According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, not one, not two, but three separate individuals have been canonized as "St.Valentine." All three were martyrs— one was a priest, one a Bishop and one was "lost with his companions in Africa, about whom nothing else is known." It did come to pass that their collective Saint's Day conings with the beginning of bird mating season. So it came to correspond with affairs of the heart and haunches. Hardly the stuff of chocolate truffles and lingerie. Or so it would seem.
Upon closer inspection, promising correspondences emerge.
The Florida Keys were called "The Martyrs" by the early Spanish and many a person has wound up here to "get lost" — sometimes in lingerie! And as for love being for the birds . . . well! Nevertheless, when the chubby cherub picks up his bow, you've gotta be in the know! These days, the signs come early. They may arrive as a beautiful red vevet covered cook book from Rizzoli called "Seduction and Spice" or in the change of colored light bulbs at The Curry Mansion.
For whatever reason, smiles abound. Out at the Hospital's ICU, Shine "Chocolate Papa" Forbes smiels from ear to ear with a snow white beard that ought to put some fear in this year's Hemingway Look-Alike contenders. At Johnson's Deli, Mary Johnson smiels the smile of smiles— an irreplaceable everyday Valentine. And up on Southard St., the man of the moment, Valentino Bryarly, not yet a year old, is boppin' tight with the bop that's right alongside Little Boy and Cuda's stride piano. Inside at The Meteor, Mindy's accepting combo Birthday/Valentine's presents and at Besame Mucho on Petronia St., the loveliest boutique in town, Meredith and Michael have hearts galore from ceiling to floor as well as love spells, oils and magic potions for those in need. Indeed, you can feel that "luv thang" liquefying hard hearts at the La Concha where Randy, Brett and Mark will be sure to enlive ya with a snifter of Godiva and get you in the mood for Sweet Mischief across the street.
Tonight the daring and smart will "merge with the urge" at the annual Woodenhead Gallery Erotic Art Show. You just know you can almost hear Tony Klein jump-start an "Ode to Cupid" or bring up a new kid at The Green Parrot's "Good to Verse" Valentine's flight Sunday night.
And where but The Curry Mansion on The Day itself? Thank Edith, Al and Burce for turning their house loose as a Valentine to the Wesley House. Take your appetite and your dancing shoes off the shelf. Let Amy Culver serve you Mangoes fare— a lover's treat. Then merengue in the street!
Say Happy Anniversary to Marty and Karen Greene.
Save the late plan for Anne.
All in all, quite the scene. Let that love `leashed arrow fly! And kiss that long lost martyr goodbye! There are rumors of romance to enhance the dance. Take a chance! It comes but once a year.