Do you know who Cupid really is?

By Tracy Anderson

You've seen him in the movies, in cartoons and on numerous Valentine cards. But do you know who Cupid really is?

Now that Valentine's Day is just around the corner, here's a brief history of this timeless character who brings lovers together and mends broken hearts.

Of course, Cupid generally needs no introduction. He's that little boy with wings who shoots arrows that turn people into lovers. He is seen as either nude or diapered and is sometimes blindfolded - hence the expression "love is blind."

Cupid's name comes from the Latin word "cupido" which means desire. Although he is often pictured as a pious angel, Cupid was actually the god of erotic love and beauty in Roman mythology. His mission was to make people fall in love or engage in physical intimacy.

There are two sides to Cupid's origins. To the Greeks, he was known as Eros, the son of Nyx (the goddess of the night) and Erebus (the symbol of darkness and shadow) who delighted in debauchery.

In the Roman version, Cupid was the son of Mars (the god of war) and Venus, the goddess of love. To the Romans, Cupid was a lively youth, a practical joker and one who liked to spread love.

Both versions, however, tell the same story. Cupid's mom Venus was extremely jealous of the beautiful Princess Psyche who was loved by the people.

Infuriated at the thought that more people were worshipping Psyche, Venus ordered Cupid to shoot the former with an arrow. Her goal was to make Psyche fall in love with the poorest and ugliest man in the world.

But Venus' evil plan went wrong. When Cupid saw Psyche, he was struck by her awesome beauty and dropped an arrow on his foot. That made him fall in love with the lovely princess.

"Following that, Cupid visited Psyche every night in his invisible form and told her not to try to see him. Psyche, though, incited by her two older sisters who told her Cupid was a monster, tried to look at him and angered Cupid. When he left, she looked all over the known world for him until at last the leader of the gods, Jupiter, gave Psyche the gift of immortality so that she could be with him. Together they had a daughter, Voluptas (Pleasure) and Psyche became a goddess of the soul," according to the editors of Wikipedia.

Through the years, Cupid has emerged as a popular symbol of Valentine's Day. This famous icon and his tale of undying love have inspired lovers throughout the world.

About the Author:

So the next time you celebrate Valentine's Day, don't forget the story of Cupid. To make sure that you do it in style, nothing is more romantic than sending your loved one a bouquet of beautiful red roses or other special flowers professionally designed and hand delivered by your local florist. For details, visit http://www.discountflowerdeliverycanton.info/.

The Benefits Of Vacuum Sealer Food Storage

By Hakeem Awadi

One of the best things you can do to preserve your edibles is to use a Tilia vacuum sealer. You can improve the freezer life of your foods noticeably when you use a vacuum sealer. There are several benefits of using a vacuum sealer food storage system in your home.

A vacuum storage bag contains the food smells inside the storage bag which holds the food. The storage bags also protect the food against additional odors which may affect its taste. The airtight seal which your vacuum sealer creates will make it particularly unlikely for odors or substances to seep into or out of the bag. Not only can this properly store your food, but your home will smell cleaner as a result.

Also, keeping your food in food storage bags enables you to contain foods in the portions that you require. storing your food in specific quantities will give you the option to thaw and use only what you want for one meal. Recording on the bags the volume measurements and the kind of food inside will help you identify exactly what you need to open. This will make it more convenient for you to make your favorite recipes, because the food you need is now pre-measured. As a consequence, food storage bags also will do away with leftovers and wasted food.

One more benefit of protecting your food with a Tilia vacuum sealer is that the vacuum helps you to marinate your meat products in the bags. Should you add marinade or other ingredients to some meat prior to sealing it in the bag, the vacuum sealing technology will draw the flavor into the meat. Whether you plan to use the meat that evening or freeze it for several weeks, the flavor will be preserved. Not only can your meat stay fresh and hold on to its own flavor, but the marinade will work faster and more completely when you use vacuum technology Imagine it - you might never again be required to baste or turn your meat in the refrigerator!

Storing your food in vacuum sealer bags helps you to use less space in your cupboards and cold storage unit. Because a vacuum sealed product is flat and only takes up as much space as the food inside it, you are not filling your shelves or deep freeze with extra packaging or stale air. Storing more products in less area is always handy, but storing more products in less refrigerated space can result in spending less money on your utility bills, also

One last benefit to using vacuum sealer bags is that your food will be not affected by water damage. This is especially relevant if you store your things in a place that is susceptible to flooding. If you have to store food in your garage, you won't have to be concerned that the spring thaw will damage your dry goods. In fact, if your vacuum bags are the right size, you can even keep important legal documents in a vacuum sealed bag for your protection.

Tilia vacuum sealers food storage is a great method for you to protect your family's food. Not only can you lengthen the life of your foods, but you can also shield them from spoilage and be able to keep their original flavors. The vacuum bags can be used for preparing measurements as well.

About the Author:

Hakeem Awadi owns and operates a vacuum sealers site that educates consumers about vacuum food sealers and more.

