I just love how we humans make a party out of everything, even war.
And just in case you care, Cinco De Mayo IS NOT Mexican Independence day. Mexican Independence Day is September 16.
Cinco De Mayo celebrates one battle against the invading French forces. The battle took place in Puebla, Mexico and it's celebrated because the Mexican forces were outnumbered and outgunned and yet managed to defeat troops who had not been defeated in 50 years (these were the French troops of Napoleon's time).
As a child in Mexico, I don't remember Cinco de Mayo being a particularly big holiday. It is big here though.
The holiday became big in Texas mostly because of Benito Juarez (the first -and only, indian President of Mexico) who was at the time living in this tiny, dusty town in the border, now known as Juarez - of drinking, whoring, and general debauchary fame.
By the way, I believe Benito Juarez was the last, and possibly only, honest President Mexico has ever had.
But I digress. Cinco De Mayo is now a great excuse to throw a party, eat tasty Mexican food, and drink Corona and Tecate beer. Plus, pretty girls dress in pretty colorful dresses, adding myrth to the day.So what does this have to do with gardening? Absolutely nothing.
It's extraordinary, isn't it? We do something similar with 5th November when we celebrate that Guy Fawkes failed to blow up the king and Parliament and was hung drawn and quartered. As a child, I loved making his effigy for burning on an autumn bonfire - now I find that part of it a frightening and distasteful tradition. I continue to like fireworks and bonfires . . . and I think many people are confused about what it all means. Sometimes it is as if we are celebrating that he tried, and all the fires and fireworks are in honour of what might have been. Either way . . . it's an odd thing to derive fun from.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you found Esther's Boring Garden Blog and have become a follower. Thanks.
I like your blog too and I'll keep up with you through my links.
Esther
P.S. Did you draw your picture for your symbol?
Esther,
ReplyDeleteYes, I drew the cartoon and then took a picture of it with my cell phone. I was just messing around (which is my excuse for just about everything I do) :-)