Seasonal transition: I cut grass today.

Even though early March and Mardi Gras Day to boot, I had to cut the grass today. I have now officially moved into my worst half of the year. Once the blades have to chop down the green grass I know that soon to follow is heat, humidity, longer days and the dreaded hurricane season. And this year, with almost 10 acres to keep cut, the price of gas and diesel will not make me a happy grass cutter. I so enjoy late fall and winter; guess I'm a kind of backwards guy.

As is always the case, the first day of grass cutting brings the turmoil of firing up the equipment; will the battery charge, do we need new plugs, should I change the belts and so on. Fortunately for me good friends love the country atmosphere and willing drive out here to help. It did not take long at all for them to get everything fired up. And remarkably, I did get a lot of the grass cut. We will save the big tractor for another day.

The cutting of the grass reminds me that we are now moving into spring and for Christians the season of Lent. We will not only prepare for Ash Wednesday tomorrow but Friday's in Lent which bring Stations of the Cross and fish fries sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. During Lent I join the Kairos prison ministry team at Rayburn for a four day retreat. Then before you know it we will be knee deep in all things spring/early summer including those hot humid days that run from April to October.

So today, it's more Happy Mardi Gras; and for me, that means more grass cutting later this afternoon. And for my family, a nice afternoon lunch with our good friends who fired up the riding mower. But tomorrow we return to Lent and the spring weeks and months ahead. It may not be my favorite time of the year, but it is another season blessed by God. So enjoy the rest of Mardi Gras and the farewell party to the flesh and make the coming Lenten season count.

And feel free to come help me cut some grass!