Laissez les bon temps rouler!

Happy Fat Tuesday, everyone!

As I wrote 84 years ago, now that we have sanity restored somewhat in our government, we will take a break from politics from time to time to delve into more cultural topics—which, of course, may touch on politics as well.

Today is the final day before the Christian Lenten season, when believers prepare to celebrate the resurrection of their messiah, Jesus. The season has definitely become less rigorous from its origins; Christians would fast for the forty days of Lent, which may have influenced the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Now, at least when I was growing up Catholic, we give up something for Lent and eat fish on Fridays. (I'm not quite sure what those who are neither Catholic nor Eastern Orthodox do. Protestants, for the most part, were against such popish fancies.)

But, of course, before self-abnegation, comes the party. "Mardi Gras" means "Fat Tuesday", as people had one final orgiastic blow-out before turning to matters more spiritual.

Obviously, in this time of COVID, celebrations in places like New Orleans, Venice, and Brazil have had to accommodate themselves to the realities of the pandemic.

"Yardi Gras" was a response to a virus seeking to rob us of all joy. People the world over deck out their gardens in true Fat Tuesday style. The human spirit is indomitable, and people will adapt to the situations in which they live to bring out that joy which would otherwise be denied them.

Today, imbibe the mood-altering drug of your choice, eat lots of food, and hope for next year in Nawlins.