
What To Do Until February Is Over

February is brutish and short. But it's also full of holidays. We have:
Chinese New Year (Monday, January the 26th -- very early)

- Learn about the proper traditional observances at an exhibit about Door Gods (two pages -- on second page, scroll down for Guan Yin).
- You didn't like your Voodoo Queen tarot reading? Find out what might be in store for you this year, as foreseen by Chinese Astrology. (This is a Year of the Ox ( element, water; cycle, yin), (different sites from previous years ) but Dragons are always in style).
- Something that's in store for everyone is a complete year of Chinese Festivals. (different site from previous years)
- A traditional pastime is the setting and solving of Lantern Riddles (optimized for American puzzle fans).
SuperBowl (Sunday, the 1st)

- The Sports Betting FAQ explains the basics of that aspect of the game.
- The Urban Legends page spoils some stories.
- This Chicago Bears team (this page lives in Chicago, so keeps this link from a prior year) has lots of fans, but so, still, does the classic SuperBowl XX (1986) team.
Lincoln's Birthday (Tuesday, the 12th)

- The young Mr. Lincoln discusses the place of the rule of law in a free society. Lyceum Address, 1838. This graceful and powerful statement of how citizens create a just and peaceful state is a special favorite of a friend of mine. (long, but give it a chance)
- An older Mr. Lincoln discusses the preservation of the Union in a Letter to Horace Greeley, 1862. This is a very personal statement of what compelled the decision to go war.
Valentine's Day (Thursday, the 14th)

- This just in! the world's Oldest Valentine (from a news story on a British Library exhibit).
- You say you don't have a sweetheart anymore? Was it something you said or did? All is not lost -- invoke Mark's Apology Note Generator, and patch things up. (broken link -- Mark seems to have gotten discouraged ...)
- While you're waiting to be forgiven, download some Screen-saver Files and decorate for the holiday.
- A little history, more academic than is usual at valentine sites, is supplied by Catholic Encyclopedia: ST. VALENTINE (note: the on-line, out-of-copyright edition -- from 1913!).
- History Lite! Read about Valentines Over The Years.
- Get some help in expressing your sentiments with quotes from Beauty and Love in Poetry (broken link -- rescued by the Wayback Machine!).
- That fancy poetry isn't everyone's natural style. The versifiers at the Bar-D Ranch are offering some authentic cowboy poetry for the occasion.
- Supplement your words with secret meanings, using the Language of Flowers (scroll right for meanings listed alphabetically).
- You don't even have to go to "Aphrodite's Love Palace" to receive her wisdom. The page title says it all: Spoil the Beloved (lost host -- still trying to re-find).
- Let us say you have wooed, won, and married. You have little ones with whom to observe the holiday. There's Valentine Fun for them, too -- crafts, recipes, and everything else for a happy home. (high-band-width successor to previous link)
Washington's Birthday (Friday, the 22nd)

Mardi Gras (Tuesday, the 24th)

- Try a tarot card reading with The Voodoo Queen. (Not New! The renovation of the Voodoo Queen's atelier is complete, and she is again receiving visitors.)
- You're not going to New Orleans? Mardi Gras 2009 can be celebrated on-line. (trying to find this year's link -- again)
Or you can visit the "Golden Age" of New Orleans Carnival (1870-1930), courtesy of Tulane University .
- You are going to New Orleans, and want advice on how to capture those wild scenes? A serious photographer will tell you how. (broken link -- trying to re-find)
- New Orleans wasn't wild enough for you? Travel to Brazil: Carnival in Rio de Janeiro.
- You prefer something more down home? Head for the Acadiana region for the Cajun Mardi Gras.
- Even if you're stuck at home, you can send an e-card (illustrated from a vast photo library).

Back to the
Welcome Page (or to the Master Index page)
Graphics credits:
Snowglobe by Celeste
Serpent by Image-O-Rama
All other horizontal rules by my favorite source, THe SKuLL
Send me comments or suggestions.
Copyright © 1997- 2009
Last Updated January, 2009 (holiday dates current; links checked, looking for the missing; more sites being sought)