The Polymath Chronicles: Happy Valentine's Day and Contest Winners Announced

There are a million Valentine's posts out there. And I thought about how to put something here. After all, it is an exciting romantic time for Charming Suitor and I...love galore. But frankly, that is just between us, and while I know you are all happy for my happiness, too much information is more than a little gag-inducing. Especially since I remember all too well how much it irked to hear about anyone's snuggly love affair when I was alone on February 14.

And I know that every food blog in the universe is giving you oodles of romantic recipes for two, or sassy recipes for single girls nights.

But do any of you need another one of those recipes today?

Instead, I thought I would share a couple of pieces of Valentine's Advice with you, slightly adapted from my book The Spinster Sisters, and I think a nice reminder for today...

"Let the Valentine’s Day thing go. We know that in general, a day devoted to love and romance seems like a great idea. And on paper, it is. But many of us, not to mention our partners, feel manipulated by the holiday, and the pressure we put on it is the reason.

For some of us, it is The Valentine’s Day Blues, the need to get drunk and bitter with other singles on the fateful day, or to stay home alone and wallow. Putting too much weight on what it means to be alone on the day of hearts and flowers, ignoring all the blessings we do have, not to mention the freedom.

For others it is the overwhelming smothering of the love of the moment. Rare indeed is the partner who really gets into the holiday the way we do, and often their best efforts are just not enough. And which is worse, there is always some friend whose boyfriend or husband or girlfriend or wife is the world’s most romantic perfect person, who creates a Valentine’s experience that cannot be duplicated by our own merely mortal partners.

For those of you who are partnered, take stock of your current inamorata, and if they are a keeper, then let them choose how they want to be about V-Day, and if it doesn't entirely match your enthusiasm (or lack thereof) figure out how to be okay with that. If it is a potential issue for you, talk about it with them a couple of weeks before, just to get on the same page about expectations.

If you are single, create a Valentine’s tradition with a girlfriend or close female relative or best gay boyfriend. Put your energy into looking forward to that tradition, be it a spa afternoon, a museum visit, dinner at a favorite restaurant or another such thing. Homeless shelters don’t just serve meals on Thanksgiving, you know.

Most importantly, give yourself and your partner the Valentine’s gift everyone needs…permission to simply be yourselves, and a little bit Kevlar coated on the most mine-filled day of the year.

ongrats to our contest winners!

At the same time, we should all remember to support our friends, especially single friends, on Valentine’s Day. It’s a great time to send a treat or a card, make that phone call you’ve been putting off. (E-card are free and quick, and sites like http://www.someecards.com/ have hilarious versions for every occasion.)The day hits us all in different ways, but no one is ever sad to be acknowledged by someone. Just remember not to call to regale them with how great your guy did at buying the right present, or how bitter and depressed you are about not having someone to be with. Keep the conversation light and about being happy to know them, and you’ll bring a smile to their day."

Good advice, if I do say so myself!

And now, c

KatieH...you have won the Heat and Dry Dishrack

AND....

Erica Cumberland...you have won the Buffet Heat Lamp!

Ladies: Please e-mail me your shipping addresses at staceyballisinfo (at) gmail (dot) com

For the rest of you, don't forget that Bon Home is still running their promo through Feb. 20, just head over to their website and order either the dishrack or the heat lamp and get an electric wine opener free!

I wish you all a very Happy Valentine's Day, however you choose to celebrate, or not.