Mail Bag

It's Thursday and since it's March, we received a trace of snow last night. Welcome to Minnesota where we get more snow the last week of February and beginning of March then we do in December and January combined. I'm ready for the snow to stop as I think everyone is.

Two questions were sent in for today (wow! These things really do get read!). First one from my big brother in Kentucky asks:

Dear Jeeves,If you really want to impress me, find out where the practice of no meat on Friday originated (also not biblical, has something to do with one of the popes). Is that a question?

"Jeeves"? I'm honored! Well Dr. Dickinson, the original Christians were Jewish. By Jewish customs, it was common to fast, especially for holidays and on Mondays and Thursdays (can't find exactly why those days at the moments). It is believed that the first Christians changed the fasting days to Wednesday and Fridays because the two days to mourn were the day that Judas turned Jesus over to the authorities (Wednesday) and Jesus was crucified on Good Friday. Through time, society pressures have moved this time of fasting to almost non-existent. Eastern Orthodox still practice the twice a week fasting ritual, but most forms of Catholicism encourage, but don't mandate fasting during Lent.

Now why no meat? Again, not Biblical but more traditional. Historically, meat was a "luxury" food. Most common people (such as the Jews and early Christians) would have to buy it from someone since it was expensive to own land and cattle. But vegetables could be grown by these same people, and they could also catch fish - so neither of these items were considered "luxurious". Poor people could eat fish so for most people, they could humble themselves by giving up the "luxuries" in life and stick with the things most common to society. Funny how now, Fish can cost more than hamburger:) Except Fish sticks - those things just smell really really bad.

Pope Nicholas I (858-867) made fasting from meat obligatory for the Catholic Church. There was a Canon 1251 in 1983 that states: Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Thanks Brother Dickinson for the question.

The next question comes from Heather in Ankeny:

What is the difference between a Chihuahua and a mini Chihuahua? Aren't all Chihuahua's small? Anyway, I saw that they have a police "mini Chihuahua" somewhere on the news this morning and it got me wondering.

Thanks Heather for asking. The new craze for celebrities and little dogs is annoying, yet unavoidable. The "mini" Chihuahua are sometimes referred to as "TeaCup" or "Deer-faced" Chihuahuas are even smaller than the already small dog. They make Riley look like a monster giant in comparison! But most often, these smaller dogs are being sought due to their even more convenient size. These "mini" Chihuahuas are mainly the dwarfs, or runts in the litters. This is common in any breed of dog, but now they are becoming popular among Chihuahuas so breeders are charging more for the rare smaller dogs. I don't think Purrrrrcilla would like a "mini" brother to play with so hope you're not getting any ideas!

Keep the questions coming! I'll answer anything!


Song of the Day - I'm Mike Jones, Who.... Mike Jones, Who.... Mike Jones

Video of the Day - Hmm.... I need to find some new movies to watch. Not even sure what I have at home from Netflix.

Webpage of the Day - I found a page for Chipotle that has nutritional information and recipes of some of their stuff. I've always liked their rice there. But now I'm laying off of Chipotle for a while after "building" my burrito from yesterday that ended up at 1100 Calories! That sucks! But they're so good... why would God let us create such a good food if it was meant to be so bad for us....