Valentine’s Day

Happy Valentine’s Day. Wasn’t really started by Hallmark, although they’ve co-opted the day very well, thank you. 2021 is not exactly the most romantic of times, but then, was the Third Century that romantic? As with most saints, he was arrested and no doubt tortured brutally (the stories of the Saints is filled with torture and brutality – one doesn’t become a Saint by breezing through life). Valentine supposedly restored eyesight to his jailer’s daughter. So he was capable not only of miracles but of mercy. Miracles, mercy, martyrdom, and torture lead to Sainthood.

Now we exchange chocolate and cards – pretty much the same as back when Valentine was around. If only he had the foresight to capture the greeting card market – not that there were many readers back then. Chocolate was another luxury that most of the populace had no knowledge of (no one did in Europe back then- apparently that was the 16th Century).

So to torture the ones you love (the True Meaning of St. Valentine’s Day?), why not add this podcast filled with songs not of love but of loss and cynicism, with these artists: Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Nick Drake, Van Morrison, Lydia Loveless, the Seratones, Shannon Shaw, Coco Hames, Tom Waits, Joni Mitchell, Jane Siberry, Secret Machines, Dangermouse, and Beck.

This podcast is, as always, available to stream or download at brennick.net. There should be more content there, and I will try to put more things up this year. The podcast is also available to download as a podcast at your favorite podcast streamer – iTunes, Stitcher, etc. The podcast is called brennick.net. Check that out sometime. I welcome suggestions and comments, too – leave them as you will. Thanks for everything you do to encourage me.