Poetry Corner

Welcome to the Poetry Corner, another feature on my blog, where inspiring and aspiring poets are welcome to share their poems.  

"My Soul is Troubled," was written as a tribute to Trayvon Martin. Read, enjoy and feel free to share this poet's words.  

“My Soul is Troubled”

By Ben Mitchell

From the landing of the first Slave Ship at Jamestown, to the historical election of an African-American male as President of this country, my soul has withstood the pain of a people.

A people not seeking the chance of a better way of life like most immigrants coming to America.

Not a people voluntarily coming in search of the so called ‘American Dream.’

And not even as a people looking to escape the tyrannical rule of King George of England.

My soul is troubled because my ancestors unwillingly, forcibly, and reluctantly came to a totally unfamiliar world against their will.

My people were tortured, beaten, taken, bought, sold, trade, separated, raped, castrated, lynched and killed all in the name of God, and pursuit of liberty for a chosen few.

The forefathers of this taken, supposed discovered land founded by one Christopher Columbus, had the audacity to write down on paper, ‘All men are created equal.’

This was of course until they realized if the people literally believed them, they would be liars. Why is that?  Oh, that’s right; each one of them had slaves!

How ironic it would have been to make such a declaration under the guise of equality.

No problem for the wise forefathers of the chosen few. Men of color are classified three-fifths of a man.  Therefore they cannot be included in our chosen few society.

Surely you see how my soul became troubled and I’m confident the souls of my ancestors as well.

I think constantly of all of my many heroes of just the last sixty years, who taught me well.

First and foremost, I must thank my Mom and Dad who brought me into what they hoped and dreamed would be a better world.

Aspirations no different than Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton had for one Trayvon Martin.

I must acknowledge my mentors and teachers, Mrs. Rudella Smith, Pleas Meeks, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Marcus Garvey, W.E.B. DuBois and the lovely Dr. Maya Angelou.

And of course many others that taught, inspired, praised, corrected, encouraged, supported, uplifted and befriended me.

My soul cannot help but be troubled, when I think of my own three sons, two grandsons, my nephews, cousins, which all have the potential to become the next Trayvon Martin.

Yes, my soul is indeed troubled in this world of pain and strife in which we desperately try to survive and make a difference…

Dear Lord, my earnest prayer is that you would ease my troubled soul, deliver me of my pain, remove my hurt, take away my bitterness, and eliminate my anger…

Help us to always remember Trayvon in way that honors him and of course glorifies you! 

______________________________

Remember if you have a story, a poem, or a book that you would like featured on the Muriel's Peach Pit to contact me at georgiapeach30030@gmail.com.  Thank you for your visit to my blog and Happy Reading to all.  

Author Interview Series - Simona A. Seiderman

Simona A. Seiderman - Author 

 Simona Sez . . . Home is Where We Go for Refueling

It is my pleasure to introduce on my blog, Simona A. Seiderman, the author of a wonderful book, Simona Sez . . .  "Home is Where We Go for Refueling."  Simona book is based on her vast experience as a psychotherapist and moves readers to evaluate some of their own issues without being intrusive.  Simona's concept of being refueled means, "experiencing:  love, trust, respect, cooperation  acceptance  understanding, compassion, mutuality, and privacy."  Her book, in my humble opinion, is a great coffee table book for anyone to have on display, after you have read it, of course!

Muriel:  Simona, our paths crossed, if I am correct, in June of 2012.  I was going through a personal trial, because my grandson was in the hospital recovering from a near-drowning. You are friends with my sister and her family, and you were inquiring about how my grandson was doing on my sister’s Facebook page. You were also a part of the tremendous prayer team that we had during that time. Eventually, you and I became Facebook friends and the rest if history (ha-ha). Formally, we have never met, but I feel that I know you after becoming friends on Facebook. I have your book on my Kindle and I must tell you that I find it to be an easy read, a comfort read, and a new reference book for me. Your book validates what I’ve always believed; therapy is good for the soul and mind. 

