Shrove Tuesday

I grew up in Wichita Kansas.  It was a good childhood and I loved the four seasons we had there.  Each year on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday we celebrated Shrove Tuesday.  (The expression "Shrove Tuesday" comes from the word shrive, meaning "absolve")  There is a little town in Kansas named Liberal.  Actually, 90% of the towns in Kansas are little.  Anyway, each year on Shrove Tuesday, the town of Liberal, Kansas and Olney, Buckinghamshire, England, would have a 415 yard race of women running and flipping pancakes the entire time.

The Olney tradition dates to around 1445. Legend holds that a woman in Olney was making pancakes when the church bells began ringing to announce the service. Carrying her frying pan and wearing an apron, she raced to arrive at church on time. In subsequent years, others in the community joined in the race. The prize was the "Kiss of Peace" from the verger, or bell ringer.  

The Liberal/Olney competition began when members of the Liberal Junior Chamber of Commerce learned about the Olney race and proposed a friendly competition with the English community. The contest, which continues today, requires that runners wear a traditional apron and scarf and carry a frying pan in which they toss a pancake at the beginning and ending of the race. The event concludes with presentation of awards and a church service.

In other parts of the US we celebrate Fat Tuesday, or in French "Mardi Gras".  It is the last big hurrah before the season of Lent begins.  There are parades, beads, king cakes and plenty of partying and often drunkeness during that day.

I was in New Orleans one year just before Mardi Gras.  These people take this celebration seriously.  There are king cakes in every store, beads hanging from balconies as well as lots of purple and gold decorations on every home.

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday.  It is the start of 40 days of Lent.  (Sundays do not count in the 40 days)  Because, hubby and I still have 3 days of quarantine, we will not be going to Mass this year.  We will watch it on YouTube.  Also this year, when distributing ashes, they will not be placed on the forehead but sprinkled on the top of your head.  (This is what our parish is doing)  

What are some of the traditions where you live?

Because it is shrove Tuesday, I made us sourdough pancakes for breakfast.

They were quite tasty and there is enough left for us to have them again for a few days.  YUM!  Before you ask..........I did not run 415 yards while flipping them.  I walked 3 feet from stove to counter placing them on a plate with a spatula.  

Until next time....................................................................................