I enjoy the different takes on Lent.

Here in the entitled NW burbs they seem to push more prayer and alms-giving while going light on the fasting side.

I am also attending a rural parish in central WI. They are way more old school. Their focus seems to be on fasting. Their pastor says no meat on fridays all year, not just during lent. And in his long list of stuff to give up he included giving up sleeping with a pillow. Which for me is a definite non-starter.

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"I honestly don't see a good bet on the board here."

My neighbors growing up did the no meat every Friday thing.

My wife tries to remember to do it during Lent. I try to help, but usually forget.

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All Greek Orthodoxers I know do the no meat on Fridays.

Lent....that time of year where I just shake my head and enjoy as much meat as possible on Fridays.

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Growing up we did our best to adhere to the no meat thing. PBJ for lunch and cheese pizza for dinner was simple enough.

I look forward to Lent now for the fish frys.

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Older ones do all year. Younger ones it's more just Lenten Fridays. But during Lent it's all over the map. Two of my aunts fast from meat, dairy, and olive oil all Lent, but other forms of oil are ok. So it's really not hard to fast if you can have a plate of hash browns cooked in canola oil to go along with a bowl of fruit.

When I was younger I fasted for just the last week from meat or fish, all oil except what's in bread, and dairy. Now that I am older and have some health issues requiring some dietary consistency for maintenance, I don't fast any more.

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"When people want their version of the truth, they go find it, no matter how baseless their beliefs." -- Ken Rosenthal

My Pillow users probably receive special dispensations.

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"I honestly don't see a good bet on the board here."

Lent led to the invention of my peanut butter and Dorito sandwiches.

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You know me like that.

A true staple of the American farmstead.

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I'm referencing Fat Tuesday, Carnivale, Paczki Day, etc., Douchen Muhammad.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

As a kid I remember that anyone observant never really ate meat on Fridays regardless of religion. Hell we did it in my house by default it seemed.

The other funny thing is that my son just went out to get us Thai food. Since I only ordered two appetizers, I’m breaking a biweekly fast I’ve been doing since April.

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There are only two examples of infinity: The universe and human stupidity and I'm not sure about the universe.

My school from middle school and high school was always fish or some meatless meal on Fridays year round. Had a decent amount of Greek and other eastern orthodox students so maybe this is why. Definitely didn't pass on the oil though or dairy. If it was deep fried or cheese based, was it really cafeteria food?

Nice thing about going to a private school, our lunchroom was more of a deli and there was a grill in the University student center across the street. And a bagel with cream cheese left money for after school crap. Probably back in Ida Noyes hall.

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There are only two examples of infinity: The universe and human stupidity and I'm not sure about the universe.

The financials were tough for the old school when I went there so money was an object. I was probably a bit more informed about that than I should of been with how involved my parents were. When I visit campus now 30 years later I'm always a bit surprised at the changes.