Simona:  Muriel, your recollection of how we became friends is the same as mine. Your sister, Camille, is a dear friend of mine. Our paths intersected when your grandson, William, was in the ICU as the result of a near-drowning experience and Camille asked her Fb friends to pray for him. Loving Camille as I do, I readily began praying for his recovery and asked everyone I knew to join us in prayer. We were blessed with William’s full recovery, and, as you said, our friendship grew out of this experience.  Thank you for the kind words about my book--it warms my heart to know how it has impacted you.

Muriel:   Now I don’t want to take the spotlight off of you, so tell us a little something about you.

Simona:  I have been a social worker since 1981 (I worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse prior to that). I am 62, married, Jewish, and the mother of three adult children. I am as happy engaging in deep conversation as I am sitting on my deck watching the birds and animals interplay with nature.

Muriel:  What inspired you to write this book?

Simona:  Years ago, I wrote a cookbook filled with my favorite recipes and gave copies to family and friends. A neighbor, happily accepting the gift, commented, “Well, that’s your first book.” Then in my practice I heard myself saying similar things over and over again – for example, “Home is where we go for refueling” when a client was not being emotionally nourished at home – and thought, I ought to start writing this stuff down.

Muriel:  Your title is fantastic and I love the name play; so how did you come up with the title of your book?

Simona:  I played Simon Says as a child. As I heard myself talking to my clients, it was a natural fit to call the book Simona Sez.

Muriel:   I love how you've taken a much used clique like “practice makes perfect,” and made it a usable life tools like “Practice makes everything easier.” How did you come up with this style?

Simona:  It’s an extension of what I believe: if we practice something again and again, it does become easier. This is especially true if we are using a new behavior, like being more assertive if we are passive or being more forthcoming with our needs if we don’t typically verbalize them.

Muriel:   Another thing I enjoyed about your book is that you are not “preachy.” It is an easy read and it makes you think. Are you currently working on a new project? If so, can you share a bit of your new project with us?

Simona:  I have started working on a new book called Grief & LOSS: Righting a WRONG. I will be interviewing people who have suffered a loss but gone on to transform their grief into something positive. One example that comes to mind is that of a woman who, since losing her 34-year-old daughter two years after a kidney cancer diagnosis, now raises awareness and funds for kidney cancer.

Muriel:  An OMG moment for me was when I read “There are at least two sides to every story. And then there is this maxim: There are three sides to every story. His side, her side and the truth.” I say this a lot, in different verbiage of course, and wanted to know is there anything you found particularly challenging when writing this?

Simona:  I thought a lot about keeping the book universal—I wanted to make sure that what I wrote was general enough that readers could apply it to their own lives.

Muriel:   You incorporate and share a lot of “you” in your book. How hard was this? Did you find this to be therapeutic for you?

Simona:  I was very comfortable sharing some of “me” in my book. In my field, we call it “therapeutic use of self” or sharing with a purpose.

Muriel:   I found your case studies to be interesting and on a few of them, I found myself wanting to know more about how they are doing currently. How did you choose which case study to include in this book?

Simona:  Most of the case studies are amalgamations of cases, something I did to protect my clients’ identities. I know what you mean about wanting to know more about how someone is doing now; I often wonder how things are going for clients after they terminate our work together!

Muriel:  From a personal standpoint, having lost my dad almost two years ago, I was intrigued by your section on grief.  Although I won’t say which one, I did find my character represented in this section and was somewhat comforted by the thought that I handled (and still handle) my grief for him quite well. Have you considered doing an expansion of this section as a separate entity?

Simona:  My second book, Grief & LOSS: Righting a WRONG, will focus exclusively on grief.

Muriel:   What was the hardest challenge you had in writing this book?

Simona:  I faced two competing challenges: first, writing in a way that protected client confidentiality, and, second, writing any words when I became stuck. 

Muriel:   What did you learn if anything from writing your book?

Simona:  Practice really does make everything easier!

