Muses

Ashes are to Ashes as Dust is to Lemon Pledge.

Yes. In the Christian calendar, today was Ash Wednesday.

Our church holds its service in the evening. Too bad because we can’t go around with our ashes on all day. I made it to the pool today and a woman I have gotten to know had her ashes on. Well, they were there before she started to swim. Don’t know about after.

As a child, I thought that so exotic. There were people (probably Catholic) who went to a early Mass and got to wear these mystical gray smudges on their forehead all day.

Ash Wednesday marks the start of —–>>>

Which lasts for —>>>>>

Every year I give up sweets. Ho Hum.

I have since high school. And that was a heck of a long time ago.

I have been pretty successful abstaining from desserts for 40 days except during law school. First year a fellow law student gave me a box of chocolates. I ate the entire box that day.

First year of law school was very stressful for me.

Tonight the usual suspects turned up.

And I really dressed up.

When the service started, I thought it not very reverent to be taking photos.

As a blogging professional I do set boundaries.

Then my husband photo bombed me during the hymn.

Yes, I took one last photo during the hymn than put my phone away and listened.

The use of ashes in the service reminds us of our mortality.

¹⁹ By the sweat of your brow
you will eat your food
until you return to the ground,
since from it you were taken;
for dust you are
and to dust you will return.”

That hit me hard this year after seeing my dad. When you see a body after life has left — there’s no way that doesn’t impact you.

I like Lent. I love to think about these things.

Sacrifice. What does it mean in the 21st Century?

Eternity.

Why the heck do I fixate on such temporal matters?

In between laundry loads and Valentine parties.

My spirit awakes this time of year.

What about you? Do you recognize Lent?

Or fast from something?