It has come to my attention that February has been rattling past like an express train. Unlike the plodding January, the second month of the year has a positive spring in its step as it goes by.
So far it's brought us temperatures of -12 and +12 within the same week. This is why we talk about the weather so much in this fine country – it’s so extremely fickle that you don't know if you need a woolly hat or a sun hat on any given day.
February of course has also brought us Valentine's Day. I enjoy listening with some amusement to the polarised views that some people possess regarding this harmless day.
Some vehemently hate it with a passion whereas I view it as just quite a nice thing. Nothing sinister, just a day to spread love and jollity to one and all.
Yes it’s commercialised, but what isn't? That's capitalism for you. Don’t like it? Move to Russia.
Of course it's a wonderful day for unimaginative men to demonstrate they can use the internet. Just click on the Interflora website, add some red roses, add balloons, add chocolates, add cuddly toy, job done in less than two minutes.
Of course it's an absolute winner every time because it's a known fact that all women love being bought flowers.
Personally I didn't venture to the online world of Interflora, it's overpriced at any time of year, so I went to my local florist a few days before and bought a fine bunch of orange and yellow Gerberas, the present Mrs Hayward's favourite flowers/colour combo, I'm led to believe.
On the day itself I showered her with other small gifts such as a scented candle, a chocolate liqueur drink, and some jelly hearts. She bought me a pair of long johns. I love them, and they're far more practical than a small toy bear clutching a heart with “I Wuv You” written on it.
But now it's all over. In the blink of an eye we’re on the eve of the last day of the month.
March will soon be upon us. The month of my birth, which now serves as a yearly reminder of my old age and impending mortality.
But then as Vila (a character from little remembered 70s space opera Blake’s Seven) used to say, “I intend to live forever, or die trying”.