Muriel:  I am sure that you recommend relaxation to your clients as a form of therapy.  What do you do to relax? 

Simona:  I love sitting on my deck with family and friends when the weather is nice and in front of a roaring fire when it is cold out.

Muriel:   Would I be putting you on the spot by asking what do you do when you need to talk to someone? 

Simona: I usually call on a very good friend of mine, who also happens to be a therapist.

Muriel:   Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers and fans?

Simona:  I appreciate all the wonderful feedback you have given me, and I am pleased that you have found reading my book helpful in your quest to take better care of yourself!

Muriel:   What can we expect from you in the future?

Simona:  My second book, Grief & LOSS: Righting a WRONG, is going to be the ultimate self-help book for those who are grieving.

Muriel:   How can readers contact you to find out more about your book.

Simona:  They can find more information at http://www.simonasez.com

Muriel:  Simona, one thing I know for sure, our mental health is just as important as our physical health. They go hand-in-had if we want to live long, happy and productive lives.  By the way, I have a friend who writes books for children with a moral in each story. Somehow (as I put on my thinking cap), I could see collaboration between the two of you in the near future. Thanks so much for your time and for allowing me to introduce your book on Muriel’s Peach Pit!

Simona:  I would be happy to be introduced to your friend to explore the possibility of collaboration, and I am thrilled that you asked me to participate in this interview! Thanks so much, Muriel.

So many times we put the wrong connotation on psychotherapy and we cheat ourselves out of a valuable life tool.  Simona's book will relax you, comfort you, answer questions, and ease your mind.  Feel free to go to her website http://www.simonasez.com for more information about ordering her book.  Happy Reading to All! ~Muriel

Aesop's Fables

The Lesson I Learned From Aesop’s Fables

Aesop was a Greek writer and master of many fables.  Now some might ask, “What is a fable?”  Well, if you don’t know, then that is a very good question!  Never be afraid to enlighten your mind by asking that, which you do not know!  A fable is a short narrative; a story, a recount of something as if it was true and it teaches a lesson.  I love a lot of Aesop’s fables, but ‘The Farmer and The Snake,’ has always been a favorite of mine.  It has also been in my heart all night and all day.  Let me share with you my favorite fable by Aesop. 

The Farmer and the Snake:  One winter a farmer found a snake stiff and frozen with cold. He had compassion on it, and taking it up, placed it in his bosom.  The warmth quickly revived the Snake, and resuming its natural instincts, bit its benefactor, inflicting on him a mortal wound. "Oh," cried the farmer with his last breath, "I am rightly served for pitying a scoundrel."

The lesson: The greatest kindness will not bind the ungrateful.

The reason this has been in my heart all night and all day, is because yesterday, I almost picked that frozen snake up.  In a moment of uncertainty, I stopped and I looked…and I was almost reaching for the snake when I realized what I was about to do! 

Straight truth:  No, I am not cheerful and happy all of the time!  No I am not nice and kind all of the time.  Actually, I would never use kind as an adjective to describe me.  No, I am not positive all the time.  Yes I am a flawed person!    Yes, I am damn right mean and surly at times, but do I need to take it out on everyone?  No!  Do I have to be mad at the world because I am angry at something or someone?  No!  Does everyone have to incur my wrath and rage, if they are not the cause of that wrath or rage?  I certainly hope not, because it is not a pretty sight! 

BUT:  I am honest with myself, and I know my personal boundary and my limitations.  I am still positive, that being positive through any adversity will make any negative in my life less of a negative.  I am also positive that any kindness I do in life will come back to me when I least expect it to come back.  I still believe that there is goodness in people, even when they don’t believe it is there in them.  I will continue to use positive posting as a means of respondent conditioning!  I still hold true to PRAYER, FAITH, HOPE, and LOVE!

