Curious Time to be a Romantic
February 14, 2012
The first Valentine I ever got was from Marvin Woo. I was in the fourth grade and he lived in a white stucco dilapidated bungalow on Dorothy street. I lived around the corner in a small Spanish on Gretna Green street. I was somewhat a refugee and didn't quite understand the concept of Valentine's Day. We had just escaped Iran, and I was still haunted by the echo of gun fire and blood on the streets. Gretna Green seemed like a bright postcard with the palm trees and fuchsia bougainvillea vines. I felt not unlike Dorothy who had stepped into a technicolor version of Oz. Marvin wasn't really what I used to dream about in those days. He usually had bits of seaweed caught in his braces, and his Toughskin brown jeans were a few sizes too small; never the less I got caught up in the romance of it all. He really was smitten for me and I was honored by that. I ended up burying that letter in a box with all my favorite and most precious items: a blue jay bird feather, a letter I wrote to Audrey Hepburn but never sent, and a photo of my true crush . . . Clark Gable.
It doesn't seem so easy to be a romantic these days. I long for the poetry of Blake, Browning, Neruda and Rumi. I long for the courtships that took place and the joys of the written word. After a few shocks to the heart I hope I will someday have the wonder and innocence of sweet romance. Is it just me or are we all more cynical and coarse these days when it comes to matters of the heart. At least for now I have Downton Abbey to go to for my romantic Valentine fix!
This week we visit with the Vintage Expo and discover a holistic skin care boutique O & N Collective. Next week we will have a video on the Smart Meter situation, so stay tuned in roses. I ♥ each and every one of you.