Cinco de Maya$$

I used to think God created the blue agave to help us celebrate the short-lived Mexican victory over the French in the 1862 Battle of Puebla.

But now I know better.

Now I know it was to help those of us north of the Rio Grand cope, 151 years later, with Mamacita Nature's withholding of spring. It was to numb us just enough so as not to be bothered by the icy winds threatening to blow our sombreros away as we huddle around the chiminea for warmth in the middle of the afternoon. It was to relax us when mighty gusts send spikes up our spines and leave us wondering if playa weather will ever, ever return.

And it was created to make us better dancers.

Para bailar la bamba...