Pic of the Day

❤️ Happy Valentine’s Day! ❤️

Valentine’s Day is often seen as a celebration of romantic love, but it can be much more. It’s a day to celebrate love in all its forms—romantic, platonic, and most importantly, self-love.

For those in relationships, Valentine’s Day is a beautiful opportunity to honor and cherish your partner. It’s a time to appreciate the journey you’ve taken together and the love you continue to build. Whether it’s a romantic dinner, a cozy night in, or an adventure together, the day is yours to make special.

For those who are single, like I am, Valentine’s Day can feel isolating, but it doesn’t have to be. Love isn’t just about a partner—it’s about community, friendships, and self-acceptance. Take this day to celebrate your personal growth, your friendships, and the love that exists in your life in so many different ways.

If you’re single this Valentine’s Day, know this: our worth is not defined by our relationship status. We are whole, valuable, and deserving of love—especially from ourselves. Take today to do something that brings you joy, whether it’s treating yourself to something special, spending time with friends, or simply reflecting on how far you’ve come.

Back when I was in college, I read the book Finding the Boyfriend Within: A Practical Guide for Tapping into your own Source of Love, Happiness, and Respect. For me and many others who read the book by Brad Gooch, it was an inspiration at a time when I didn’t fully understand my sexuality, when I wondered if I’d ever be in a committed relationship, and whether that could ever happen if I came to accept myself for who I was—a gay man. I’m sure there were a lot of things other people who read the book got out of it, but for me, there was the message of self-love, even though at the time, I hated myself for being gay.

One part of the book that has stuck with me all these years was to the notion of going on a date with myself. I could put on a nice outfit, eat a wonderful meal, maybe even light some candles to set a romantic mood—whatever I did to pamper myself. Whatever I did, I would take myself on a date. I could even go out if I wanted and have a nice meal at a restaurant I loved. Whatever I did, I planned a real date with myself, and if that meant that I’d come home to have a more hands on “self-love” than I’d let myself do that too.

Love will come when it’s meant to, but in the meantime, we should cherish the love we have for ourselves and those around us. Whether you’re in love, looking for love, or simply loving life, Valentine’s Day is a reminder that love exists in countless forms. Embrace it, celebrate it, and most importantly, never forget to love yourself.

❤️      ❤️      ❤️      ❤️      ❤️ 

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Pic of the Day

Another Snowy Morning

I almost titled this post “Another Snow Day,” but snow day usually implies a day out of school or off work because of snow. For there to be a snow day in Vermont, a snow storm must be particularly severe. This morning’s snow doesn’t seem to be severe nor as bad as had been predicted. Some parts of Vermont did get a significant amount of snow, but where I am, seems to have only gotten about an inch or so of snow. Of course, there is always the possibility of two things: 1) the snow may begin to come down at a faster pace before I leave for work, and 2) there may be places between my apartment and work that are in worse shape than we are. Thankfully, the snow should be over by mid afternoon, and when I head home at 4 pm, the roads should be in better condition. I wish I could just stay home today. However, I have a class to teach, and I will be the only person in the museum today.

My plan today is to leave earlier than usual and give myself plenty of time to take it slow and get to work safely.

Pic of the Day

WFH Wednesday

I had to change my usual work from home day from Friday to today this week. I have a class to teach on Friday, so I need to be there. Honestly, it couldn’t come on a better day. Yesterday was incredibly busy and stressful. It’s never a good sign when you have to call your boss with bad news, and her response is, “Oh, shit.” A project that I’ve spent months on all fell apart yesterday. It was not through any fault of my own, but the person I was depending on basically pulled out of the project. 

Luckily, I was able to cancel the announcements before they were mailed out. I also had to pull all of the other promotional materials that had already gone out. While I was able to prevent a public disaster, it took most of my time yesterday. On top of that, I also had class to teach and a meeting off campus yesterday afternoon. Needless to say, I was physically and mentally exhausted by the time I got home.

Oh, and just because I’m working from home, doesn’t mean that everything is peachy. What really started off my day yesterday was that I found out as I was leaving for work that there had been a water main break, and my apartment complex would have our water shut off at 6 pm that night. 

By the time I got home, the notice had changed to an order to conserve water and that only flushing toilets was allowed. I’d planned to wash clothes today, something I often do on my WFH days. Because of a migraine over the weekend, I had put off doing laundry. Thankfully, I have enough clothes for the rest of the week, and I can hope that water is fully restored by this weekend.

Pic of the Day

Surrender

Surrender
By Angelina Weld Grimké

We ask for peace. We, at the bound
O life, are weary of the round
In search of Truth. We know the quest
Is not for us, the vision blest
Is meant for other eyes. Uncrowned,
We go, with heads bowed to the ground,
And old hands, gnarled and hard and browned.
Let us forget the past unrest,—
          We ask for peace.

