Hello there to all who have picked up this fabulous monthly magazine to read all the positive news that is going on in the Cornwall, and S.D.& G. area.

This is the month of Valentine’s Day, as well as the shortest month of the year. It’s hard to believe four years will have passed since I got married to Johnny. As you may recall, we had entered a contest and won an all-expense-paid wedding in Ottawa, my home town. Winners of the contest had to make a modest donation to CHEO, but received several thousand dollars worth of wedding services in return. The wedding was held at The Courtyard Restaurant at 2:00, where family and friends awaited, and it was a beautiful event, with flowers, wedding cake, professional photographer, the officiant and more, all provided as a part of the prize package. We even enjoyed a discounted rate to stay at the Lord Elgin, where we enjoyed champagne and chocolate-dipped strawberries with friends and family before settling down to our first night as man and wife.

Since that time, we have combined Valentine’s Day with our Anniversary, as they are just days apart, celebrating our ‘Valenversary’ by going out, sometimes for a night at a local hotel, or sometimes by staying home. This puts a much-appreciated bit of warmth into the middle of the coldest part of the year. There is no need to spend a lot of money. Sometimes we’ll stay in and order a charcuterie meal, which is basically meats, cheeses, crackers and fruit. We get ours from Cold Platter Catering and we highly recommend them. They also provided the food for our wedding reception.

Fun Facts:

Did you know that when Valentine Cards were first sent, some people who couldn’t write their name printed an X and kissed it. The X soon became synonymous with kisses, and so they chose the O to symbolize hugs, hence the XOXO that we often use today to represent hugs and kisses.

As the unofficial month of love, February is the perfect time to look at the love in your own life. Even if you are single, you can consider the many things worthy of love. Start with yourself, perhaps you have pets, most have family and friends. What things do you love to do? Pour your love into those things. What do you hate in life? Take getting up for work as an example: Why not turn that hate upside-down and think of how grateful you are to have a job, to be healthy enough to work, to earn enough money? There are hundreds of things in and around our lives that we can learn to love, and it will bring us a lot of joy if we learn to see things in this new way. Some people blame love for unhappiness, because they loved someone who did not love them back. It was that person’s fault, not the fault of love itself. Love didn’t hurt you, a person did. Embrace love again, love for yourself, love for your life, and with time and caution, you might love another person again, but don’t rush it. You can feel fully loved without a partner, just spread your own love as far as you can to yourself and to all that you appreciate. It will return and you will feel its warmth.

Family News:

My dear mother will be celebrating her 84th birthday on Feb 11th. I’m planning a long-overdue visit with her in Ottawa soon, and it will be wonderful to spend time with her for about a week. My youngest son Marcus will be turning 30 on the 28th. He’s grown up to be a successful young father and a fine young man, as my youngest of seven children. I hope you both have a wonderful and fun-filled birthday. Love Marlene/Mom.

Item of the Month:

Johnny and I had seen a movie called ‘Hugo’ and it focused on the mostly-unknown story of film-maker and director named Georges Méliès. Thanks to this movie, we were made aware of this great pioneer of film making. Johnny bought me a special wooden box set containing the new English translation of the French filmmaking pioneers autobiography, along with art prints, a 35mm film strip, reproductions, pins, and other goodies. His most famous movie was “A Trip to the Moon”. Between 1896 and 1913, he made more than 500 films, most using special effects he had invented himself. I look forward to reading more about this incredible man’s life.

Tip of the Month:

Here are six things that happen to people when they feel loved: 1. They heal quicker. 2. Their blood pressure is reduced. 3. Their immune system gets stronger. 4. They tend to be more physically fit. 5. Their cardiovascular health increases, and 6. They feel less pain. So love yourself which teaches the world to also love you. You’ll enjoy the benefits. I know this, because the love of my Johnny causes me to experience the benefits of all of the above.

Community News:

With health restrictions beginning to loosen again, please remember to support your local businesses who had to close during January. This includes gyms and restaurants, among other businesses. Let’s all do our part to keep these businesses going by supporting them as much as we can. With seating restrictions, why not visit your favorite restaurant at off-peak hours? Don’t show up at noon or five o’clock, but try 2 or 4 in the afternoon, or even later in the evening. (Check their hours though) That way, you can ensure they are making enough money to survive with the limited number of seats they are allowed to fill at the moment. Your chain restaurant will still be here once this is all over, but we need to help the local restaurants such as Billy K’s, Cornwall BBQ, and others to survive.

Until Next Month:

Remember that each day is a gift. We wake up, and can be thankful for life, as we go about appreciating all that the day brings. Either that or we grumble and complain and have bad days. The choice is ours. So make the right one, the positive one, the grateful one, and your days will bring you joy and happiness.

Marlene Lister of www.listerphotos.ca & www.fashionography.ca