So, Been Gone Awhile and Valentine’s Day Thoughts

By / February 16, 2020

So, where have I been? 

I took a couple of weeks off to just vegg. I sometimes need a bit of rest from all the crazy involved in being an author. I have been doing some review on the other books, trying to make sure the continuity is solid. There’s nothing like going over the books and finding out the wings on an Enforcer angel are black instead of gray. So, I’ve been working.

And taking a break to just let my mind wander.

Archmage Rubyrose
Archmage Rubyrose on fire mount

One of the things I love to do on time off is play World of Warcraft. I’ve been playing since 2008 and my main character is a gnome mage named Rubyrose. 

The reason why I love playing her is because I don’t have to be right up next to the bad guy, I can stand back and throw fire balls at him instead, gives me a chance to run away like a scared little girl if he comes after me. 

The two pictures are Rubyrose from this year’s expansion patch. I don’t always see her face, so when I did the picture with her on her mage board I was surprised that she makes a weird face. Been playing all this time and never saw it. 

So,last friday was Valentine’s Day. One of my friends called me to wish me a good one and asked if Bruce was sending me flowers or candy and was surprised when I said no. 

We don’t have to celebrate, every day is Valentine’s Day for us. This year it’s 26 years we’ve been married and we honestly say  “I love you” several times a day. We’re that old couple who will be holding hands when we’re in our 90s. He’s shown me that he loves me every day we wake up and before we go to bed. 

I got lucky. Believe me. After two failed marriages, I got my forever valentine, my soul mate.

Bruce and Charlayne about 2008
Our renewal of vows 2010. The children are our grandchildren who were doing maid of honor and best man for us.
Vinegar Valentines, circa 1875. Shows a miserable woman holding several books. From the collection of the Royal Pavillion and Museums, Brighton and Hove

I was looking for old valentines to try to figure out what Lilly would have seen when she was alive. I found an article on Smithsonian’s site that talks about Vinegar Valentines.

Yeah, I didn’t know about those either. 

Vinegar Valentines are ones that aren’t the “Be Mine” types. They are rude and pretty much an insult for the time. Looks like people back in the mid-19th century didn’t sugar coat the sentiment of the day. 

I think, right now, Lilly may have at least contemplated giving one of them to someone she couldn’t stand.

That’s all for this week. Hope you have a fantastic week and I’ll release the next entry on Friday. 

I’m working on a history piece about an event that happened in Lilly’s time that she would have known about.

See you then!