As Aesop’s fable has clearly shown, if a person is truly unhappy, ungrateful, or miserable, it doesn’t matter what I, or anyone does as far as being positive or happy, because they will always try to bring you down to their level of ungratefulness and unhappiness.  As for me, well, I am refusing to play games with that frozen snake!   ~Muriel (5/23/13)

Author Interview Series - David L. Watkins

David L. Watkins, Author

Benny and the Basketball Bully & Lancaster Lion

Hello everyone and thanks for visiting my blog.  I would like to introduce you to a friend of mine, author David L. Watkins, who has a series of books that he has written (and is writing) for children.  The books deal with various aspects of “growing up,” and problems that different age groups encounter as they grow up.  They are wonderful books with inspiring message for children and parents. 

David, it is a pleasure for me to call you my friend!   I have read two of your books and I find your books to be full of witticism and they are very thought provoking.   I love the flow of your books.  They are books that I am proud to give to my grandchildren.  I am anxiously awaiting the next installment of your “Growing Up Series.”  Besides the fact that we both are graduates of Mackenzie High School, attended Wayne State University at the same time, and you’re married to the “Lovely Linda,” please tell us a little bit more about yourself.

David:  Thank you, Muriel. I am a member of two local writing groups in Detroit: Detroit Writers’ Guild and Motown Writers’ Network. I have been a member of such diverse organizations as PETA, Mensa and WINGS (a women’s support group where I serve on the advisory board). I don’t know if anybody really cares that I won a chess tournament years ago.

Muriel:  David, what inspired you to become an author?

David:  Although I have loved writing since elementary school and have written many short stories, poems and essays, I did not become serious about being published until my wife, Linda, gave me a nudge (re: shove).

Muriel:  When did you first start writing, and when was your first book published?

David:  I had thought about children's writing as far back as the 80s and finally had my first book (Benny and the Basketball Bully) published in 2010. 

After the bully crosses the line and insults Benny’s faith, Benny says,” I’ve changed my clothes, I’ve changed my food, I even tried to change my mood. They can call me strange, they can call me odd, but I will not change my belief in God.” -Excerpt from Benny and the Basketball Bully

Muriel:  Why did you choose the genre that you write in?

David:  It seems rather cliched, but writing for children truly does help our future. Tomorrow's leaders in all fields will start out by reading children's books, much as we did. Those first lessons are so important. I still recall my favourite stories from my youth and the impact they had.

Muriel:  How did you come up with the titles for your books?

David:  It took me an entire day to name Benny and the Basketball Bully. I like the alliterative sound and applied it to my second book and the third (Melvia For Mayor) which should be out this spring.

Muriel:  In your book, Lancaster Lion, my favorite line is:   “Lancaster Lion took pleasure in sleeping ten hours a day and ten hours a night.”  It instantly made me think, “What did he do with the other four hours?”  Right now, I will not say who my favorite character is, but do you have a favorite character in either of your books and why is that your favorite character?

David:  I'm glad that you like the line about Lancaster's sleeping habits. Lions do sleep about 20 hours a day. I tried to inject a few jungle facts into the book along with the fun. I mentioned the strong animals and the speedy cheetah. I teased about the vulture, the tortoise, the parrot and the intelligence of the gorilla. Attila is, in fact, my favourite character in either book. He is a wise counselor and a respectful creature.

During a drought in the jungle, when the animals run, walk and fly out to search for food and water, the vulture says,” I’ll  just hang around here for awhile – you know, just in case.” - Excerpt from Lancaster Lion

Muriel:  Who is your least favorite character and why are they your least favorite character?

David:  Jimmy is my least favourite character because of his insensitivity and conceit. I did not intend to make him a completely despicable boy, but one who really "doesn't get it". My next book (on which I am working now) will have a character similar to Jimmy in some ways. She will have an adversarial relationship with the protagonist, Melvia.

Muriel: As you know, I have twin grandchildren and we have had conversations about a book that you are thinking about writing that involves twins.  Is that still a consideration?  (Reminder:  Their names are Liana and William, hint, hint!)  Are you currently working on a new project?  If so, can you share a bit of your new project with us?

