Alley

I made another alley photo yesterday as a snowstorm approached Albuquerque. More snow is coming, so the roofing contractors may not be at my house today.

If you just rolled out of bed this morning, it's Valentine's Day!!
Perhaps the most commonly held tradition around St. Valentine is related to the year 270 AD when Claudius II was the emperor of Rome—known as "Claudius the Cruel," the emperor who wanted to build a strong army but was having trouble because of the attachment the men had to their wives and families. His solution? Just ban engagement and marriage, of course! 

The story goes that Valentine, a priest in Rome, disagreed with the decree from Claudius and decided to go ahead and perform marriages anyway, allowing young lovers to marry each other in secret. When discovered, Claudius ordered the public beating and beheading of Valentine, which took place on February 14. The church later honored him by naming him a saint. 

This same Valentine is rumored to have become friends with the daughter of his jailer. He is said to have left her a note signed, "From Your Valentine." This may explain the idea of asking someone, "Will You Be My Valentine?".

So happy Valentine's Day to everyone!