Ash Wednesday

    It's already March. March.

    Didn't I just write about the Taking Down of Decorations in January? In three weeks, the year will be 1/4 over. When I was little, I all but swore to myself that I would not become one of those grown-ups who always talks about 'how time flies.' So that is all I will say on that subject.
    New Things of the Month this week. Including a recipe. Recipe of the Month
I kept the Quote of the Month this time, because I thought it deserved recognition for two months instead of just one. Also, the epic Star Wars saga is the focus this month-- our humble apartment, every Saturday for six weekends (most of them in March), is featuring one of the chronicles for free viewing. In attendance to this event are a few friends from the surrounding area, and every weekend we enjoy freshly-popped popcorn and two hours of action and drama and groundbreaking (for the 70's) special effects, in a story that my psychology professor claims is the epitome of Jungian psychology. I fail to see that connection, but maybe that's because I'm too busy reading my own psychology into it.
     It does seem to have a very religious undertone, though. Every time, every time, someone says  "May the Force be with you" the mind echoes the response

And also with you

     Tomorrow (or today- it is after midnight now) is Ash Wednesday, and with it comes the imperative to bid Facebook goodbye for six weeks. It is a dreadfully free feeling to have an excuse to not check it, and after more than a month away one views the old Facebook with a new perspective. I highly recommend the experiment to all of my friends. It really is quite indescribable.
     Psalm 139 is the 'song' for the month. Perhaps it seems odd for a Lenten Psalm, but it does end with "Search and try me", and I can think of nothing more comforting or encouraging upon entering this season of introspection and contrition, than the thought that God already knows everything about me, and not a thing can frighten his presence from my heart or loosen the grip of his hand. 
     Or perhaps it seems odd that an ancient Hebrew poem occupies the 'song' slot. But it is a song, and it was sung by someone. Its lines have a lovely rhythm and melody to them--- just imagine the music.