Gastronomic Borders Is a Real Thing + So Are Poopy Geese

Food for Thought

From Mapping Gastronomic Borders in the U.S., by Matt Daniels. Link from National Review Online, Jonah Goldberg (2/10/18)

Does your city (or a city in close proximity) fall into one of these Top 10s? The survey does NOT imply where the best of these items can be found. It tracks per capita consumption.

Pizza

#6 Chicago
#8 Minneapolis
#9 Phoenix

Chinese

#7 San Jose

BBQ

#9 Dallas
#10 Tampa

Mexican

#2 Dallas
#5 Phoenix
#8 San Diego

Burgers

#2 Minneapolis

Sandwiches

#2 Tampa
#7 San Jose

Coffee

#3 San Diego
#7 San Jose
#8 Minneapolis

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday, observed on WED 2/14 [SEE below.], marks the beginning of Lent. In my younger days I did not appreciate this season of the church year. Wednesday night services were dark. Themes of sin, death, guilt seemed like downers to me. As I've matured, I've come to really appreciate the 40 days of Lent, & the Ash Wednesday service, including imposition of ashes on the forehead, has become one of my favorites.

From Omaha World Herald (2/14):  "Calendar coincidences:  Ashes on V-Day & Easter on April Fools'. Ashes usually aren't a good look for Valentine's Day. But you'll see people wearing them WED. And the Resurrection remains real for believers, even when it's celebrated on a day usually reserved for tricks & fibs. This year, for the first time since 1945, Ash Wednesday falls on Valentine's Day & Easter is on April Fools' Day . . . " COMMENTS:  At first glance, it would seem difficult to link a Valentine's message of love to a day of solemn reflection, including for many an imposition of ashes on the forehead. However, Jesus' great sacrifice, which culminates in the events of Good Friday, is the ultimate act of love. As for a link between Easter Sunday & April Fools' Day, try this.
Jewish & Roman officials hurry to Jesus' tomb that morning to confirm what the guards have told them; that Jesus' body is missing. Upon reaching the tomb, they find it empty. They are dumbfounded because: (a) They witnessed Jesus' death; (b) Jesus' corpse had been placed in the tomb on Good Friday. (c) The tomb had been blocked by a large stone, which included an imperial seal on it, threatening death to anyone who would dare to break the seal & try to roll the stone away. (d) Although they would like to fool themselves into thinking that Jesus' disciples stole the body, all evidence indicates that this small group of timid, ineffectual followers would be incapable of such an act.
APRIL FOOLS!

Criminal Minds

From OWH (2/5):  "Man takes a property tax stand over pooping geese. A billionaire is fed up with the hundreds of Canada geese that flock to his upstate NY vacation home every summer, turning his lawn into a minefield of poop. His solution? He's refusing to pay his $90,000 school tax bill until officials in the Finger Lakes town of South Bristol find a way to control the birds. The town said geese on Tom Golisano's private property are his problem to solve, not the town's . . . "  COMMENT:  Land mines? Fight fire w/fire.

Requiem

From OWH (12/31):  Bob Givens brought Bugs Bunny to life. Animator Bob Givens helped design Bugs Bunny & Elmer Fudd . . . His version of Bugs Bunny debuted in 1940. Other characters he illustrated over his 6-decade career included Tom & Jerry, Daffy Duck, Alvin & the Chipmunks & Popeye. Givens died 12/14 at age 99."  COMMENT:  As a kid, I spent hours in front of the TV on Saturday morning, watching my favorite cartoons. Bugs was & remains my favorite. Many of you, I'll wager *, did the same, although your tastes may have run toward Alvin or Popeye. How do kids these days waste their SAT mornings? 
* I'm a member of the Nebraska Gamblers' Assistance Program, so I am speaking figuratively, not literally.