Spring arrives early here in the central mountains of Mexico. Now that the daytime temps are hovering around 75 F. and the skies are consistently clear-baby-blue and sunny, and San Miguel de Allende’s grand old Parque Juarez is bursting with colorful flowering plants for sale, you know it’s Candelaria-time, a celebration of primavera.
Adios, winter!
In previous years’ posts I’ve written about the story and meaning behind La Candelaria, so I won’t do so again now. Instead, please go to the WOW archives to find “Where are You, Spring?” published Feb. 3, 2018; and “Flower Power” published Feb. 7, 2017.
This year I’ll just let my photos taken at the current Candelaria fair tell their own stories and allow you to feel as if you’re here enjoying an early primavera with me.
As an extra bonus, I’ll add this small poem I just found among the countless (much longer) poems about this most poetic, beautiful, colorful, and hopeful season of the year.
Spring
by Archie Greenidge
Spring is life
Spring is hope
So is love and
happiness.
Spring renews.
Without spring,
life is forlorn.
Spring is nostalgia
after bitter storm.
Put spring in your heart.
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Pretty essay, Bonnie. Candelaria is a lovely celebration. Who can resist the call of those lovely flowers? Candelaria renews our gardens as well as ourselves after a cold winter.
Thanks so much, P.! Yes, this is just one more reason that life here is lovelier…
Wow, Bonnie! I can’t wait to get back. It’s cold and grey in Santa Fe and Arizona. Snowed last week in Santa Fe. Just what I needed.
What good news to learn that you’re looking forward to returning to SMA, Helaine! I’m looking forward to seeing you back here. Safe travels in all that snow.
Lovely
Thanks, Lyn!
Can you spell jealous? The snow is still heaped up in my garden by the driveway!
Barb, I’m trying not to laugh… It’s really not funny. I just checked the temps.for Taos. Ouch! Well, you’ll be here soon enough, and you’ll see for yourself why there’s reason to be jealous! — xx
Dear Bon,
How I envy the warm weather. It’s so cold in Boston.
Love,
Paul
So come on down, Paul, dear! Oh, I know you can’t right now. But asap, OK? — xx
Thank you Bonnie — the park is truly a feast for the eyes and the soul this month and it’s always nice to have a reminder to “stop and smell the flowers.”
So true, Kim. When I walked through the park this afternoon, I saw that many of the vendors are still there, and I learned that the planned restoration of the park, after the plant fair has truly ended (on Friday), will only take place in sections. So it’ll still be available for us daily park-walkers. Gracias a dios!