Leaping
On the tenth day of whenever,
my true love sent to me
Ten toyboys leaping….
I started out with a different kind of leaping in mind. Honest!
In my lifetime I have lived through a few of these leaping days. Sixteen to be exact. In just over a week the total will leap to seventeen.
What am I talking about? February 29th of course, what else?
We are reminded at every turn, that this is a leap year. February 29th had no legal status.
Irish Folklore would have us believe that St. Bridget complained to St. Patrick about women having to wait for so long for a man to propose. St. Patrick said the yearning females could propose on this one day in February during the leap year.
Meanwhile across the Irish Sea, a 1288 law by Queen Margaret of Scotland (then age five and living in Norway), required that fines be levied if a marriage proposal was refused by the man; compensation ranged from a kiss to payment for a silk dress or a pair of gloves.
A little dubious don’t you think? The Gregorian calendar only came into existence in 1582.
Now if this is the road you wish to travel…. take it handy.
He may not yell ‘Yes!’ straight away. There’ are a number of reasons that he might be slow to give you the answer you want, he might be plain surprised or even shocked. Give him some time to get used to the idea. Even if he doesn’t say ‘Yes’ this time, maybe it’ll be the perfect nudge for him to ask you next time!
Of course, I would never get away with it. Nobody would believe that I was being serious! I would probably be told that at my age I should have more sense. Elly would be straight round to the Home for the Bewildered to have me pushed up the list!!
♥ ♥ ♥
BBC Radio 4 PM programme are asking people to use the 29th February to do some thing special. Anything started on this day is sure of success. It made me think….
A day to do something different.
Climb a mountain
Take a helicopter flight
Close the Laptop for a day – full 24 hours
A time to start some thing new like:
Learn to play an instrument
Join a group activity
Rediscover an old hobby
Start a ‘Pot Luck’ lunch club*
What do you think? Do you have any other ideas to add to the list?
The Laughing Housewife said,
February 21, 2012 at 9:55 am
‘Close the Laptop for a day’ - gasp! Wash your mouth out with soap!
speccy said,
February 21, 2012 at 11:11 am
It’s the perfect day to launch the NI Rare Disease Partnership
Grannymar said,
February 21, 2012 at 11:17 am
Tilly - I wondered who would be the first to come up with that answer.
speccy - And well done you for all the work so far!
Ursula said,
February 21, 2012 at 12:03 pm
Grannymar, I wouldn’t climb a mountain. What for? I am as conceited as Moses: Let the mountain climb me.
Do I have ideas? Yes, so many that your good Elly would ensure that I was ahead of you in the queue. And be put in a separate room. I suppose we could always signal each other through the wall. Let me know. And don’t forget to pack a spoon so we can dig our way out of there.
U
Nick said,
February 21, 2012 at 1:22 pm
Eat 29 chocolate biscuits? Spend 29 minutes cleaning? Ring 29 friends? Donate £29 to charity?
Grannymar said,
February 21, 2012 at 2:01 pm
Ursula - Do you EVER have anything positive to say or share with others? If you are so full of ideas why not tell us. Are you afraid that others will all suddenly turn ‘Ursula’ and tear you apart?
Nelly said,
February 21, 2012 at 2:02 pm
I am a Leap Year wife. We celebrate our fourth wedding anniversary in August. Once I got that ‘yes’ from him I wasted no time!
Grannymar said,
February 21, 2012 at 2:03 pm
Nick - I do like the idea of your ’29s’. If it was a fine day, I would love to climb the Cavehill again.
Grannymar said,
February 21, 2012 at 2:07 pm
Nelly - I remember that, and was thinking of you when I wrote this piece. You were right to give him the nudge, and I am sure he is still mighty happy about it. Enjoy your pancakes today!
Delirious said,
February 21, 2012 at 3:18 pm
Okay all you single ladies out there, Ramana is still available!
Grannymar said,
February 21, 2012 at 3:23 pm
Delirious -
I am sure there will be a long queue! 
Rummuser said,
February 21, 2012 at 3:42 pm
Now, Delirious has got the right idea. How about 29 prospects to choose from?
Grannymar said,
February 21, 2012 at 3:50 pm
Ramana - Are there 29 prospects? I would have said there were more than that.
wisewebwoman said,
February 21, 2012 at 4:13 pm
I’m still mesmerized by the ten toyboys leaping, gimme a minute….or six…..
XO
WWW
Grannymar said,
February 21, 2012 at 4:34 pm
WWW - I don’t blame you!
The Old Fossil said,
February 21, 2012 at 4:42 pm
What about married guys like me and Mayo? How about some of you gals propose to us so that we have to kiss you to pay the fine?
Grannymar said,
February 21, 2012 at 4:48 pm
Tee O - Sorry pal, it doesn’t work with married men!
The Old Fossil said,
February 21, 2012 at 4:55 pm
Probably just as well. The Lady Fossil would NOT have found it amusing.
Grannymar said,
February 21, 2012 at 4:57 pm
Tee O - She would soon send you leaping!
Maria from Silver Fox said,
February 21, 2012 at 6:07 pm
When I was young, I had a friend who was born on the 29th of Feb. Her parents gave her a gold chain with one pearl on the next Feb. 29th and then every four years they added a pearl. I thought it was the greatest idea and was completely jealous.
I am thinking 29 small chocoates, but that is probably only because it is nearly lunch time, and my thoughts are in my stomach.
Grannymar said,
February 21, 2012 at 6:45 pm
Maria SF - I can understand how you felt jealous of your friend, the pears chain sounds like my kind of thing. I have finished dinner and 29 small chocolates would go down well with my coffee.
Alice said,
February 21, 2012 at 10:08 pm
By golly you’re right! There are 29 days in Feb this year. I’d do something different, but I have a doctor’s appointment–same old, same old. It’ll make for good conversation, however, just knowing about that extra day this month. Whatever you do, do tell us about it later!
Grannymar said,
February 22, 2012 at 12:30 pm
Alice - Good luck for 29th! As for telling you…. I might!;)
Brighid said,
February 23, 2012 at 5:16 am
What fun it would be to go flying in a whirly bird again…I love those things.
Grannymar said,
February 23, 2012 at 9:18 am
Brighid - That sounds like great fun. I’ll wave from the ground!