LOVE IS IN THE AIR (WAVES)

Romanze, composed by Robert Schumann for his beloved wife Clara, is part of the long, LONG history music plays (bad pun) in the Book of Love (Peter Gabriel). 

Robert met Clara when she was 15 and was forbidden by her father to continue their romance. Dad burned all their love letters. But this was "More Than a Feeling" (Boston) and he would wait for hours at a coffee shop just for a few minutes with her. Eventually they married when she was 21 and went on to have a bevy of children together. Ah... "The Things We Do for Love" (10CC).

Humanity is always trying to figure out how to express passion, and one of the best (and worst) is through music. Last week, in honour of Valentines Day, CBC Music sent out the invite to listeners to tell them what they considered were the worst Love songs of all time. Top of the List? "Having My Baby" by Paul Anka. Yep, that one was pretty bad...For those who know me well and my personal aversion to ABBA, I would have to put "Fernando" up there. 

But most of the time, we get it right, and there are some beautiful love songs out there. I'm a sucker for a guy who can serenade me with a guitar and one of my favourites right now is Donovan Woods "I Ain't Ever Loved No One". 

So, another Valentines Day has come and gone. A few gorgeous bouquets arrived at the office and I came home to  1 dozen red roses a box of chocolates (Thanks Sheldon!). 

"But these three remain Faith, Hope and Love" 1 Corinthians 13:13. To the end of time, Love is and always will be in the air (waves). 

A FEW SURVIVAL TIPS

I just got to say it, winter has been pretty grumpy; down right pissy this year! We go to extremes: frigid deep freeze temperatures to snowmageddon, then jump into buckets of freezing rain and why not throw in wind gusts up to 100 clicks.

My backyard that is so welcoming and lively in the summer is distant and giving me the silent treatment: dead potted plants, icy decks and frozen poopsicles. 

But this isn't my first winter rodeo so I've stored away a few survival tips to get me through this yearly ice age.

My first suggestion would be to get out of Dodge, to somewhere bathed in surf, sun and sand! If that is not in the cards, find yourself a nice warm sunbeam.

I find the pets strategically aligned with these all over the house. Not having a personal fur coat, I take to the fireplace or warm fuzzy blankets for a hibernation moment.

Make yourself comfort food like soups, stews and in this case, a mushroom and spinach quiche

Add a nice glass of red wine with that and you won't even notice the icy, freezing rain smashing against your window.

Finally, spend time with those who warm the cockles of your heart. This weekend I hung out with my parents, enjoyed a raucous night of laughter at a games night with a few friends, went to Church this morning and then, there's this guy, the Little Prince:

If that face doesn't melt your heart, I don't know what would!

If, like me, you have had enough of winter's little tantrums let him know you're not going to take it. Show him who's boss and pull out your Survival kit. If that doesn't work, get on the next plane to Tahiti!