David:  In Melvia For Mayor, a 12-year old girl finds a loophole in the city charter and decides to run for the office of mayor.  (the book on twins is still on my future agenda - smile)

Muriel:  Having read your books, I feel the message you are relaying is quite obvious.  What influences the messages that you convey in your books?  How much of your writing is based on real people or real situations?

David:  My wife and I started The Growing Up Series. The books all carry a particular lesson for children which reflects the "basics"...the early childhood teachings, such as courage, cooperation and kindness (so far).I want the children to be entertained, but also think about their behaviour. The books feature situations that could happen in real life, at least to a certain degree. Of course the talking animals are a mere symbol for people.

Muriel:  Is there anything you find particularly challenging when writing?

David:  The biggest challenge in writing is to actually finish an idea. I have dozens and dozens of ideas and I find myself writing parts of one story and then parts of another without completing any of them. Perhaps I'll put out a book of two-page story starters. Hmmm.

Muriel:  Did you learn anything from writing your books; and, if so what did you learn?

David:  I am learning that I cannot even touch upon the "tip of the iceberg" in any subject I attempt to broach. There will always be more unsaid than said. I hope that I can interest the audience enough to want to seek out more books (not just mine) on bullying, wild animals, politics or any other topics I might address.

Muriel:  Who is a favorite author of yours, and what is it about the author that you find fascinating?

David:   My favourite author was/is Isaac Asimov. He holds the record for writing the most books on different subjects. There have been people who have written more books - but all on poetry or history, et al. Asimov wrote 468 books on scores of subjects. I have about 100 of his books and I delight in the way he inserts anecdotal musings about so many things. He may include a bit of math in a book about the Bible or give an insight into history while talking about the chemical elements. . I want to develop the skill of being able to tangentially connect almost any subject with another. (when I go off the subject, I rarely come back...uh, what was I saying?)

Muriel:  I love your illustrations!  Who does your illustrations and cover designs?

David:  Although I did not do the drawings for the first book, I did the illustrations for the second book with Anthony Brown. I drew the designs for both covers and I plan to illustrate (or co-illustrate) all future books.

Muriel:  What advice, if any, do you have for other writers?

David:  Many authors tell other writers to "write, write, write". This is not bad advice, but I would add, "read, read, read" to the previous advice. Read and discover what you like and how you might like to write. Read from the masters and follow their lead when it comes to development, tone and strength of plot.

Muriel:  How do you present or market your work?

David:  I wish I knew more about marketing. The hardest part is the actual selling. I wish more people would "like" my books' Facebook pages and spread the word. We have a book or two on marketing which we will really need to peruse and follow.

Muriel:  How do you handle compliments and criticism given to you by your readers and fans?

David:  I like feedback. Compliments are very good, but constructive criticism is even better. I hope that the readers enjoy the books and can't wait for the next one. That's the way I feel about certain authors (Grisham, Mosley) and I would love to have people one day feel that way about my books.

Muriel:  I know that you make hand-drawn cards and I hear that you’re a poet, but what else do you do when you are not writing?

David:  I draw, letter and write. Our company is DLW Publishing. Those are my initials and it stands for Drawing, Lettering and Writing. I plan to have a blog entitled Different Lists Weekly (DLW...remember those?) I still make greeting cards. I have been commissioned to work on a couple of art projects for the inside walls of buildings. I do editing and ghost writing for others. I have designed logos for people and organizations. I have been a song leader and a children's art teacher at my church. I have spoken at an anti-bullying conference and was on a panel with City Council members.   I volunteer at the Children's Hospital. I'm going to be a judge for high schoolers in an upcoming writing contest. The contest is in March and there will be an Awards Luncheon in April where the winners will receive scholarships. Did I mention that I love my wife? Yes, I still find time to spend with her (and I work full time).

Muriel:  How can readers contact you to find out more about your books?

