February

What To Do Until February Is Over

February is brutish and short. But it's also full of holidays. We have:

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).

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.

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.

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)

For the Revolution-minded, the Father of our Country explains Recruiting and Maintaining an Army.
Take a side trip to the General's ancestral home in England, Sulgrave Manor.
After the Revolution and before the Presidency, Gen. Washington lived sociably but quietly at home, devoting himself to improving the property. Take a Tour of Mount Vernon (low-bandwidth; flash version also available) .

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).

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Graphics credits:
Snowglobe by Celeste
Serpent by Image-O-Rama
All other horizontal rules by my favorite source, THe SKuLL