My Funny Valentine
For Valentine’s Day this year, me and the missus decided to do something different. Instead of celebrating at home or attending one of the many Valentine’s Day dinners around the mountain, we headed out to Las Vegas, where we stayed at what used to be The Stratosphere Hotel and Casino.
Nowadays, it’s just called “The Strat.” The Strat, which is known for having the tallest, freestanding observation tower in the USA, stretching 1,149 feet towards the heavens, is a place we have frequented many times over the years, but never on Valentine’s Day.
Folks come from all over the globe and shell out a hundred and thirty bucks to jump off the roof. Don’t to worry, they’re safely strapped to a harness hooked to a cable, which offers them a free fall until the last 30 feet or so, when it slows down for a soft landing below.
The missus kept egging me on to jump, but I politely declined. The only problem was that I wanted to be strapped to the cable prior to the leap. Yes, she’s the vindictive type and she’s still steamed about this year’s Valentine’s Day gift. Being the practical person that I am, I got her a brand spankin’ new ironing board. Well, in a few days I should recover from the lump on my head I got from my considerate and practical gift.
Some women just don’t know a good thing when they see it. It’s almost as bad as last year when I got the one I love the most…I mean besides the cat, something even more practical, a shiny new snow blower. Well, that ungrateful woman took that shiny new snowblower and blew the cat and me both down the ice chute that had taken over our driveway.
Believe it or not, our marriage is still going strong, even after 47 years of my corny jokes. She actually thinks I’m funny…I mean besides funny looking, but she’s funny too.
“My funny Valentine, sweet comic Valentine, you make me smile with my heart… yet you’re my favorite work of art. But don’t change a hair for me, not if you care for me. Stay little Valentine, stay. Each day is Valentine’s Day.” (“My Funny Valentine” – Frank Sinatra – 1954)
Take it from me; if you’re a guy don’t get your gal a fancy new ironing board for Valentine’s Day or a shiny new snowblower…unless you want a lump on the head.
Anyway, we enjoyed a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner, as we watched dozens of world travelers whizzing past our window at The Strat’s revolving Top of the World Restaurant, 108 floors above the Las Vegas Strip.
By the way, she still thinks I’m funny.
“My funny Valentine, sweet comic Valentine, you make me smile with my heart. Your looks are laughable, unphotographable, yet you’re my favorite work of art. But don’t change a hair for me, not if you care for me. Stay little Valentine, stay. Each day is Valentine’s Day.”
Keep it flyin’, Uncle Mott