Our strainéd ears are deaf,—no sound
May reach them more; no sight may wound
Our worn-out eyes. We gave our best,
And, while we totter down the West,
Unto that last, that open mound,—
          We ask for peace.


About the Poem

Angelina Weld Grimké’s poem “Surrender” is a deeply evocative work that explores themes of love, longing, and emotional vulnerability. As a poet of the Harlem Renaissance, Grimké often infused her poetry with intense emotions, subtle sensuality, and themes of suppressed or forbidden desire. “Surrender” conveys a sense of deep yearning, as the speaker seems to express an intense, possibly unreciprocated, love. The act of surrendering suggests giving oneself completely to another, either emotionally or physically. Grimké’s work often hints at restrained or hidden desire, possibly influenced by her position as a Black woman and the social constraints of her time. “Surrender” could be read as an exploration of the tension between desire and societal expectations.

Grimké frequently uses natural imagery in her poetry to symbolize emotions. The poem may contain references to elements like wind, water, or the body’s physical responses, deepening the emotional intensity. The title itself, “Surrender,” suggests an act of yielding—perhaps to love, to passion, or to fate. The poem’s tone might oscillate between fear and exhilaration, reflecting the emotional risk of loving someone completely.

As a Harlem Renaissance writer, Grimké was one of the first Black female poets to explore themes of personal and romantic love in ways that subtly challenged societal norms. While her poetry was not overtly political, it carried deep undercurrents of resistance—whether against racial oppression or restrictive gender roles. Some interpretations suggest that Grimké’s works may hint at same-sex desire, adding another layer of meaning to Surrender.


About the Poet

Angelina Weld Grimké (1880–1958) was an African American poet, playwright, and journalist, best known for her contributions to the Harlem Renaissance and her exploration of themes related to race, gender, love, and oppression. Though she was not as widely recognized as some of her contemporaries, her work remains significant for its emotional depth and its role in early 20th-century Black literature.

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Grimké came from a family deeply involved in abolitionist and civil rights causes. She was one of the first African American women to write a play centered on racial injustice. Her poetry, though often quiet and introspective, carried powerful messages about race, identity, and emotional longing. Her legacy has influenced later Black women writers, particularly those exploring themes of race, gender, and sexuality.

She was the daughter of Archibald Grimké, a prominent Black lawyer and activist, and Sarah Stanley Grimké, a white woman from a progressive family. Her great-aunts, Angelina Grimké Weld and Sarah Grimké, were well-known white abolitionists who had fought against slavery in the 19th century. Her parents’ interracial marriage was unconventional for the time, and her mother left the family when Angelina was very young, leading to a strained relationship with her father. Grimké attended the Boston Normal School of Gymnastics (later part of Wellesley College) and went on to teach English in Washington, D.C. She was one of the few Black women educators in the early 1900s and taught at Dunbar High School, a prestigious institution for African American students.

Grimké’s writing spanned poetry, drama, and journalism. She was associated with the Harlem Renaissance, though she wrote earlier than many of its key figures. Her poetry often explored themes of love, nature, racial injustice, and emotional longing. Some of her most famous poems include “The Black Finger,” “A Winter Twilight,” and “Surrender”—which deal with identity, desire, and the beauty of the natural world. Her poems often carried subtle undertones of suppressed emotions and possibly same-sex love, making her an early figure in LGBTQ+ literary history.

Grimké’s most famous work is the play Rachel (1916), one of the first plays written by an African American woman and produced by a Black theater company. Rachel was a response to the violent racism of the time, particularly the lynching epidemic. The play follows a young Black woman who, after witnessing racial injustice, vows never to bring children into such a cruel world. The play was commissioned by the NAACP as a form of social protest and is considered one of the first anti-lynching dramas.

Grimké never married and was a private person. Scholars have speculated that her poetry and personal letters suggest she may have had romantic feelings for women, making her an early, though understated, LGBTQ+ literary voice. Her work was largely forgotten after her death in 1958, but feminist and Black literary scholars rediscovered her in the late 20th century, recognizing her contributions to African American literature and activism.

Pic of the Day

Working Monday

🎶Tumble out of bed and I stumble to the kitchen

Pour myself a cup of ambition

And yawn and stretch and try to come to life🎶

I’m not sure yawning and stretching helped me come alive this morning. I feel like I could sleep for another hour or so, even though I went to bed early last night. I wish I could stay home, but I didn’t have a good excuse. Besides i need to go to work because I have several things I need to do. Hopefully, this week will fly by.

Did anyone watch the Super Bowl last night? I decided not to watch. I didn’t care about either team playing, the halftime show didn’t interest me, and for several years now, the commercials have been lackluster. So, I skipped watching and went to bed early.

Have a great week, everyone!