Shrove Tuesday, Fat Tuesday, Carnival, Mardis Gras: Whatever you call it, today’s the day. Mr. and Mrs. Scatter tend not to do the dress-up thing — some days they never get out of their pajamas — but they appreciate a good display by other people. Far be it from them to rain on anyone else’s parade. Mardi Gras happens the world over — the photo above is from Binche, Belgium — but in the United States, today is the day that hordes of people fervently wish they were in New Orleans. Apparently, absinthe makes the heart grow fonder. Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow, Lent begins.

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In Binche, Belgium, Les Gilles, an all-male group of about 1,000 Mardi Gras revelers, wearing their masks; 1982. Photo: Marie-Claire/Wikimedia Commons.