Tuesday, February 16th.... known to many today as Fat Tuesday or Madi Gras. A day of celebration and excess. Since the Saints win at the Super Bowl, I am sure that Madi Gras started a tad early and has been continuing since. However, today is offically the day that is set for this celebration. Parties will be held, shirts will be lifted in order to gain the coveted beads that represent the event, and other acts possibly too graphic to post will be executed today... All because of what falls tomorrow - the Christian tradition of Lent. Or at least that is how it all got started. 
Yet today there will be those who will eat their weight in Paczkis, the traditional Fat Tuesday doughnut. I guess in some way it is the way we approach many things when we know that it will require sacrifice from us. We endulge in it until the moment we decide we will sustain from it. As if the excess we experienced in a short period of time will somehow keep us from desiring it during the time we are away from it. There are some things that this may work for... For instance when a loved one is going away and the distance will be for a time. The excess of time spent together helps to build memories that can help us to deal with the time apart in a better manner.
Maybe it is just an excuse to party in the middle of the week. I mean honestly most of us do not go out on a Tuesday like we would on a Friday or a Saturday night. An honest assumption. There are those that will take any excuse they can find to have a little fun and who can blame them, especially with Madi Gras as it is the party of all parties. Although I have never participated in an honest to goodness Madi Gras / Fat Tuesday celebration I have always sort of thought of it as the wild parties likened to ancient Rome. Lots of drink, food and craziness. Plus a little more drink. Such combinations always lead to a morning after where many may not necessarily remember much of the night before. Of course I know that not all such celebrations end up in this way it is just the concept that has always somewhat confused me.... The noise makers will be loud tonight with horns blowing and beads flying.... Tomorrow there will be silence... Never the less.... I hope that all who decide to partake in this holiday have a grand time and do not end up in any more trouble then they can handle.
14 comments:
I've been to Mardi Gras in New Orleans a couple of times. What a mess. Well, I'm not a party person anyway, but I would sure love to chow down on some of those doughnuts!
Human nature seems to have no balance. As you say, we swing from one extreme to another. One of the things I hope to accomplish in our lifestyle is a sense of moderation and balance.
Mardi Gras was a wonderful celebration. I was there once and had such a marvelous time. What a wild time on Bourbon Street!
Mary
I can just see you collecting beads mary.... what a sight... :-)
I have gone once. I think that everyone should go once in their lifetime. It was definately an eye opening experience.
Oh yea, I won't tell you how many beads I got or how I got them. ;-)
Imagine all the food, gumbo, pralines, crayfish etouffe, you can see where my mind goes to revel. Better in my dreams than on my hips though ; ) Are you going to be doing anything to celebrate?
Blessings,
Wendy
oh Anastasia... simply by saying what you said, I know exactly how you got your beads..... :-)
And Wendy... of course you would bring up the food part of Mardi Gras... I love... simply love gumbo crayfish etoufee and so on... someting that can simply not be beat... so yummy
And what about King Cakes, too?
From what I hear, all the adult content is in the French Quarter. The rest of the town has family friendly parades. You are supposed to catch the give-aways thrown, not pick them up from the ground. Good luck if you catch, bad luck to pick up. And you don't have to flash outside of the FQ. :)
And I can only imagine the food...off to make beans & rice.
I could go for all the great food. The rest I'll leave to someone else. X.
Seafood and doughnuts? Oh I am so in! I have never been, but from seeing it on television, don't know it is something that I would want to do either. Maybe it is something that you need to experience when young to enjoy.
(((HUGS)))
I'm laughing so hard at the comments, lol! *waves around beads* ;)
I didn't know about the doughnuts! I suppose I participated in spirit yesterday, as I brought doughnuts to work for all our store managers!
I would like to experience it once though.
Hubby was just saying yesterday that he wants us to go just once for the experience.
My personal jury is still out on it though as I'm not much of a crowd person. (Major pigging out person - yes! Crowds - no.)
Thanks for the post and the enlightenment. I have to admit my ignorance in saying that I never knew what the heck "Fat Tuesday" stood for... I guess I was sheltered and obviously not Catholic. :)
I've always wanted to go to Mardi Gras in New Orleans. I think it would be a once in a lifetime experience....and definitely a memorable one. :)
)O(
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