FAT TUESDAY

This is "Fat Tuesday" or Shrove Tuesday, the day before the beginning of Lent. If you are Episcopal that means you go to church tonight and eat lots of pancakes in preparation for the Lenten fast of 40 days. We usually give up something like chocolate, Coca Cola, or something else that we regard as a sacrifice. It is one of those traditions that we have to remind us of the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus. Right now I don't much feel like eating pancakes and won't this year since it is also super Tuesday. I had already planned to join friends for a little election celebration this evening before I realized the conflict. I will, though, attend the Ash Wednesday service at my church tomorrow evening and a study group on subsequent Wednesdays. I enjoy the period of Lent and feel like it is a beneficial time for me spiritually.

Speaking of Super Tuesday, I think that watching the Primary returns tonight will be a little bit like watching the Super Bowl. It will be a nail biter to the end which will be when the California votes are tallied sometime late tonight. I thought that Hillary was "sparkling" on Letterman last night as well as being a super politician.

I also thought that it was touching last night to see Craig Ferguson, The Late Late Show, take his oath of citizenship on his show. It was especially apropos politically since a huge percentage of those taking their oath were Mexican. And it didn't hurt any that Hillary came on in a little spot announcement and congratulated Craig on becoming a citizen. Most of us take citizenship for granted and never think about the solemn occasion that it is for those who are participants. It reminds me of the feeling that I get when we baptize someone at church and the rest of us say a few lines reminding us of our own baptism.