I would like to start this month’s column by visiting something which I meant to write about it but forgot to include in my column from last December. I feel bad that I forgot to mention the fact that on Dec. 13, 2025, Dick Van Dyke celebrated his 100th birthday. This actor, comedian, singer, dancer and writer has won six Emmys, a Grammy, and a Tony among other awards. He has also been inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Television Hall of Fame.
I don’t know about you, but…
I have enjoyed his work since I was a child. This versatile performer has entertained the world for longer than some of you have been around. I marvel at the fact that he is 100 years young and still lighting up the world. Here is wishing Dick a belated Happy Birthday.
I don’t know about you, but…
I am having a difficult time trying to understand why our president is set on acquiring Greenland and the significance of that action. While I understand that at some level Greenland is an important piece in the safety of our country, I am not sure that it makes much sense for the United States to alienate our allies and the rest of the world to that end. Can’t we just work with Denmark and the island’s home rule government to put in place all the security measures needed to help protect our country? Now I realize that it is probably not that simple, but can’t we just try to work something out?
I don’t know about you, but…
I am certain that it doesn’t make much sense for our country to try to purchase the place. I heard buying Greenland could cost as much as $700 billion. I also heard one proposal saying our president would offer each citizen of Greenland $100,000. Someone please tell me what sense it would make for a country that has a national debt of over $38 trillion (that is over $100,000 for every single person in America) to try to purchase a territory which its government and people don’t appear to have any desire to sell to us? I mean, come on man!
I don’t know about you, but…
I am continually amazed by what medical science is able to accomplish. Recently I was having difficulty keeping up the pace both figuratively and physiologically; so the good people down at OSF St. Francis Hospital in Peoria decided to put a device in my chest with wires connecting to my heart to help me to keep up the pace.
The fact that such a pacemaker exists amazes me. Doctors have been routinely inserting pacemakers into people since about the early 1960’s. I was told that this procedure had been completed without issues many, many times. But guess what? It has never been done on me until recently, so I was sensibly anxious about the whole ordeal. Well, it was done over three weeks ago, and although I have some minor limitations, I plan on firing on all cylinders by the end of February.
Speaking of February, in the Northern Hemisphere the month of February is usually considered to be the last month of winter.
I don’t know about you, but…
With the brutal weather we are having to close out the month of January, and the weather predicted for the first part of February, I certainly hope that winter will come to an end sooner rather than later. I long for the warmer weather that will certainly arrive sometime after February is in our rearview mirror.
Promise Day is celebrated annually on Feb. 11. I don’t know about you, but…
I didn’t know it even existed, or that it is supposed to be a day for couples and loved ones to strengthen their bonds by making sincere promises of commitment, loyalty and lifelong support. It is celebrated as the fifth day of Valentine’s Week. I am all for strengthening bonds with those that we care for most, but I guess I just didn’t know we needed a day for that.
As far as promises go, I try to not make any that I don’t intend to keep. But just remember that Napoleon was famously quoted as saying promises are meant to be broken.
I don’t know about you, but…
I found it interesting to learn that besides being Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14 is a famous day in Kewanee history. On Feb. 14, 1855, the Illinois state legislators officially named the settlement, which eventually became our city, “Kewanee.” And the rest is history, so to speak.
I don’t know about you, but…
I found it curious timing that the day after Valentine’s Day is Singles Awareness Day. This unofficial holiday celebrated on Feb. 15 is a day to acknowledge the single people in our lives and recognize that a person’s value is so much more than relationship status. I wasn’t aware of this day until recently, but I rather like the idea.
Feb. 17 is Perfume Day.
I don’t know about you, but…
Even though I don’t use the stuff, I think on the right person, and in the right situation, it can only enhance the atmosphere.
This year Perfume Day falls on Mardi Gras’ “Fat Tuesday,” or the day before the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday.
I don’t know about you, but…
If you ever get a chance to celebrate Mardi Gras in New Orleans, please do not pass up the opportunity. Even though it has been almost 50 years since I was there, my sources tell me the Big Easy still throws the best Mardi Gras celebration in America. This non-stop party is known for its packed crowds, music, food, parades, and much more, such as beads and doubloons thrown from balconies and floats. Having been there, I feel it is an event best enjoyed in person.
I don’t know about you, but…
Even though Feb. 20 is Love Your Pet Day, at the Christakos household every day is Love Your Pet Day.
You didn’t think I could write a column without the mention of food or drink, did you? Feb. 22 is National Margarita Day.
I don’t know about you, but…
Any day has the possibility of being a Margarita Day. I prefer my margarita plain, on the rocks, with no salt. But how to enjoy a margarita is a personal thing; and I say there is no wrong way, if it’s the way you enjoy your margarita. Just remember to consume in moderation. Although I have no experiences along this line, I have been told by country music artist Joe Nichols that tequila can make one’s clothes fall off.
I don’t know about you, but…
I guess I should close with the thought of the month. Since February is Black History Month, I am choosing a quote from Harriet Tubman who, among other accomplishments, was one of the best known leaders of the Underground Railroad that helped slaves to freedom in the 1850s. “Keep the faith; every great dream begins with a dreamer. Remember you have within you the strength, patience and the passion to reach for the stars, to change the world”.
I don’t know about you, but…
My ramblings have worn me out, and since the weather is brutal outside, you know what that means. Yep, nap time. Be safe.
