The lavender flowers on the tree that we pass every day on the way to school are blooming again. They’ll soon start falling and be picked up off of the sidewalk by my grandson, who’ll put them in his Spiderman backpack to take to his teachers or his mom or to use for his “art.”

Walking to and from school will take us a few extra minutes. We’ll begin finding the little lavender flowers throughout our house in strange places. I know all this.

Marigolds are being sold from push carts and on nearly every corner right now for the Day of the Dead celebrations. They form a sea of yellow at the front of the local nursery. Poinsettias will replace them soon.

Inflatable witches and and ghosts have popped up in our neighborhood, giving us destinations for evening walks. Their appearance didn’t surprise me.

It’s my second year in Mexico and, like the sophomore who wanders the halls of high school, I’ve learned what to expect. 

I know when to buy mangos, who sells the best tacos, how holidays will be celebrated, and what streets will be closed on Sundays. 

I can walk through neighborhoods without being amazed at every manicured tree and ornate gate. I no longer feel the need to take a picture of each one. 

There’s a comfort in knowing what to expect around the corner. That flags will come out in September, rain will fall in July, and there’s a reason for marigolds being sold at the end of October.

Last year at this time found me going from grocery store to grocery store looking for treat size candy bars. This year I knew not to look.

This year I knew to take an extra suitcase on my visit to Illinois, to fill it up with candy, and to bring it home.