David:  My website, which will be updated soon, is booksbydavidwatkins.com

I can also be reached by e-mail(davidwatkins10@comcast.net) or on Facebook. I hope to learn how to blog and that will be another point of contact.

Muriel:  David, thank you so much for taking the time to share your insights with us.  It has been a pleasure.  I assure you that I will be eagerly waiting for your next publication.  I am looking forward to talking to you again in the near future.

To my readers, if you have not had the opportunity to read Benny and the Basketball Bully, or Lancaster Lion, please do.  Again, let me say that they are excellent books to give to your children or grandchildren.  These are the books that you want to read out loud with them, or read to them as a night time story.  Please visit David’s website or you can find pages to his books on Facebook.  Our children and grandchildren deserve to have exposure to more positive reading materials.  Let’s support an author who has a positive message to share with our children.  -Muriel

Valentine’s Day – To be Loved? Or To be in Love?  (Part 2)

In my last blog, I shared some interesting facts (well at least I believed them to be interesting) about Valentine’s Day.  This time, I would like to share information on why we have some of the symbols that are used during Valentine’s Day.

Cards were the essential gift of Valentine’s Day until the “commercialism” of Valentine’s Day developed as we know it to be today.  To receive a hand-made card was all that was required; because the card would be decorated with lace, hearts, and a beautiful verse or two.  This was the quintessential of expressing love. 

Cupid or (Eros in Greek Mythology) is known to be the God of Love, and son of Venus, the Goddess of Love.  He went from being a sexy Adonis figure, to being a pudgy little cherub thanks in part to desire, to make him more presentable to women and children.  Most of the time when you see Cupid today, he portrayed as the pudgy little cherub that we know today.  It has been said that Cupid would shoot his invisible arrows (which were filled with desire) into the hearts of intended loves and they would fall madly in love.  Blame Cupid for all misfortunes of love! (Although, my vote is to bring back the Adonis figure of Cupid!)

Hearts, for Valentine’s Day are primarily three colors.  Red: represents warmth and feelings, the human heart, and life.  White: represents purity or faith; it can also represent the love between two people.  Pink:  represents innocents or virginity. (“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.’ ~Antoine de Saint-Exupery)

Roses:  Venus…red roses were said to be her favorites flower.  If red roses are good enough for the Goddess of Love, then surely, we as mortals can appreciate them. 

“My love is like a red red rose
That’s newly sprung in June;
My love is like the melodie
That’s sweetly play’d in tune.” ~Robert Burns

Candy – chocolate has been considered an aphrodisiac for years!  A no-brainer! “God gave the angels wings, and he gave humans chocolate.” ~Author Unknown

Too many of us are hung up on the idea of love, lost-love, no love, wanting love, desiring love, falling out of love, falling in love, being in love, hating love, detesting love, dreaming of love, hung up on love…I really don’t need to go on.  Remember, Valentine’s Day is only one day!  You still have 364 other days (ok, 365 in a leap year), to appreciate those you love.  Valentine’s Day does not define you as a man or woman.  Expect not and gain everything!  There are many ways to show love and be loved; not always does it have to be romantic love!  Express love on Valentine’s Day to everyone and don’t worry about receiving love back.  Que Sera, Sera!

My thoughts: “Focus your love on those who love you; don’t pen your hopes on love!  I would rather you love me than be in love with me.”~Muriel 

Happy Valentine’s Day!  

Thoughts for Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day – To be Loved? Or, To be in Love?  (Part 1)

Before I plunge into my feelings (my blog, my feelings) about Valentine’s Day, I’d like to share a few interesting facts about this particular holiday that brings either great joy, or discontentment to so many people.

Did you know that Valentine’s Day is second to New Year’s Day as a holiday that is celebrated throughout the entire world? 

Yes, Valentine’s Day, is celebrated throughout the entire world.  Different cultures may celebrate it in different ways, but it is the second biggest holiday on an international level.  Valentine’s Day has been celebrated for many, many years.  Some look upon it as being a “religious” holiday, and others have look at it as being a pagan holiday.  (The paganism is traced back to the Roman Empire  Those pesky Romans!.) 

