Wordless Wednesday: Fotos from Fat Tuesday

 Courtesy Gary Firstenberg

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Photos by Gary Firstenberg

Turning Negatives Into Positives

Mardi Gras 2022 -- Photos and a Little Backstory

Well, I learn something new every day. For some reason, I always thought that Mardi Gras took place on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. I assumed it was a celebration related to the Catholic tradition of Lent. Lent is a 40 day period of fasting and prayer that begins on January 6 and ends on Holy Thursday, the night Jesus was betrayed, the day before Passover.

As it turns out, Mardi Gras is a season, not a day. It runs from January 6 to the night before Ash Wednesday. When I lived in Puerto Rico, I discovered that Christmas wasn't really a one day event. It was a season from Christmas Day (December 25) till Three Kings Day, January 6. Note the connection. Christmas "ends" the day Mardi Gras begins.

Every region of the country has its unique culture. How did it come about that New Orleans created and community environment so different from anywhere else? It's useful to look back on its roots. New Orleans was founded by the French in 1718, hence many of its influences. In 1763, as a result of a war with Britain, it was ceded to the Spanish, but returned to the French. In 1803 the French sold of the central portion of the continent to the United States in what was called the Louisiana Purchase. The price was a steal.

Tribute to Tennessee William?

In addition to French and Spanish influences we find Creole, African American, Cajun, German, Irish, Italian, and Jewish. 

It's my understanding that the music is what makes New Orleans sizzle. That was my experience the two times I was there, neither time being Mardi Gras. 

I had planned to do a Wordless Wednesday yesterday but went further.

It feels strange on some levels to see life going on as normal 
(people going to work, TV shows and advertising uninterrupted)

while simultaneously we have a Russian incursion into Ukraine, 

with tanks, troops and missiles, along with a hundred talking heads

spinning their interpretations of these unfolding events.

Alas, what's really happening?

Today the president reminded us of the united power of NATO.

If Putin attacks one, he attacks all, because we stand together.

This covenant between nations brought to mind the manner in 

which the European powers were interconnected preceding WWI. 

The implications make me uncomfortable.

Meantime, life goes on... 

PHOTOS BY GARY FIRSTENBERG