President's Day. Most people see it as a three-day weekend, or a day off from school. I guess I'm not much different, but it does help me remember what a great country we live in, and that there are great men who have led the country and made a difference at their time and for us now. There is a book about George Washington where I read he made an incredible decision -- it was the first time ever a leading military commander made the choice of not being king. He wanted the "great experiment" to work. In a book about Abraham Lincoln, he made a comment "all I am, or can be, I owe to my angel mother." An interesting thing about this quote is that it is about his stepmother, who came into his life when he was nine years old. His own mother had passed away, and he came to love his stepmother who taught him so many things. I am grateful for the President we have now. I may not agree with all his choices but am grateful our form of democracy works.

Valentines Day: we went for the celebration a little early. We drove to Palm Springs via the Mojave Desert Preserve. We had lunch at the Cheesecake Factory (ate our favorite Bang Bang Chicken and Shrimp) and then dinner at the Tuscan (Spaghetti Bolognese/Fettucine with Sausage and Onions). Our bike rides were fun with a little bit of work thrown in -- I rode the 55 with the some family friends, while B rode the 100 with two friends from work. Our post-ride meal was In and Out Burger and we each ordered our own fries! Usually we share so this was a big deal. While we aren't the best romantics on the planet, I know he loves me and he knows I love him. We make a pretty good "old couple" and there is joy when two people think alike.