Did you know that Valentine’s Day origin can also be traced to ‘The Roman Empire?’ (What was it with the Roman Empire?) 

During the rule of Roman Emperor Claudius, II, he outlawed all marriages because he feared that his young men would not fight if they were wedded.  It was his belief that they would choose to stay with their wives, rather than fight, and it would be a great loss to the Roman Empire’s army.  As a result of his law, many young couples would seek Bishop Valentine, of the Catholic Church, and he would secretly marry them.  Eventually, Bishop Valentine was captured and sentenced to death by Emperor Claudius.  While in jail, it is said that he fell in love with his jailer’s daughter and in the last letter he wrote to her, he signed it, “from your Valentine.”  The rest is legend!  

Did you know that Valentine’s Day became associated with romantic love during the High Middle Ages?

A lot of historians give credit to Geoffrey Chaucer (yes, Mr. Canterbury Tales himself), for the first written reference to Valentine’s Day being associated with romantic love.    “Courtly love,” a term that is no longer used today, became the direction for Valentine’s Day and has become the variant that we know today. 

Did you know that the oldest written Valentine still in existence is a poem written by Charles the Duke of Orleans, for his wife while he was being held a prisoner in the Tower of London? 

Je suis desja d'amour tanné
Ma tres doulce Valentinée...

—Charles d'Orléans, Rondeau VI, lines 1–2

Roughly translated, “I am sick of love, my gentle Valentine…” but that is only the first two lines of this poem.  To understand it fully, you would have to read and translate the entire poem.

Did you know that Valentine's Day is mentioned in Hamlet by Ophelia? 

To-morrow is Saint Valentine's day,
All in the morning betime,
And I a maid at your window,
To be your Valentine.
Then up he rose, and donn'd his clothes,
And dupp'd the chamber-door;
Let in the maid, that out a maid
Never departed more.

—William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act IV, Scene 5

Men, did you know that you have the diamond industry to thank for introducing jewelry into the scene in the 1980s?  

Although a lot of you would like to say woman are responsible, it just isn’t true.  Valentine’s Day is a money maker for jewelry stores and jewelers thanks to the diamond industry.

Did you know more condoms are sold on or around Valentine’s Day?

Well, I didn’t say all of my facts would meet approval, but it is very true.  There is a 20% to 30% increase in the sale of condoms during this time.  Interesting, there is a higher percentage of pregnancy test sold in March, than in any other month!  Do the math!

Did you know that “Date Rape,” or attempted date rape, is a big boom on the evening of February 14^th?  Sadly, this is a fact!  Date rape comes when the “expectation of more” isn’t given on Valentine’s Day.  Unfortunately, there are men and women who have expectations of what they should give or not give.  Valentine’s Day was never intended to be a “booty call.”  (Personal message:  I hope your head still hurts where I beamed you with a vase.) 

Did you know that in Japan, the women mostly give chocolates?

Yes men, there is actually a place where you get to be treated to chocolates.  However, don’t get it confused…in Japan there is also a custom of giving “obligatory chocolates” as well.  Do the research! 

Did you know that 10% of women send flowers to themselves on Valentine’s Day?

I don’t have a problem with this at all…but don’t just send yourself flowers, take yourself out to dinner too!  Buy yourself that piece of jewelry you have been admiring.  Who says you can’t be your own Valentine?

Speaking of flowers, do you know the mark-up on flowers during Valentine’s Day is inevitable?    Supply and Demand!  Simple as that!  My husband refuses to buy me flowers for Valentine’s Day!  He will buy me roses the week before or the week after, but never on Valentine’s Day.  Does it bother me?  No!  It is one of his idiosyncrasies; and he has given me enough flowers in my lifetime.  Before you get twisted in a knot about not receiving flowers remember one thing:  Flowers will die, but memories will linger!

…more to come about the symbols of Valentine's Day!