Happy in the Jardin

From Thanksgiving amidst the red rocks of the great Southwest to the Jardin at midnight in San Miguel de Allende in one blog post, I have some ‘splainin’ to do.   One of my intentions after retiring was to finally get the blog into “real time,” and we see how that has gone.  I can’t seem to get caught up, no matter how hard I try.  Do I dare make this a resolution?  No, writing is a passionate hobby for me, and I do not want “timing” to serve as a task master.   It stifles what little creativity I have found in my dominant left brain.

But there are events in life that are best served “hot off the press,” one of which is New Year’s Eve.  If I keep to the correct chronological order, I will be posting it just in time for a rant against Valentine’s Day.  😉

Long before my Dad ‘s health took such a rapid decline, I put down full payment on a house in San Miguel de Allende, MX for the holidays.  My brother Don and I have a family tradition to see in the New Year from Mexico since 2007.    So with my parents in good spirits and excellent health last November, I booked and paid for the house with every confidence that our good luck would continue.  But the day after Thanksgiving, fate took a cruel twist, and my parent’s unprecedented streak of near-perfect health ran out.

Don, being the loving and generous brother that he is, insisted that I begin the trip without him, even getting up at 8:00am to drive me to the bus station!

Early morning at Omni bus station in downtown Dallas.

Early morning at Omni bus station in downtown Dallas.

My new rolling home for the next 27 hours!

My new rolling home for the next 27 hours!

Mom seconded the motion, with her typical encouragement to “Go!  Live your life!  Don’t worry about me!”  😉   But for several days now, instead of the usual “happy holidays,” the weight of guilt has been tipping the scale toward disappointment and concern for my loved ones back in Texas, dealing with the pain and uncertainty that comes in the final stages of a 93 year old’s life.

A "sawdust carpet" being constructed leading into Parroquia de San Antonio.

A “sawdust carpet” being constructed leading into Parroquia de San Antonio.

This sawdust carpet is created as a way to pay penance/homage to the patron saints.   (Note feet of person in top of photo for size perspective.)

This sawdust carpet is created as a way to pay penance/homage to the patron saints. (Note feet of person in top of photo for size perspective.)

The carpet is created using fine grains of colored sawdust.

The carpet is created using fine grains of colored sawdust.

It will be used (walked upon) for a procession happening at 10:00pm on New Years Eve.

It will be used (walked upon) for a procession happening at 10:00pm on New Years Eve.

It was a busy day in San Miguel with last minute errands to run before the holiday.  Visiting with friends at an early afternoon party given by expatriates from the UK, ringing in the New Year with overflowing champagne glasses and fireworks over London’s Big Ben via cable at “midnight” London time (6:00pm Mexico time,) left me with a little afternoon hangover.

Beautiful Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel in Centro Historico.

Beautiful Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel in Centro Historico.

Dancin' in the street!

Dancin’ in the street!

Street food vendors do a brisk business on New Years Eve.

Street food vendors do a brisk business on New Years Eve.

So when it came time to walk down the hill to the Jardin (pronounced “har-DEEN,” Spanish for garden, which in this case is synonymous with the town square) for the celebration at midnight, I had second thoughts.   It would be so easy just to slip into bed with a book, and call it a night.  But life is all about making memories, and what do I want to remember as an end to one of the best years I have had in a decade?  Besides, I need to go enjoy the experience because my brother Don cannot.

A blurry photo, but giant Mexican sparklers need some size perspective.

A blurry photo, but giant Mexican sparklers need some size perspective.

The start of a sparkler Conga!

The start of a sparkler Conga!

Note hand in bottom of frame, and flame at top.  Sparklers are almost 3 feet long here!

Note hand in bottom of frame, and flame at top. Sparklers are almost 3 feet long here!

So I set the iphone alarm for 10:30pm to wake me up from my “disco nap.” I put on my oldest jeans, because I learned the hard way that you don’t wear nice clothes where it rains down sparks and fireworks.  (An asbestos suit and protective eyewear would be appropriate New Years Eve attire here!)   And I made my third walk down the hill for the day to join in one of my favorite traditions of all time…

Sound stage in the Jardin.  Waiting for the band.  Good music!

Sound stage in the Jardin. Waiting for the band. Good music!

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Mother daughter dance.

Mother daughter dance.

Everyone comes out to see in the New Year in San Miguel, from the young to the young at heart.  There is music, dancing, and merrymaking on all four corners of the Jardin, culminating with a fireworks display at midnight so up close and personal that it would thrill all but the most foolhardy of pyromaniacs!

At midnight, everyone lights a sparkler.  Look out for your hair!

At midnight, everyone lights a sparkler. Look out for your hair!

