Here's a card I actually got during my last visit to West Linn from Tony and Anne Marie Bracco. It was their holiday card. It features a very loving group of Fisher-Price figures 'holding' signs with various slogans.

One that didn't make the cut was honestly my favorite. Their daughter, Luna, came up with "No gas for bananas!"

With St. Patrick's almost here, I'll take a moment to reflect back once more on St. Valentine's.

My brother, Nick Nolan, gave me this one he made himself featuring Charles Darwin. Nick printed only one copy of it.

I select you, Naturally (from Nick)

Here are the cards Trish and I made for each other.

How Justin Is Sweet (Top)

• He makes breakfast
• He types mommy's papers
• He carries momma's table to the car
• He plays lego + sword
• He likes to go swimming as a family
• He helps his friends and neighbors
• He does the dishes
• He signed up for coffee duty at church
• He takes care of the yard
• He picks mommy up from work
• He makes excellent stir fry and goddess dressing
• He takes good care of H
• He reads storis
• He makes us laugh
• He helps other clowns

I made hers at the Pirate Ball. It featured a pop-up heart and said "Ma jolie belle/ you make my heart swell".

I also got quite a few from the 2nd grade class at Madison Elementary. Although I hadn't actually been in the classroom for several weeks I had reminded the teacher that adults enjoy getting cards.

She added my name, her name and the names of the four other classroom helpers to their lists... all six of us... by hand... on all 18 students' lists! with minutes to spare before they were sent home.

The upshot was that I got a batch of mostly factory-made Valentine's from the kids. They featured: Scooby Doo, Sponge Bob, Tootsie Roll pop, Bratz, a Pencil (w/ hearts), 3 feet of fruit by the foot, Wonka fun dip, “Let’s bug out” iridescent green beetle hologram, Spiderman chocolate, Roller hockey, Fat Emile from Ratatouille, Donald Duck, Candy hearts in a plastic heart box that says “You’re fun”, Superman, Stickers with facial features, Lego sticker puzzle, and two or three heart shaped lollies.

Then I got my walking papers, sending me to a new school and a new class. And they gave me a new batch of cards, but all hand-made and heart felt.

“This is me I am crieing”

“Fairewell to Justin/ Dear Justin I hope you have a good time at your new shcool”

“I love eww/ I mis ww”

“Good luck Justin, I hope you have a good time there. Good buy. (Decorated w/ tear drops)

“Dear Justin thanks so muth I hop you have a grat time by by Best friend”

“Dear Justin I hop you hasv a gud day to the noow scul”

“By! (w/ crying face stick figure)

Spiderman pencil, stickers, erasers

Marvin the Martian keychain

Krazy Kryptonite stretchy compound

Madison Lion's Coffee Cup

Gift card to Applebee’s.

Actually they made quite a fuss. I only hinted 8 times the two days prior.

Handmade by Mrs. W, the secretary of Madison, a true clown.