suspicious tuesday...

Yesterday was Tuesday
when I caused suspicion
when I realized that today would be Wednesday...
Ash Wednesday.


I remember a number of years ago
a pastor friend called in a panic.
"I forgot to get ashes!
Do you have some extra?"


I did.


So we orchestrated
a special pick
up.

One of the Elders in the
church I served would run
the bag of ashes out to my friend
so that she could hurry down
to her church.


She arrived...
rolled down her window
and asked,

"Do you have my stuff?"

The Elder slipped the tiny bag
into her hands and off she drove...
all for the purpose of
marking others on a day
that begins this 40 day journey.


This year
on a Tuesday
I realized I did not have ashes...


So I had to do it the old fashion way.

I happened to find dry
crispy palm fronds from last years
Palm Sunday celebration
in my closet
at the church.

That's what we burn to make the ashes.

I've always relied on the desert monks
who provide small and medium bags full
for sale at the Catholic Supply store where I used to live.


This year I was the monk
burning palm leaves on my front porch.
I caused quite a scene
as people drove past my house
on their way home.

I also discovered burning palm
branches have a peculiar odor
similar to other peculiar
stuff people like to burn.

The local police unit drove by.
They stared me down.
I'm pretty sure they came close to stopping.
Not sure they would have
bought my story if they did.

But isn't that what this whole story we begin living on this Wednesday of ashes is all about.