It’s Mother’s Day weekend. By now you’ve noted all the temporary stalls, tents and shops filled with flowers and other fussy gifts for the Mexican mothers on their day, Saturday, May 10. The tenth of May is always Mother’s Day in Mexico.

Did you hear that? I don’t hear anything more than the songbirds trilling their heart-felt spring songs and I’m just a couple of blocks from the Wednesday tianguis (street market). There’s been a new, odd quiet in the streets of town all week.

Well one thing is certain. Assuming that we all survive these last few days of the two weeks of Easter vacations and the accompanying heavy traffic, we will have enough stories about creative drivers to last the entire summer round of lunches, dinners and cocktail parties.

While much has been written about Mexico’s more simple Christmas customs, the lack of intrusive commercialism and the easing of the frenetic pace, few articles focus on the vast difference in Mexico’s Easter customs. 

Spring came early to lakeside – at least compared to the late March and April snowstorms still plaguing the northern climes.

There is nothing in this world that is quite as special as the unconditional love given by a dog to an adoring owner. Adoration, faith and trust glow from the eyes of man’s best friend – and there’s nothing quite like the welcome home a dog can give a loving human.