Gentle visitors, in recent posts, we have encouraged you, again and again, to give fat a chance. Now, on the veritable feast day of fat, we make our final appeal for largeness of heart.
Consider what one would choose against fat -- for the opposite of fat is thin. The very word conjures images of gauntness, or of a gruel and the most cold and scant of same.
Worse still is another opposite of fat: lean.
"Lean" suggests a slight inclination -- a kind of waffling uncertainty or insecurity, a faintness, a lack of conviction and passion -- as against "stout", which denotes solidity and steadfastness, inured to fatigue or hardships, firmness of purpose, as well as a strong very dark heavy-bodied ale made from pale malt and roasted unmalted barley and (often) caramel malt with hops.
One no more longs for the "lean years" than one finds a man "lean and happy." Otherwise, we would never have the fortune of sharing in a largess; rather, we would be picking through the meager scraps of a smalless.
Friends, we are about to embark on the season of Lent. During this period, your humble Contributor is noted for his ascetic practices -- a fact of which he is duly proud. On any given Lenten day, he may be seen consuming a few thimbles of lukewarm tap water, a stale crust of bread, and, perhaps, the odd parsnip. But, note, that he will be foregoing fat for a noble reason, not out of some frail fear of fat.
Therefore, gentle visitors, subject to the discipline of Lenten observance, a few words of admonishment. Don't fear; don't worry; be happy.
Comments