GaryOsberg.com

Good morning from Collegeville,

It is still winter and I for one am growing weary of it all. The days are getting longer and the cardinals are starting with their songs looking for love. Sunday is Saint Valentine’s Day, “an annual holiday celebrating love and affection between intimate companions.” (Wikipedia) The day is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Valentine, established by Pope Gelasius I in 496 AD.

Some claim that the first recorded association of Valentine’s Day with romantic love is in Parlement of Foules by Geoffrey Chaucer who wrote: “For this was sent on Valentine’s Day, when every bird cometh there to choose his mate.” This poem was written in 1382 to honor the first anniversary of the engagement of King Richard II of England to Anne of Bohemia both of whom were 14 years old.

The sending of “Valentines” probably started in Great Britain. Esther Howland developed a successful home-based business in Worcester, Massachusetts making Valentine cards based on British models. The US Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately one billion valentines are sent each year worldwide, second only to Christmas. There are many ways to demonstrate affection to those that you feel love towards. Gifts of music is one.

If it is romance that you are looking for, check out two new cd’s. “The Fall” by Norah Jones and Melody Gardot’s “One and Only Thrill”. I have a close personal friend that unwittingly revealed his unique love for his wife. He is a successful business man who has a cell phone, but the only person that has his cell phone number is his wife. Every time his cell phone rings he knows that it is the love of his life who is calling him. Now that is romantic.

The show this week is live from The Fitzgerald Theater in downtown St. Paul. Special guests include Leo Kottke, Phillip Brunelle and VocalEssence, Met Opera Tenor, Raul Melo and North Dakota native Andra Suchy. Enjoy the show.

“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Paul of Tarsus