It would NOT be a good idea today to wipe that unattractive smudge from your friend’s forehead. Today is Ash Wednesday – an important Holy Day for Catholics.
Of course, few Catholics remember why they get the smudge. I think it has something to do with the day America converted from coal to electricity, or a remembrance of the day Tammi Faye Baker converted to Catholicism, or what you would look like after confessing to a mortal sin on Saturday afternoon, doing your penance – getting to third base with your girl Saturday night – then dying in a horrible car accident before you got to Communion Sunday morning. I forget – something like that.
Foreheads get a lot of play in different cultures. Indians get color-coded dots – which is why we sensitively call them “dotheads.” Muslims wrap them in turbans (“towelheads.”) And there are a few who believe the forehead holds a “third eye.” Holy optometrist! OK – so I forgot the name of triple eyeballers. Give me a break – I’m Italian! (slapping his forehead.)
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