HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY 2017

Another year, another Valentine’s Day. For some reason, this one is taking me by surprise. The whole year is going by so fast. (Which I hope these dangerous next four years will do, too!)

But, for the first time in years, Mr. X and I actually have plans for it! And I could not be more excited about what we’ll be doing to celebrate. We’re going to Hollywood’s Pantages Theater to see Circus 1903, The Golden Age of Circus. This is how it’s described on the Pantages website, so how could I not be thrilled to see it?!: “The producers of the world’s biggest magic show, The Illusionists, have teamed up with the award winning puppeteers from War Horse to present a thrilling turn of the century circus spectacular.” And there are no real animals, so no worries on that front.

I’ll be reviewing it for you this Thursday, but it’s in town for just five shows, so if I were you guys, I’d run right out and buy tickets for it for your own valentine! I’m expecting a spectacular experience.

Now, not to bring the room down, but, for just a quick second, I have to go back to these hard times that I mentioned in the first paragraph, because they mean that we all need to love each other now more than ever. I don’t mean “love as a couple” even; just “love thy neighbor.”

Do you remember when we were innocent little children, we gave certain people in our class those little paper Valentines? (I still have some unused ones; I found them in a store about ten years ago. So cute.) Well, I had to give one to every single of the thirty-one other kids in my class, because I didn’t want anyone to feel left-out! I was the only one who did that, of course, and then I grew-up to be what others have deemed an Empath. Maybe that’s why this new head of the country is causing me so much emotional pain.

One former pal recently wrote to tell me I shouldn’t be upset for the rest of the country because, being white and straight and born here, none of what he does affects me. Well, love of my country, and for my fellow Americans, is what makes me wish the best for them, and not the evil that’s upon us at the moment.

This really does look like Mr. X and me!

So, my story of love today is for those of you who marched in the Women’s March. Or are writing/calling people in power to try to right all the recent wrongs. Or are trying to keep the good in the country going. And also love for my friends, who are my family. And for Mr. X, of course, who keeps me sane and crazy at the same time!

And, of course, for you, dear readers. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the support over the years. Sometimes, when Mr. X sees me agonizing over a particular column that is not of broad interest, he suggests I go easy on myself. But my feeling is that if even one of you reads what I wrote that day, I want it to entertain, inform, or educate you, to the best of my ability. That’s how much I love my readers!

Last thing today–I’m so sorry that I didn’t have time to publish a Valentine’s Day Gift Guide this year, but if you’re really desperate for a last-minute gift idea today, just go to my Gift Ideas section, and look at all of them! You are bound to find the perfect gift among them. And don’t forget if you’re in LA, that Circus 1903 at the Pantages (that I wrote about near the top of this column) is the way to go!

And, I wish you all a very Happy Valentine’s Day! I love all of you!