You know the song, “It’s my party and I’LL cry if I want to?” Put these words to that tune,'”It’s my blog and I’LL gloat if I want to, gloat if I want to, gloat if I want to, you would gloat too if it happened to you”.

Ok imagine this I have the satellite radio cranked up so I can hear it outside. I am in this venue with chair, English version of the local paper, orange juice and fresh banana bread have my laundry drying in the sun all this time the little white flakes are falling in Nanaimo!!!!….That is it gloating over.

Today is a huge holiday and celebration in Mexico..

- Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe. The most famous and beloved icon in all Mexico, the Virgin of Guadalupe is the patron saint of the country and the "Empress of Latin America." To Mexicans, she is The Mother. You will never enter a Catholic church in Mexico without finding her portrait somewhere.

This is her story: In 1531, an indigenous man, Juan Diego, was on his way to church when the Virgin appeared to him on Tepayac Hill, near Mexico City. She instructed him to tell the bishop to build her a church on that spot. But poor Juan, being only an Indian, could not convince the bishop he was telling the truth. So the Virgin appeared to him again. At her feet, Spanish roses grew, even though it was winter. She told him to wrap them in his cloak and take them to the bishop as proof of the miracle. When he spilled the roses at the bishop's feet, the brown-skinned Virgin's image had been imprinted on the cloak—which is now in the Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe that stands on Tepayac Hill.

Everywhere are shines with beautiful flowers.  

 

 

 

 

I followed this parade

 

 

to a local school where a huge celebration was taking place.  These people sure know how to have a party.

Love this photo of the kids.

It was a great party hard to describe the music and the laughter and the sheer joy of everyone there.

On the walk back

I then met with the Director of the home where Paola lives and I learned so much about this home which is funded and run totally on the generosity of people who want to help and I have arranged to have a tour of the home next.  The Director Robin is another of those dedicated people with Angel wings!!

I had an interesting ride home in a cab the driver was teaching me Spanish and I actually understood most of what he was saying!

Now back home with a huge pan of fresh strawberries ready for the freezer then a few days later breakfast.

Now it is 9pm and guess what I am doing??

Was it a good day, well I think so….