sale and there will be some good buys. My orchids are currently not in bloom, I might buy a yellow flowering orchid tomorrow...if the price is right. Happy V-day!
ReplyDeleteIt is all about the money. Husband and I don't exchange cards or presents for this one. Flowers are especially a no-no as I know how much they get marked up in price before Valentine's Day!
ReplyDelete