Tedium

It's not true that life is one damn thing after another;
it is one damn thing over and over.

--Edna St. Vincent Millay

Ms. Millay's observation about life is also true of meals during Lent, though today's repeat of yesterday's meal included several improvements. If you make the black bean stew, do add sweet potato (or steamed plantain) to the mix, stir in a few shakes of turmeric, and sprinkle lots and lots of fresh cilantro on top. Reheated mixed-berry dumplings are slightly soggy but still tasty, especially with a dollop of thick plain yogurt on the side.

If minor additions improve Lenten leftovers, can we do anything to spice up Lent's tedious days? Though spring is due to begin on Friday, we in the Midwest are not easily fooled. It may be 50 degrees out today, but we know it will snow again at least once, and the smarter daffodils will stay buried until late April.

I guess if Lent happened in May, nobody would observe it.

All things are wearisome;
more than one can express;
the eye is not satisfied with seeing,
or the ear filled with hearing.
What has been is what will be,
and what has been done is what will be done;
there is nothing new under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 1:8-9, NRSV