valentine's day (and other hallmark holidays)

it's february 14th.
again.
it's the day the rose growers have been waiting all year in anticipation of. the day that turns months of dismal losses into instant moolah-shmoolah (like my favorite radio talk show host curtis sliwa would say). a day that can make the most womanly-wise man tremble at his knees for want of that unattainable never-to-be-returned gift.
and that's why i have a policy at home. there will no roses (that's easy: you make up a story about how you don't like it when roses are cut from plants for our own selfish sake and how they look most beautiful swaying proudly in the wind still attached to their little branches).
there may be a nice dinner involved, but i cannot guarantee we will eat before 11:30 p.m. because that is the only remaining time slot i got when i called the restaurant on feb 14th of last year!
and as for the gifts? there will be no receipts attached.