While nature may have tried to make today a holiday with the snow last night, it really could be a day worth celebrating. The second Monday of February is Meal Monday.
I had no idea until I just stumbled upon this. Back a couple hundred years ago, those studying at universities in many parts of the world were required to provide their own supplies. By that, they were supposed to not only bring school supplies, but also firewood, or coal and food. Once a month, they were given a Monday off to return home to gather supplies. For food, many relied on oatmeal.
Oatmeal was cheap and could be stored fairly easily, so it was the food of choice. Sort of the Kraft Dinner of it’s time.
Eventually, the practice died out, but a couple schools still retained at least one day as a holiday. Meal Monday.
So it’s not about eating a meal. It’s about oatmeal.
I will admit, I have never been a huge oatmeal fan. Other members of my family are. I just find it rather bland. It needs something added. Like bacon and eggs. Although I don’t mind the occasional bowl of oatmeal, particularly On a chilly morning when you are faced with an hour or two of shoveling snow to start your day.
As for the holiday part, again, it would have been nice to take a nap after digging out this morning. But really, we can’t really guarantee a snow storm before the second Monday of February. And I’d be just as happy without that part anyway.
So here’s to Meal Monday. Let’s just not make a habit of the snow part.
