Hearts and Puppies

Normally on Valentine's day I have posted things perhaps a bit unromantic, nay even cynical. But when we received this card from our friend Cathy I knew I just had to share it.

14 febbraio - San Valentino

Happy Valentine's Day

Tortured, beheaded and then your skull is displayed in a glass case for people to gawk at: hey nothing says love quite like it!



This great picture of the purported skull of San Valentino in Santa Maria in Cosmedin is part of a wonderful photo set by mym which can be found here.

14 febbraio - San Valentino

San Valentino

Zwani.com
Now don't get me wrong, I'm not against romance or being romantic - it's just I don't understand what chocolate and gaudy red - sorry Dora - cards have to do with proving your love someone. And frankly the legend or rather legends of San Valentino don't do it for me. Nothing there to get all warm and cuddly or hot and horny about them - mostly martyrdom and gruesome tortures as this article from the Onion attests. Well maybe there is some connection but come on guys its tenuous and only if your relationship is a bit off beat.

And we are told, by the Italians, that the Italians are the most romantic people in the world - though the French would dispute that hotly - but strangely a group of Italians came up with the concept of a day to celebrate being single. My friend Michelle lets us in on the details on February the 15th - the Feast of San Faustino, Patron Saint of Singles.

In the meantime I think I'll just celebrate Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius - they're the Patron Saints of Europe. Now that's pretty romantic.

14 febbraio - Santi Cirillo e Metodio

Buon San Valentino

Auguri e amore a tutti!

e grazie Maurizio for the photo....

14 febbraio - San Valentino