It’s been a while since I posted – life sometimes takes precedence over blogging. In the meantime, I published a book of my short stories, “Leonardo’s Revenge and Other Short Stories” (more on that soon), and I’ve been preparing to present again, on Self-Publishing, at the San Miguel Writers’ Conference, which starts later this week (more on that too!)

I returned to the perennial spring of San Miguel, from winter in New Mexico, and woke my first morning to the vibrant colors, church bells and now-familiar vistas of my “second home.”

Being Saturday, it was time to head to the Organic Market on Zacateros for a piña (pineapple) tamale and Jamaica (pronounced “ha-mike-a”, i.e., hibiscus) juice, and buy some yummy (and U.S. priced) organic goodies for the coming week.

Along the way I couldn’t help snap this photo of a local working man carting his wares.

Being early February, I met up with my friend, Patty Barakat, to peruse the annual “Candelario,” where plant growers from across Mexico set up stands in the gracious central park, Parque Juarez, and sell fruit trees, cacti, flowers, herbs, soil, pots and all things related to one’s home garden or patio/terrace enhancement.

Young boys and old men wander the park with their wheelbarrows, offering help to buyers. If you give them the nod, they will follow you amid the maze of offerings and place your purchases in their wheelbarrows, drafting their pals into service if more are needed. When you’re done shopping, they follow you home and schlep the plants, pots and soil to your patio or garden (with a trail of soil and leaves) – all for the equivalent of $20 per guy.
While much of what we gringos consume here in San Miguel is not noticeably less expensive than in the states, these pots, plants, local vegetables, cut flowers, and mid-day multi-course meals (“comidas corridas”) are definitely in the “good deal” category, and they support local workers and vendors.

But, in typical San Miguel fashion, social events tend to pile upon themselves and this Saturday was also the date of a mega event – local artist Anado McLaughlin‘s open house for inauguration of his “Chapel of Jimmy Ray“. The celebration of colorful, quirky, outrageously fun creations by Anado was attended by some 1,500 people.

It is said that “it always rains during Candelario,” and this year is no exception… except the rains keep coming. This is not the sunny, warm weather I had hoped for. But, unlike being a tourist, where a week of bad weather can ruin a vacation, I trust the sun will return during my next couple of months in San Miguel and many more wonderful outdoor adventures will be had. Please stay tuned.