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Another of my favorite Mexico traditions is a steaming hot ear of Mexican street corn, enjoyed right after midnight.  The hot corn on the cob is dipped in “crema,” a sort of mayonnaise/sour cream combo with lime, then rolled in shredded cotija cheese (similar to parmesan,) with a final dusting of cayenne pepper.  So delicious!  I always rationalize it as the perfect midnight snack to stave off a hangover.   I have no hangover this year, as my last toast was “God Save the Queen” at 6:00pm.  But alas, I must keep the tradition alive.

Mexican street corn -- a New Years Eve tradition worth preserving!

Mexican street corn — a New Years Eve tradition worth preserving!

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As for what 2015 holds for me and my family, the only thing certain is more uncertainty.  But for tonight, I am happy to be in the Jardin.

I wish all of you much joy, abundance, and perfect health in 2015!IMG_3471

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18 thoughts on “Happy in the Jardin

  1. Thanks for the photos. They give me a chance to see what we missed. My grandmother used to live in San Miguel in the late 60’s, just two blocks from the Jardin, but we only visited a few times. (My parents were not good international travelers unless it was Canada or English speaking Europe. My father once tried to insult a Mexican taxi driver by calling him Pancho Villa, not realizing that the man is a national hero in Mexico. . .) And those visits never seemed to coincide with any of the festival days (And given how many festival days there are what are the odds of that!) so we had to be content with Grandma’s descriptions of the festivities instead. (Those were the days of film cameras and Grandma didn’t waste money on frivolous things like film.)

    I suspect there are plenty of missed opportunities to be regretted in most lives, but at the same time it’s often difficult to get up off my nether regions and grab all the opportunities that do come by. In that respect you are my ‘don’t just exist, get out there and live life!’ guru.

  2. Your mother is right, glad she supported your carrying on with your tradition:) Boy, they do know how to celebrate in Jardin. Looks like so much fun! That street corn looks and sounds so delicious. I am drooling!

    Happy New Year, Suzanne! Wishing the best for you and your family in 2015:)

  3. Happy times…wish you had your Bro there tho. Enjoy the mild temps, I hear it’s snowing in Arid-Zona (poor Peterman). Definitely snowing here, but we are getting out in it everyday…resistance training :))
    Box Canyon Mark from Lovely Ouray, Colorado

  4. You made the correct choice.
    May your experiences in 2015 equal or exceed the pleasures of 2014.
    Happy New Year
    Allen and Deede

  5. Wow that’s a fantastic place for a New Year’s celebration. They sure know how to party. Your pictures are great at sharing the excitement. I volunteer to go next time you need a companion. Just give me enough notice. I can hear though that your heart was heavy and worried. Safe travels back to be with those you love.

  6. John — Delectable is an excellent word! I am already looking forward to my second ear! Hope to see you and BJ before too long into 2015!

    Lisa — Thank you, and the same back to you and Hans! I hope there is another tiki bar meet-up for us in 2015!

    Greg — Thanks for such a nice comment! The festivals are definitely my favorite thing about Mexico, as they go all out, and then all evidence disappears by the next morning. I am honored by your “live life” comment, as that is the best compliment of all! (You too, Mom!) 😉

    Judie — Happy New Year! I do not know Billie, but no doubt we have some mutual friends. Everyone in San Miguel either is an artist or knows one! I will have a look at her blog. Thanks for the link…

    Pam — Thanks so much. I see via Allison’s blog that you may be headed toward Ft. McDowell? They are right across the street from my lonesome Winnie. Hope I catch up to you guys!

    BC Mark — “Resistance training” for you and Bobbie is a frightening thought for those of us who aspire to do another hike with you one day!

    Allen — Thank you, and I will wish the same for you and Deede in 2015!

    Maria — Igualmente, mi amiga!

    Jim and Barb — Thanks for the comment, and Happy 2015 to you both!

    Nina — It is the next best thing to being parked in the desert next to The Beast!

    Sherry — Be careful what you ask for, as you will be on next years solicitation list for traveling companions!

    Susan — It is only temporary, as I have two more SW posts “in the can.” You are my hero right back! 😉

    Dave — Thanks for the compliment. But even after all that canyon hiking, I still huff and puff up the steep hills of San Miguel!

  7. We understand well the pull of staying with elderly parents versus carrying on with your life. I do agree with your mother on this one. We loved our time in San Miguel and would love to be there at New Year’s Eve. Have an abundant 2015 Suzanne.

  8. Happy New Year – I hold you and your family in my prayers. Bless you all.

    I am so thankful for your blog, your book, your sharing all you do – SO inspiring! And I have not forgotten I owe you – I promised to send you a list of my favorite good eats in San Miguel and you sent me yours. Life intervened and I’ve not yet written the list. I will (promise, pinky swear). Until then here is a wonderful blog – be sure to read his Jan 6th post of the best eats in San Miguel) – you may already be aware of it. If not it will hold you over until I write – Donday is such fun to read http://dondayinsma.com/

    Wishing you the absolute best in 2015!

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