Dictionary

I'm going to post something that I think is very interesting. It is the definition of Valentine. It is from Dr. Goodword:

"VALENTINE

Pronunciation: VÆ-lên-tayn
Hear it! <http://www.alphadictionary.com/sounds/valentine.mp3>


Part of Speech: Noun

Meaning: 1. A loved one to whom a special card of love is sent
on St. Valentine's Day, February 14. 2. The card itself or some
other gift given on St. Valentine's Day to someone beloved.

Notes: The day celebrating love remains a proper noun, 'St. Valentine's
Day' or 'Saint Valentine's Day'. The noun 'valentine', as defined
above, has long since become a common noun. The verb 'valentine',
once used to describe birds serenading a prospective mate, has
fallen by the wayside. The same is true, alas, of the blend 'Valentide',
made from 'valentine' and 'tide' in the spirit of [Link 1] CHRISTMASTIDE.
So we are left to send valentines to our valentines on St. Valentine's
Day.

In Play: [Link 2] [Image 3] A Valentine's Day present is shortened
to just 'valentine' these days: "That thoughtful guy, Amos, gave
his wife a red lawnmower for a valentine." Since this word is
so closely associated with St. Valentine's Day, the range of
its possible uses is limited. Its association with the courtship
of birds (See History), though, suggests we might revive the
verb in figurative expressions like this one: "Fenwick seems
to have valentined Maudy into marrying him."

Word History: February 14 was originally a Roman feast day celebrating
the beginning of the mating season of birds (hence the association
with love). Chaucer was still aware of this for, in 'Parliament
of Foules' (1381), he wrote: "For this was on seynt Volantynys
day Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese his make" (For this
was on Saint Valentine's Day when every bird comes there to choose
his mate). The celebratory day somehow became associated with
a saint named Valentine in the 3rd century, a priest and physician
killed during the persecution of Christians by Claudius II. The
connection between the two remains murky. (May everyone reading
this be loved by someone special today.)

-Dr. Goodword, alphaDictionary"

Feelings

It is pouring down rain today. Perfect for the way I feel. I miss you, Mom. Feels like I dreamed you.

Weather

To all of my blog and facebook friends and their loved ones -- I am praying that everyone is OK. Houses and the stuff that is in them can be replaced -- you cannot be replaced.