I'm HIGH on Chocolate

 

I got the following at this website:

http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=Minisite_Generic&content_type_id=882&display_order=1&mini_id=1084

The History of Valentine's Day

"Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? The history of Valentine's Day -- and its patron saint -- is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.

One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.

According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France."

Why must stories like these always have such a sad, and tragic ending?  Why can't people just live happily every after with a milk chocolate, Cadbury, Roast Almond candy bar?  :SIGH:  Yes, I'm high on chocolate, thanks to my pal, Maria who handed me this 4,000 calorie chocolate bar.  "You can eat a square a day,"  she explained to me with a giggle.  Right..  I'm so sure Maria!  It's gone, woman!!!  Gone, gone, gone, gone!! 

I wasn't going to enter another entry today, but I got so many cute graphics, I didn't want to wait until next year to use them all!! 

So far, my day has been a little hectic.  The check I left at the travel agency for my mother was not found early this morning, until later by the cleaning crew of the building.  The building front door was not left open, like I was told, and my daughter had to slip it under the front door.  Thank God that is over with.  In other news, the receptionist here at work has been gone all week due to her shoulder.  We don't know the details, or how or why she hurt her shoulder.  We can only speculate that she fell in another one of those evil gopher holes she keeps falling into.  The key to the closet door that always has to be remained locked is now broken.  Under federal law, this closet needs to be locked  when the CII Clets machine is not in use.  Of course, there is no spare key.  Hmm..  Lovely. 

 

Whoohooo..  I think Nick is going to have to sleep in his own bed tonight..

Hope you are having a good one!!