@evan We did have pancakes, and have done so in the past, but I hadn't thought of it as Mardi Gras even though I know it is Shrove Tuesday. I was thinking more about the parade side of it. We don't believe, so it is just an excuse for pancakes and bacon for dinner. ;-)
@virtuous_sloth so, eating pancakes doesn't feel like celebrating to you?
@evan No, it does not feel like celebrating. I'm not even aware of the story behind why Christians associate pancakes with the last day before Lent. I will have to look that up.
My understanding of the parades and perhaps excesses as both celebration but also some letting loose before the more solemn and sacrificial nature of Lent.