I am reading Scottish writer Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's epic Sherlock Holmes stories. 

My newest obsession started after watching the TV show "Elementary" (shoutout to the penetrating stare of Jonny Lee Miller, and the lovely Lucy Lui who plays a wonderful modern Watson). After delving into this engaging series, I came to the mortifying realization that I had NEVER read the actual books.

Modern life seems to thrive on scandal. I noticed around Valentine's Day that life online was abuzz with not only the usual "I love you" flower photos (see my earlier post), but also with the (always TMI) posts about "the one who done me wrong..." 

Someone once told me that confession was good for the soul. Although I suspect she had other ulterior motives for telling me this truism (no, I did not borrow your Cranberries CD - hello 1990s), she may have been on to something. So with Valentine's Day so recently on my mind, I hereby bare my soul, unburdening myself of the secret of my past indiscretion....

I love Valentine's Day in all its commercial glory. Despite being one who ADORES history and stories, I tend to ignore the day's more gruesome origins and focus mainly on one concept: LOVE.

Having been sick for the past week, and totally bummed out by the oncoming slaughter of snow expected, my SigO decided to cheer me up with a plethora of posies. (See pic below)

To prove the SigO's tactic worked, and as a demonstration that my usual optimism is restored - despite the persistence of a harsh winter and my gross cooties, I present to you a list of just SOME of the things I LOVE:

"The truth is,' she said with a gentle smile, 'if you were anyone else, I might prescribe [my eyes glaze over as she begins what sounds like an entire grocery list of hard to pronounce medicinal cocktails]...But I know you,' she continues. "You prefer the more holistic method of medicine  - which I wholeheartedly support whenever possible."

The NP gives me an encouraging smile again. "So what I strongly recommend is....REST."

Sometimes it is easy to forget that life exists outside of your small microcosm of existence. Case in point: My life - in my present locale - exists entirely around...

THE WEATHER.