Shrove Tuesday.

According to some, my being a first-born has had an influence on certain characteristics and traits that I possess.

First-borns have been described as "perfectionistic, reliable, conscientious, list-makers, well-organized, critical, serious, scholarly; achiever, self-sacrificing, people-pleaser, conservative, supporter of law and order, believer in authority and ritual, legalistic, loyal, and self-reliant".

I can't argue with any of that.

Maybe that's why I've felt a need to pass on "traditions" to my young son. These "traditions" have included such things as experiencing home-made, southern style, buttermilk biscuits and banana pudding made in the traditional manner.

Of course, this passing on of traditions means bringing him up in the religion of his fore-fathers....the Roman Catholic Church.

He's only three, so some of these traditions mean very little to him right now. Tomorrow night, the priest will put ashes on his forehead even though, at his age, Lent is pretty much meaningless.

Unfortunately, there aren't any Shrove Tuesday traditions in my family. I'm going to do my best to keep him from the Mardi Gras foolishness so prevalent in today's society.

Googling "Shrove Tuesday" you'll find a connection between today and pancakes. I suppose, long ago, pancakes were seen as an extravagance and having them the day before Lent made sense. In our home, pancakes are a once a week item and having them today wouldn't be so special.

I decided, instead, to make French Toast. My son enjoys them and to my way of thinking, more fitting for a Shrove Tuesday Tradition.