Friendly Rivalry

Ash Wednesday

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, a day of penance and mortification. On that day Church regulations oblige Catholics to abstain from meat and to fast -- i.e. one meal and then two snacks, called collations.

A few years back on this occasion Martha and I were spurring one another on in acts of penance.

"My collation will be something simple, like two pieces of toast," one of us began.

"Two pieces? I'm having just one."

"Ah, but without butter."

"Hmm...give me the heel."

Memento, homo, quia pulvis es, et in pulverum reverteris.