A Succulent Cinco de Mayo

Ironic: if Cinco de Mayo were a person, it could run for President. The holiday sprung from the loins of Mexico throwing off the French oppressors on May 5, 1962. The next year, in California, the holiday was born in the good old US of A.

Not largely celebrated in Mexico — in California, this day of tacos and margaritas is as close as it gets to being declared a holiday without taking time off work.  Such a festive day (from now on, I am going to think of it as an anchor baby of sorts), a day that celebrates the ties between the people of Mexico and the people of my country. God Bless Us Both!

Salud!

Out in the Garden

Succulents are the height of garden fashion. If I could find someone foolish enough to take the bet — I  would bet this week's receipts that a high percentage of succulents sold in California today has a family tree with roots from  Mexico. 

Succulents are an easy family of plants to love. The classic strawberry pot was never lush until it got packed with slips of succulents. At home, in both traditional and contemporary gardens, it has matured into a little cutting factory.