

The piano player tickled the ivories with, “The Rose” as the unsung lyrics echoed in my memory. I placed my order, glad to be free of early Valentine’s celebrations.

I headed to my favorite Italian restaurant to grab dinner & listen to some live piano playing. “What the heck? Don’t they know that Valentine’s is TOMORROW?!?’ I glanced at my receipt. But that was a surreal moment in another life time. I vaguely recalled doing that myself once upon a time. I stopped in my tracks, though, as I saw not one, but TWO couples holding hands across their respective tables, lovingly making nauseating goo goo eyes at each other. “Well, that’s something,” I thought, as I walked toward the coffee bar area. He handed me my receipt, & said excitedly, “Look! You have a dollar off for a Venti in our coffee shop! Get something warm before you leave, ” he suggested. But thanks.” (Does he not realize that some people ARE their entire households?) BIG SIGH. “No one in your entire house has one of our discount cards?” he asked incredulously, raising his eyebrow at me. “Well, is there ANYBODY in your household that has a discount card?” I knew he was just trying to be helpful. “But it can save you 20%” he emphasized, doing his job well. I listen to most of my books on Audible these days.” As I checked out with my splurge present to myself, (several travel magazines so I can set a goal to sell real estate to earn $$ for my next adventure), the clerk asked if I had a discount card with them? “No. “Well, maybe not for them,” I thought, silently shaking my head to myself as I put the car in gear to head to the bookstore. “LOVE STINKS…! LOVE STINKS…!” bellowed the stuffed cat into the dark parking lot as the guy leaned in to kiss his girl. As I left the office, said Toddler holding Grumpy Cat exited behind me with his parents, lovers arm in arm. Silver Lining: I got 15 extra, PEACEFUL minutes of soothing massage therapy. At least the table was warm.Įxcept that song. “I’ll be right back!” she called as she marched to the lobby, leaving me there half disrobed. “Interesting that they’re teaching a toddler that love stinks.”įrom the lobby: “LOVE STINKS…! LOVE STINKS…!” I can’t believe they’re letting that toddler do that!” She said, “If it happens again, I’ll go out & say something. “I hate to complain, but it’s making me kinda grumpy!” “It’s a Valentine’s toy modeled after Grumpy Cat.” she patiently explained.ĭeep breath in. “Not very relaxing for a single girl the day before Valentine’s,” I replied. “Yes, I’m afraid so,” answered my sweet masseuse. I can’t stand whining & complaining! But 30 minutes into my less than relaxing massage, I finally, in exasperation asked, “Is that really one line from ‘Love Stinks’ playing over & over & over again in the lobby?!?”
