Gotta Love It 2024

Find your colors in life by doing the things you love

By Christina Reed
The Hired Pen

Eastern Sierra, CA—It’s the dead of winter, and Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. You may or may not have a “special person,” in mind, and it could be you. Setting out a garden in winter, enjoying a bouquet of flowers and their secret meanings, or doing the things you love…you don’t have to wait until Valentine’s Day.

Traditional v Contemporary

Doing the things you love isn’t just a one-day-affair. However, if you are a more traditional individual, you may want to wine and dine your special one. There are a number of restaurants, locally, which have Valentine’s Day specials, and most of them require a reservation. The range of food experiences is only limited by your imagination and budget, and your dining can be as fancy and splendid as surf and turf, an elegant Mexican seafood dish, sushi, Italian dinner, gourmet Chinese or Thai, or maybe you choose to fix your feast at home. Again, supplies can be limited, so planning ahead, and purchasing or making your menu courses ahead of the Valentine’s Day rush can make the day turn out better. Our local markets, like Manor Market, in Bishop, CA, have more than 50 years of experience in providing fantastic ideas and gifts for loved ones, year round. But, they also go out of their way to present some fine dining options for those of you who love to cook, and entertain. Keep your eyes open for upcoming specials around your town, and indulge in a little adventure locally, as your “keepsake.”

“There is a language, little known,
Lovers claim it as their own.
Its symbols smile upon the land,
Wrought by nature’s wondrous hand;
And in their silent beauty speak,
Of life and joy, to those who seek
For Love Divine and sunny hours
In the language of the flowers”–The Language of Flowers, London, 1875

Contemporary Valentine’s Day ideas range from bowling, movie binging, creating an “IOU Book,” ice skating (Mammoth Lakes, CA), skiing or snowboarding, riding a bike, taking a hike, having a snow date, with sledding and building a snowman, snow camping, a mini-road trip, going to a climbing gym, taking a scenic drive, riding your horse or mule on the trail, walking your pups, playing with your cat, or starting a good book by your wood stove. Buying gift certificates for your special person, friend, family member or neighbor is another way to show you are thinking about them. Local businesses carry gift cards, and your going to like the reaction when your special person opens their Valentine’s Day card, with a gift card inside. Perhaps you have something a bit more romantic in mind? Try a mini-staycation with your special person, and book a motel room in town, and enjoy being a visitor in your own home town for a couple of days. Do what you love. Love what you do.

Photos by The Hired Pen