Fat Tuesday

Mardi Gras Masks and Beads

Mardi Gras Masks and Beads, originally uploaded by biskuit.

It seems a kind of cheating to celebrate Mardi Gras when I have no intention of giving up anything for Lent.

Early in the evening I officially commemorated the holiday with a Sazerac cocktail — a classic drink of New Orleans. I listened to Madeleine Peyroux too, for extra Big Easy flair. I enjoyed both thoroughly.

I felt no extra thrill to them though: I may well have a Sazerac again before Easter, and Ms. Peyroux is almost certain to pop up again on my playlist. So what makes this evening different from any other for me?

I suppose there was one other way I celebrated: I skipped going to the gym.

Perhaps I can can turn today’s laziness to my advantage. I wrote a post some weeks back about needing a focus for my self- and health-improvement efforts. Here’s what I’ll do: For the next 40 days, I’ll exercise for at least 40 minutes each day. The exercise needn’t require a trip to the gym or a big sweat; 40 minutes of focused yoga or even dancing around the living room will do.

So, retroactively, I now feel a bit more justified in sitting about listening to music and drinking rye on Mardi Gras. And I look forward to arriving at Easter a little less gras.

3 replies on “Fat Tuesday”

  1. I think that’s a great idea. I’m not a big gym person, but I like exercising in little ways, like going on walks and dancing around. It just makes you feel better.

  2. Adding something rather than taking it away for Lent! (Well, I guess you’d be giving up the laziness…although, Cindy, you are probably the least lazy person I know.) What a good idea.

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