St. Valentine’s Day is not a holiday that I usher in with much fanfare. Professionally, I decorate the adult display center in my branch with St. Valentine’s Day items and arrange books and DVDS on said display relevant to the immediately aforementioned holiday as well as material related to heart health. On a personal level, aside from placing a paper St. Valentine’s Day decoration on my door and dispatching one of the Library's vintage St. Valentine’s Day e-cards to my nephew and niece, respectively, I do not engage in any form of celebration of the holiday. I am also past the age where I lament the absence of flowers and candy being presented to me on that day. (My niece finds it simply incredulous that there was ever a time when I was the recipient of roses and male amorous attention. At seventeen years of age, Amanda is apparently convinced that I entered this planet in my forties, with a rather ample girth.)

I was shopping in the supermarket, attempting to recall if I required any additional diet soda (I like to delude myself into believing that diet soda washes away any calories I ingest), when my cart inadvertently collided with another shopper’s. I began to murmur an apology for my culpability in said collision, when the operator of the other shopping cart exclaimed, “Muriel! How nice to, well, literally run into you!” Lisa is a fellow parishioner at my church.

"I am so happy that I encountered you here, as I wanted to express my appreciation for your providing me with the information on the 'Books-by-Mail' program! After my husband's minor cardiac incident a few months ago, he represented the living embodiment of the term 'stir-crazy!' Scott was unable, because of certain restrictions imposed on him by his cardiologist, to perform household repairs or even vigorously exercise. While he was in the cardiac rehabilitation center, he was quite relieved to know he could read e-books and access databases (he assiduously used the MEDLINEplus database for further edification of the tests his MD proposed for Scott), free of charge courtesy of the Library, on his computer tablet. However, I inadvertently dropped Scott's tablet while escorting him home from the cardiac rehabilitation center one afternoon, and he morphed into a petulant schoolboy! Muriel, he was so bored, he actually offered to help organize my pocketbook!" (Lisa and I shared a collective shudder at the mere thought!) After you provided me with the Books-by-Mail application, Scott's visiting nurse completed her portion of the form. She shot me a quizzical look as I sprinted out of my front door before the ink had a chance to dry on said form, but, after all, she is not the one who had to gently albeit forcibly restrain her husband from rearranging her jewelry box! Scott adored receiving one of those packages from the NYPL containing his requested books, CDs and DVDs. And, I loved the fact that the Library provided a postage paid, pre-addressed envelope with each shipment, as well as a form to request additional items to borrow from within the NYPL's Circulating collection, saving me both time and money. Two precious commodities, to be sure! Thankfully, Scott is now able to again visit our local branch."

Loquacious Lisa continued. "The information that you provided solved one problem that hovered over my marriage, but now St. Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and I just do not know how to properly celebrate the day with my husband! I don’t dare risk causing too much overt excitement over the day in light of Scott's heart ailment, but I’d like to avoid rendering our marriage a lackluster union.” One of life’s greatest enigmas is the fact that a simply staggering number of entities during my life have approached me for advice (which I resolutely eschew dispensing) on all matters amorous. The immediately aforementioned occurrences are inexplicable when one considers the fact that I am a woman who resides with a passel of felines. Hence, it remains incomprehensible to me as to why I am apparently, as adjudged from the surfeit of inquiries I receive on the topic, considered the Oracle of Delphi on all matters romantic. The situation is analogous to Mother Teresa seeking child care advice from Joan Crawford. “Lisa,” I diplomatically began, “you know I never interfere in anyone else’s marriage or even romantic relationship.” Seizing me by my upper arms, Lisa looked me earnestly in the eyes and implored, ‘Please, Muriel?!? What if I end up living alone with a bunch of cats…” Lisa sensed her social faux-pas as she released her grip on my upper arms and then brushed a cat hair off my coat, pasted a transparently false cheerful look on her countenance and inquired, “So, how are your darling cats?” After assuring Lisa that my ego and cats were fine, I again attempted to leave, only for Lisa to dramatically bite her lip to forestall the tide of tears that threatened to flow. She sniffed, "That's okay, Muriel. I'm sure my heart patient husband will comprehend if I do not demonstrate my love to him on St. Valentine's Day with a special event. After all, what can a paucity of demonstrable affection do—induce his death?"

Not wishing to bear even the least bit of culpability for another's death, I sighed and cast my mind back over the list of upcoming events scheduled to convene at different library branches. "Well, I recall reading that the 115th Street branch is hosting a crochet/knitting circle at noon on St. Valentine's Day with a viewing of a movie to follow. And, the Library contains the highly relevant book, Crochet Red: Crocheting for Women's Heart Health in its collection. Perhaps Scott would like to learn how to crochet, maybe creating something for your birthday in May? And, one of the great American classic movies directed by Billy Wilder, Double Indemnity, is scheduled to be viewed at the Mid-Manhattan Branch on the day after St. Valentine's Day at 2 pm. The Library contains a large number of cookbooks laden with heart-healthy recipes in its collection, so you shouldn't experience any dilemma in securing ideas for a cardiac salubrious meal for your husband on St. Valentine's Day." Lisa inquired as to the admittance fee for the above programs, and was overjoyed when I explained that all programs, events, exhibitions and classes are free of charge. "Just access the Now! publication on-line or pick up a physical copy of Now! from any NYPL branch to view a listing of activities occurring within the library system." After profusely thanking me for the hopefully marriage-enhancing information, Lisa bid me adieu in the snacks aisle, where I noticed a display of the limited edition Red Velvet Oreos...

Books

• Mayo Clinic Healthy Heart for Life
• The American Heart Association Guide to Preventing and Treating Heart Disease
• Cardiology
• Say NO to Heart Disease
• Best Practices for a Healthy Heart
• Prevent a Second heart attack
• Perspectives on Disease and Disorders: Heart Disease
• Tell Me the Truth, Doctor
• The Heart of the Matter
• Heart Health: Your Questions Answered
• The Heart of the Matter: the African-American's Guide to Heart Disease, Heart Treatment and Heart Wellness
• Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum's Heart Book
• Crochet Red: Crocheting for Women's Heart Health
• Martha Stewart's Handmade Holiday Crafts: 225 Inspired Projects for Year-Round Celebrations
• Betty Crocker's Healthy Heart Cookbook
• The Go Red for Women Cookbook
• Table for Two: French Recipes for Romantic Dining
• 52 Foods and Supplements for a Healthy Heart
• Chocolate Covered Murder
• The Chocolate Cupid Killings
• Romeo and Juliet
• Waiting to Exhale
• First Sight
• A Vision in Velvet
• The Notebook
• Minding Frankie

DVDs

• Dr. Lori Mosca's 3 Keys to Heart Health
• The Angry Heart: the impact of racism on heart disease among African Americans
• An Affair to remember
• You've Got Mail
• Must Love Dogs
• Dr. Zhivago

Websites

• Mayo Clinic
• American Heart Association