Mar 22 - north for a change

It was a difficult ride yesterday, headwind going north and then due east wind coming south.  I'd somewhat expected that as the wind shifts to SE today.  For our ride on Friday, the wind is supposed to be from the SW, exactly where we're going.  Oh well, there will be five machines / six of us to share the work and there's usually very little wind at night anyway.

That about sums up my day, other than my usual brief stint at the gym in the morning.  Today I have Jessica at 7:45-8:45, then she switches to Sandy.  It's a family affair !

Today, Wednesday, is the last of another activity.

When I was in grades 1-8 at a Catholic school, we went to Mass at lunch time for lent.  The bell would ring and those of us eating lunch at school would run to the church about a mile away, attend what was probably about a 20 minute Mass and then run back.  We'd still have some time to wolf down our lunch and have a half-hour, perhaps, in the playground.

I'd thought about attending Mass for Lent over the years since I retired but hadn't done anything about it.  This year I made it my routine.  Up, off to the gym, back for breakfast and feed Cassie, off to 7am Mass and then back.  I've now also  substituted gym with Jessica after Mass for the trip before Mass.  That has necessitated changing in the church parking lot (in the car), but it's quiet anyway.  I did miss one day -- the first Monday in lent when I was off to Tavares to do a pre-ride with Paul.  Every other day, including Saturday, I've followed the routine.  It felt good. I have both much to be thankful for and much to atone for.  I know that's bad English, but it gets the message across :).

So today is the last day.  There are no more morning Masses in Lent as the Thursday Mass this week is in the evening -- you can't have the Last Supper at breakfast, after all.  Tomorrow I'll be off to St. Petersburg and back getting organized for Friday's ride.

It's the last day of changing in the church parking lot as well, thank goodness !

Our new pastor has opted to hold these services in the little chapel vs the main church.  It probably seats 80 and there are usually about 50-60 of us.  He's a funny man.  At the first Mass, he said that it might get crowded (it hasn't) but "it's Lent, suck it up" -- those were his words and certainly brought a few smiles to faces.    I expect that non-Sunday Masses will be held in the chapel going forward ... it would be interesting to attend and see how many people come out ... how many of those 50-60 people are regulars vs making a Lenten sacrifice.

Ok, I don't usually write much about religion-related things so I'll stop now ... besides, it's time to leave !

Onward !