Passover this year began on Saturday evening, March 27, and will end April 4, Easter.  Holy Week: This is Palm Sunday, the day in 30AD or 33AD when Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey. Why Palm Sunday and why a donkey?   His supporters laid palm branches on the ground, and a donkey symbolized peace ( a horse...war ).  Some of these branches are then ritually burned on Shrove Tuesday to make the ashes for the next Ash Wednesday ( meaning March 22 next year ), the first day of Lent, which goes on for 46 days, as Sundays don't count.   Which means once/week on that day you don't need to fast , or can smoke, if that's what you gave up.   Ash Wednesday and Fridays are particular days of fasting and abstinence, but only for those of 18-59. In general, fasting means eat less, not don't eat. Snacking is not allowed. Abstinence has nothing to do with sex, it mostly means no meat, although fish is okay.  Apparently, there is some leeway for crustaceans...

Any excuse to drink some whisky, but, honestly, today is International Whisky Day .  In the spirit of March Madness, Dekanta listed 64 of the best Japanese Whiskies, with the winner to be crowned on April 1.   Vote here . Here are a couple whiskies you can buy from Dekanta: Or, if you want something more celebratory: Then again, here is a perfectly drinkable cheapie: Suntory Toki Japanese Whisky $ 29.99  "Toki' means time in Japanese. And Suntory's Toki Whisky is a tribute to that. Its a blend of whiskies of varying ages from Suntory's three main distilleries - Hakushu, Yamazaki and  Chita. The pairing of Hakushu  American white oak cask malt whisky with  Chita heavy-type grain whisky,  together with select Yamazaki malts to lend additional depth and  complexity, gives Toki  a silky taste and  vivid character. 86 proof.  TASTING NOTES: Color: clear gold  Nose: basil, green apple, honey  Palate: grapefru...

  From  Worldometer  (new  COVID-19 deaths yesterday):          DAY    USA    WORLD     Brazil      India      South Africa June     9    1093     4732        1185        246       82 July    22     1205     7128        1293      1120      572 Aug    12     1504     6556        1242       835      130 Sept     9     1208      6222       1136      1168       82 Oct     21     1225      6849         571       703   ...

  From  Worldometer  (new  COVID-19 deaths yesterday):          DAY    USA    WORLD     Brazil      India      South Africa June     9    1093     4732       1185        246       82 July    22     1205     7128        1293      1120      572 Aug    12     1504     6556        1242       835      130 Sept     9     1208      6222       1136      1168       82 Oct     21     1225      6849         571       703     ...