Shrink in the Kitchen

It’s a mere 19 days until Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent.

Back when I was growing up, lots of kids and grown-up’s had little black ash crosses smeared on their foreheads as a sign of repentance.

Nowadays, fewer foreheads evince remorse.  I think Patti Smith has had an impact through singing: “Jesus died for somebody’s sins, but not mine. G-L-O-R-I-A!  Gloria!  G-L-O-R-I-A!”

Ashes aside, giving up certain foods is (or was) a big part of Lent.  Meat was usually forsaken–Why hast Thou forsaken me?–and candy and desserts, etc.

But what will people be giving up this year?

40 Days is a long time to do without a cookie.