As I post this, Mardi Gras is over and Lent has started for Christians or those raised in the Christian tradition. Wikipedia suggests that,
Lent is a solemn religious observance in the Christian liturgical calendar commemorating the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert, according to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, before beginning his public ministry, during which he endured temptation by Satan. Which days are enumerated as being part of Lent differs between denominations, although in all of them Lent is described as lasting for a total duration of 40 days. In Western Churches, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends approximately six weeks later; depending on the Christian denomination and local custom….
Here in Omaha, that means “Fish Fry Fridays” are getting underway. I DO like fish and chips, but I haven’t partaken of the Omaha Fish Fry scene as it appears to be mostly an opportunity to stand in a long line waiting for your fish dinner while consuming large quantities of beer. That’s probably an exaggeration (it IS completely based on conversations overheard from others), but one does get that impression, (or at least I have). Now don’t think I’m totally opposed to an occasional beer (generally I prefer Guinness), but I don’t care for even that in large quantities and I’m perfectly capable of finding (or preparing my own) fish and chips when I have the desire, so the “scene” doesn’t seem very attractive to me, especially since Bonnie likes neither fish, nor beer. There are several things she enjoys at our favorite Irish pub, however, so we usually go there when I’m dying for fish. The fact that they also have Guinness on tap doesn’t bother me either. But enough of that…
Lent begins after all the partying of Carnival (which ends with Mardi Gras) and is (theoretically) supposed to be a solemn 40 day season that ends with the great celebration of Easter. I’ve not ever really seen this followed very strictly (especially by the Irish around St. Patrick’s Day, which always comes during Lent), but I’ve never lived in a monastery or a convent, either, so I can’t say it never is such a time. Not being a particularly strict and active follower of orthodox Christian tradition, Lent isn’t of great importance to me, although I DO think it serves a legitimate, religious purpose for those who choose to have it do so.
However, I don’t choose to spend this time in mourning so that I can celebrate Easter. It’s also true, of course, that Easter is inextricably linked with Jewish Passover celebrations and numerous spring equinox celebrations from cultures all over the world. In fact, the word, easter, is derived from Eastre (Northumbrian Eostre), from Proto-Germanic *austron-, "dawn," also the name of a goddess of fertility and spring, perhaps originally of sunrise, whose feast was celebrated at the spring equinox. Since the equinox falls during the early spring (Duh!), that seems perfectly reasonable to me.
In any event, I refuse to go out of my way to be unhappy for forty days every year. Life is just too short, and reality is depressing enough. So, here are a few things to try to cheer people up. If you find that offensive, don’t go on, or wait until Lent is over.
Anyone who has followed this blog for very long knows that I have a passion for signs. I find them to be infinitely fascinating as they can be intended to be amusing, amusing by accident, or amusing completely by mistake. But they often ARE amusing and, sometimes, I find them and get a laugh. Laughs are important, so I collect such pictures to use on those occasions when a laugh seems desirable. Since I enjoy a good laugh, that can be almost anytime that I don’t have something more serious on my mind.
Here’s a favorite of mine that I encountered in a store near Christmas a few years ago.
Lent begins after all the partying of Carnival (which ends with Mardi Gras) and is (theoretically) supposed to be a solemn 40 day season that ends with the great celebration of Easter. I’ve not ever really seen this followed very strictly (especially by the Irish around St. Patrick’s Day, which always comes during Lent), but I’ve never lived in a monastery or a convent, either, so I can’t say it never is such a time. Not being a particularly strict and active follower of orthodox Christian tradition, Lent isn’t of great importance to me, although I DO think it serves a legitimate, religious purpose for those who choose to have it do so.
However, I don’t choose to spend this time in mourning so that I can celebrate Easter. It’s also true, of course, that Easter is inextricably linked with Jewish Passover celebrations and numerous spring equinox celebrations from cultures all over the world. In fact, the word, easter, is derived from Eastre (Northumbrian Eostre), from Proto-Germanic *austron-, "dawn," also the name of a goddess of fertility and spring, perhaps originally of sunrise, whose feast was celebrated at the spring equinox. Since the equinox falls during the early spring (Duh!), that seems perfectly reasonable to me.
In any event, I refuse to go out of my way to be unhappy for forty days every year. Life is just too short, and reality is depressing enough. So, here are a few things to try to cheer people up. If you find that offensive, don’t go on, or wait until Lent is over.
Anyone who has followed this blog for very long knows that I have a passion for signs. I find them to be infinitely fascinating as they can be intended to be amusing, amusing by accident, or amusing completely by mistake. But they often ARE amusing and, sometimes, I find them and get a laugh. Laughs are important, so I collect such pictures to use on those occasions when a laugh seems desirable. Since I enjoy a good laugh, that can be almost anytime that I don’t have something more serious on my mind.
Here’s a favorite of mine that I encountered in a store near Christmas a few years ago.
Makes ya think, doesn’t it…. The scary thing is, it just might be true….
Thinking back to my last post, brings this one to mind (although it wasn’t really a sign)…
Thinking back to my last post, brings this one to mind (although it wasn’t really a sign)…
Shortly before Xmas, I saw this one which seemed to be worthy of passing on, although perhaps I should have done it then…
Nothing against Mr. Bieber, but I don’t think of him and Chritmas carols in the same breath! (And, NO, I did NOT change the spelling of “Christmas,” that’s how I found it!)
That brings to mind the fact that far too many people, far too often just don’t proof their work adequately before they publish it. Yes, I HAVE been guilty of this, but I can also enjoy it when someone else is guilty (and be embarrassed when the fault is mine). But, THIS one is just funny…
That brings to mind the fact that far too many people, far too often just don’t proof their work adequately before they publish it. Yes, I HAVE been guilty of this, but I can also enjoy it when someone else is guilty (and be embarrassed when the fault is mine). But, THIS one is just funny…
If it doesn’t jump off the page at you, look more closely. It’s surprising! Or, maybe it isn’t.
Speaking of surprises, this picture was surprising to me….
Speaking of surprises, this picture was surprising to me….
On the other hand, given what I know about the Internet, computers and social media, THIS one wasn’t…
Of course, such things were somewhat spoiled a LONG time ago by being warned by THIS cartoon from The New Yorker
Speaking of “Things Nobody Knows,” did THIS ever bother you?
Then, of course, there’s also a major problem of “Adulthood” which NOBODY has yet resolved…
I’ll be back,
LLAP,
Dr. B
“Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic; capable of both
inflicting injury, and remedying it.” ―Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
P.S. I FINALLY got away from “serious” stuff. It could be a mistake, as there is plenty of serious stuff to consider, but it made me happy! RSB
P.P.S. Enjoy some fish and chips, and, maybe a beer, on St. Paddy’s Day. I like mine with Tartar sauce and no catsup, if you have other preferences, that’s okay, too. RSB
LLAP,
Dr. B
“Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic; capable of both
inflicting injury, and remedying it.” ―Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
P.S. I FINALLY got away from “serious” stuff. It could be a mistake, as there is plenty of serious stuff to consider, but it made me happy! RSB
P.P.S. Enjoy some fish and chips, and, maybe a beer, on St. Paddy’s Day. I like mine with Tartar sauce and no catsup, if you have other preferences, that’s okay, too. RSB
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