I like the Friday fish days. We often get some from a nearby restaurant-they have the best fish sandwhiches. It also means Cadbury Cream eggs and spring. Of course, “spring” means more snow right now. Yuck.
We got a foot of snow last night- but it’s almost about freezing, so it’s Spring!
StG, traditional poutine is french fries, gravy, and cheese curds. It’s a heart attack on a plate, and it’s wonderful. Yum. Drool…
No, no, can’t have it unless I make it myself, and I’m not going grocery shopping until Sunday!
Best Lent I ever spent was in Dover, Delaware on the Air Force base. The base chaplain hosted a non-denominational soup and bread lunch with bible study.
It was great; I finally understood what the bible says about what Christ went through during his time in the desert…
I was going through a time when I felt worthless. The chaplain really helped me work through it. In return, I made him an afghan. Yep, we’re even. 
Then make one of your goals this season to learn to make it at home, and make it healthy(er). Like Tibs, I try to stop eating out for lunch. But getting rid of that excess means replacing it with a substitute - making my lunch.
Mass was great last night. I’ve been very bad about going, and it was just what I needed. Apparently, my parish has a priest that memorizes the gospel each week! How impressive is that?
Munch - I didn’t go to my usual parish last week, and the priest in the parish I did attend was so old he could bearly keep his place in the written homily he prepared. I’ve seen him lose his place during the Mass, before. Bot, the church was packed last night. They had chairs set up in the narthex as well as the social hall area and every chair was filled.
StG
Mass for me wasn’t great - I’m very frustrated by the parishes* in this area (Knoxville, TN). I moved here from an area that has a very active church, and fantastic priests (Atlanta) and I just haven’t found the ET diocese to be what I’m looking for. Part of Lent, for me, includes trying to find a way to help find the community I need to keep my faith growing - including, if need be, working within a parish to start setting up these programs. It’s become a struggle to practice my faith because of these issues.
*I really dislike the on-campus parish. It feels like it’s just a social club, not a church. The one close to me is ok - but something doesn’t feel welcoming there. The other one that’s closest to my apartment really seems to ignore their singles - every time I’ve gone there, there’s been a presentation for “Marriage Encounter” weekends, and all sorts of “married this” and “married that” - even though they technically have a singles/young adults program, it’s like it’s ignored. This is really frustrating to me after the parish I came from. The other aspect is that the priests here don’t seem to have any ‘fire’ - their homilies seem canned, whereas where I was, they really seemed from the heart and aimed towards the lives of the parishoners.
That sucks, Lsura. Mr. Lissar and I are dissatisfied with our church, too- we’re Anglican, but leaning heavily towards high Anglo-Catholic/Catholic these days, and our church is getting more and more Pentecostal feeling, and we aren’t really part of the community there anymore. We’re quasi looking for another one.
**Munch, I can’t really think of any way to make poutine healthier, except using low-fat cheese, which is evil. I could make it at home, but we have a very small apartment, and it would reek for days if I deep fried anything, even cheesecake. Heigh ho. I’ll just wait, I think.
Went to our Episcopal Ash Wednesdy service last night, and I have to say a couple of things:
- Love that Lenten Music
- Our associate rector rocks - his sermon was great.
- After reading on this board about how so many people are dissatisfied with their local parish, I thank God that I live close to such a great one.
Back to the OP, I’ve decided to fast (sunrise to sunset) each Wednesday during Lent (and Good Friday). I found yesterday that it really helped me to not forget what day it was.
I remember growing up it was always red meat we gave up during Lent. That meant lots of fish and chicken. Thing is I really, really, really like chicken. I could eat it three times a day. In fact, I eat chicken almost every day. So, I decided to give up chicken for Lent. I’ll miss that way more than red meat. Goodbye Colonel! Goodbye Maryland Fried Chicken! Goodbye great home cookin’ cafe that makes really good fried chicken and chicken and dressing! Yes, they make other stuff at the great home cookin’ cafe but I won’t go there during Lent. The temptation would be too great.
Okay, here’s my progress for Lent:
Gave up -
Swearing
Chocolate
Ahem hem.
Playstation 2. Just the games: the DVD function of it is not technically a gaming feature, therefore it is still acceptable to watch Jesus Christ, Superstar on DVD as it is a holy film with Judas as played by Carl Anderson.
Day 1 - 7:05 AM. Broke the first one
Day 2, Morning - Had a nice mini muffin. I noticed the first one I picked up was chocolate chip. Put it down, grabbed another one hoping it was different but having suspicisions otherwise. Turned out it was chocolate chip.
Day 2, early evening - Broke the third
It is now Day 2.
The PS2 resolution is still intact. I wasn’t even planning on giving up it up or chocolate until Wednesday morning and I felt guilty enough to add something to the list of items given up. In the natural order of things there were three ways to relieve someone’s stress and they were the first three on my list. It’s causing me to lose my will to live. Will check back in later.