I could run down to the Graeter's or Servatii on Fountain Square and look for paczki.

Oh my god, the cheese-filled ones from Graeter's are AMAZING. I was just too lazy to drive to Graeter's this morning, so I ran to the Bakery District* of Northside and got a couple of jelly-filled ones from Bonomini Bakery.

*(Bonomini Bakery has been on Blue Rock in Northside for 1,000 years, and recently Queen City Cookies moved in across the street from Bonomini, so we decided that 2 bakeries qualifies as a "district." The Bakery District is around the corner from the Taco District.)

I guess my actual tradition is pancakes, because the church I grew up in would have a pancake dinner for Shrove Tuesday, but in general, I don't observe. I don't do much if anything to observe Lent either, so that seems about right!

The Bakery District is around the corner from the Taco District.)

This pleases me. I miss having a Falafel District.

I guess my actual tradition is pancakes, because the church I grew up in would have a pancake dinner for Shrove Tuesday

Yup. I do try to remember to do that, mostly because pancakes for dinner!

But I have defrosted borscht waiting for me! I could make biscuits to go with -- no eggs, but lots of butter, at least....

It's just I don't have the emotional resources to be there for her while she unloads all her misery and anxiety onto my shoulders.

Oh how well I know this. Just remember you owe her nothing. No money, no shoulder, no explanation. You can empathize but you're under no obligation to do more than that. Your sister's financial foibles were her own, and you do not have to take them over.

ION, I have no desire to work today.

My co-worker pronounces paczki the same as Teppy's grandma.

She says that the texture of authentic paczki is chewier than the paczki we get here. (I wonder if it is a difference in the flour?)

My local market has paczki this year. I have no idea if they're authentic, but they were delicious!

We were just told that the large meeting room "may or may not be available" for April-June due to a roofing project. Which basically means they have no idea. I can move my 2 monthly classes to the smaller rooms, but I have been planning a large public event for that room in May (which was free to be booked on the calendar) and there's really noplace to move it in the building. I have emailed the person they said to email, and the poor woman probably has no idea what havoc the construction will wreak when and is tearing her hair out.

there's really noplace to move it in the building.

Put up a tent outside in front of the book fountain! Although you may be peed on by a homeless person.