Choosing a Good Roofer

By Craig K. Albrecht

If you are in the market to re-shingle your home, whether you are just looking to update, fix minor damages or do a complete hail based re-do, keep one thing in mind: you need a good contractor. It is such a simple concept we apply to other facets of our lives, for instance: I need surgery so I will interview surgeons or I need a daycare provider so I will interview and scope out different locations. However, when it comes to home repair people all too often will hire the first contractor that shows up on their door step. Don't let this mistake happen to you, interview your contractor in the following four areas to find out if he is right for you:

Customer Service - Returned phone calls, being treated with respect and courteous interactions are a must. You would quick banking at an institution that treated you poorly, so why would you tolerate it from someone working on your home? Expect your house to be treated the same way they treat you.

Free Estimates - You shouldn't have to pay for something that will give a contractor business. If he wants the job he will come to you, do the measurements, ask the questions and give you a free and competitive estimate. It's okay to get several estimates from different companies to select the best contractor for you.

Landscaping -Your contractor should be working on the roof, not the azaleas. When he comes to do the estimate watch how he maneuvers around your landscaping. If he doesn't seem to care, then don't expect much to be intact after a new roof is in place.

Insurance - When your adjuster comes to your house he is the middle man between you and the company, with the goal of saving the company money. Do not let him skimp. The best way to insure you will get the money you need to repair you home is to have your contractor there, working with the adjuster to point out the necessary repairs. The interaction needs to be positive to insure a good outcome.

For a good roof repair experience, do your research before you hire. Deal with local companies that you know will be there in the future if you have any problems or follow-up needs. Local companies know that their business next year comes from doing well by their customers this year. They know that you are the reason they are in business and you need to come first.

About the Author:

If you are looking for a good Otsego roofer you won't find better than WJH Construction. WJH Construction is a quality roofing contractor in Otsego MN.

Be Elegant on a Budget: Shop for Purses at Coach

By Jane Carpenter

Each and every modern woman loves to own at least a few designer purses. Too bad that most of the times such bags come with a very high price tag, so some ladies cannot afford buying at least one.

When it comes to dressing up on a budget, you have to be smart and creative. It is perfectly possible to obtain a fabulous look with a not at all fabulous budget. Cheaper does not need to mean uglier or worse quality, be it in purses, shoes or any other clothing accessories. For example, Coach bags cleaning can help them look like new for a long time.

Remember, you don't need to jump into buying any purse from the new collections Coach and other bags designers launch once or twice a year. Usually you can wait to buy them at less than half their initial price, about 6 months after launch. I think it is worth waiting, as the discounts are important and you can save a lot of money this way.

A good way of getting cheap Coach handbags is to buy the winter models in summer and the summer models in winter. Of course, you can look at bags as of an investment. Bags are an investment in you, in the way others perceive you, in your public image.

Bags need to be outstanding, as they are one of the most important clothing accessories for a woman. A bag for a woman is the equivalent of a tie for a man. Everybody notices a beautiful purse, as well as they always notice a very ugly or cheap looking one. You'd better be good in your bag choices. If you are not sure what fits you, watch the celebrities and try to match their style with yours.

Get yourself a matching wallet, each time you buy a new purse. This creates a stylish effect on the viewers, thus helping them label you as one fashionable lady.

Cleaning of your bags should be done with great care. Sometimes water may ruin your purses, so you need to keep them away from water, if the manufacturer so indicates. Your Coach bags are amongst the luckiest ever, because you can buy special maintenance kits which help your bags look like new for longer time.

MMatch your handbags with your size. Overweight and short women should not wear their bags across body. This style rather fits taller ladies, who are slim.

About the Author:

Here's how to find your perfect Coach laptop bag or any other purse of your fashion dreams.

Portland Flower Delivery In Time For Valentine's Day

By Dan Davy

If you are seeking flower delivery to Portland, Oregon for Valentines Day, why not get something other than roses? While roses are an eternal favorite and are well liked by those who receive them, perhaps this is the year that you do something a bit more daring. Why not choose other flowers this year when you are getting flower delivery to Portland, Oregon?

Tulips. Tulips are symbols of spring time. Every year, these flowers mark the arrival of the season of blooms. It is now possible to include tulips in the Valentine's Day favorites as hothouses make it possible to grow this flower even in the middle of winter. Replace red roses with red tulips and arrange these romantic flowers to add more beauty.

You can send tulips in various containers. You may choose to send a bouquet of loose tulips or you can choose from vases and other options. There are more choices now than ever, especially if you shop for flower delivery to Portland online.

Orchids. Orchids are real chameleons. With their lavender and white colors, they can be easily mixed with other flowers to create a lavish bouquet. Orchids are elegant looking, perfect for a special flower delivery to Portland, Oregon to surprise your loved one. Orchids are commonly associated with corsages. Arranging them as a gift will for a change, give it a more sophisticated look fit to make your loved one feel extra remarkable on the Day of Hearts.

Daffodils. Another kind of spring flowers cultivated in many hothouses, choosing daffodils for Valentine's Day is not only a safe choice but a really cheery one! These blooms are perfect for friends, acquaintances, colleagues and basically anyone you're not particularly close with but would want to know more. Daffodils reflect so much enthusiasm and amicability that your friends will surely be happy to receive them on Valentine's Day or on other special occasions.

Instead of sending the usual roses this Valentines Day when you look for flower delivery to Portland, why not do something different and send flowers such as daffodils, tulips and orchids. There are many blooms available in colors as well as in arrangements when you go online and shop for flower delivery to Portland, Oregon.

About the Author:

Never before has flower arrangements been this quick and easy! Grab all the inside information while there's still time at Flower Delivery Portland OR