– an excerpt from the book: “Agave Marias – border crossers, boundary breakers.” by various authors. Some of us wondered how that wedding could be blessed by God. Was it really His will? The village padre said it was. No one dared ask why. That would just give him a chance to preach to us […]
Continue Reading– an excerpt from the book: “Agave Marias – border crossers, boundary breakers.” by various authors. Two things the three señoras had in common were poverty and pain. Even their names, Dolores, meaning pains, seemed to cast a grim prognostication on their lives. Their informal names of Lola did nothing to lighten their load. Lola […]
Continue Reading– an excerpt from the book: “Agave Marias – border crossers, boundary breakers.” by various authors. Giving birth is difficult enough with one woman involved; imagine when it takes ten. We conceived of this anthology in October of 2004. We had no instruction manual to follow, no physician to monitor our pregnancy, check our blood […]
Continue ReadingAlejandro stands on the far side of the chain-link fence with a dead kid at his feet. This morning there is no smile, no buenos dias, no offers of zucchini, only a scowl and a gesture of dismay, intimating that I should appreciate the severity of my problem. Within minutes I realize that he’s been sent to […]
Continue Reading– an excerpt from the book: “Agave Marias – border crossers, boundary breakers.” by various authors. The objects in my house have become a form of dialogue between my housekeeper Yolanda and me. I put things in places where they are artistically pleasing to me. That is why the Virgin of Guadalupe has resided for […]
Continue ReadingSecreted behind a thick adobe wall that runs along Calle Ocampo, Ajijic’s main thoroughfare, lies doña Carlota’s patio. I cherish this tiny, private paradise for to me its warmth and simplicity represent the heart of authentic Mexico. At first glance this seems a strictly utilitarian space. The furnishings are spare–a couple of rickety chairs and […]
Continue ReadingMost mothers in Mexico look forward to May 10 as a day to take it easy and be pampered by family. For Esperanza Perez, proprietress of Ajijic’s most popular flower shop, the date means not only business as usual, but extra work and longer hours. With a loyal clientele that includes many of the town’s […]
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Horse lovers (and anyone else looking for a dose of authentic Mexico) will find September is the perfect month to take in the best of the country’s national equestrian sport — la charrería. It’s especially true for those who find themselves in the general vicinity of Guadalajara. As September gets under way, the city’s 12th annual […]
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Motorists traveling recently along the Guadalajara-Chapala highway may have been puzzled by what looks like the structural foundations of a mighty cathedral rising up near the roadway between the airport and the Cajititlan turn-off. The towering tangle of iron girders is in fact the framework for what will soon turn into a temple for Mexico’s […]
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Estas son las mañanitas que cantaba el rey David; a las muchachas bonitas se las cantamos aquí. Si el sereno de la esquina me quisiera hacer favor de apagar su linternita mientras que pasa mi amor. Ahora, sí, señor sereno, le agradezco su favor: prenda usted su linternita, que ya ha pasado mi amor. Despierta, […]
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