“Summertime, and the living is easy.” 

Thank you Jerome Kern, that great song expresses the feelings of most full-time Lakeside residents who are sighing with relief this weekend. And why wouldn’t they be expressing joy and gratitude with giant sighs?

“Memorial Day is early this year,” a friend said the other day. That simple statement launched a dynamic conversation and evoked a flood of memories. 

In the midst of celebrating Mexico’s five holidays in the first ten days of May, we failed to mention a noteworthy international date – the 70th anniversary of World War II’s Victory in Europe (VE) Day. 

Alvaro Beas Morales had just celebrated his 16th birthday when he left home in March 1978 to explore the land of opportunity north of the border. 

I was thinking again this week how incredibly lucky we are to live here. Oh, I know, it’s been a little hot in the afternoons and we sure could use some rain and there was that trouble last week in Guadalajara. But, think about it. Have you ever known of a place anywhere where the residents do so much for the community? 

Part of the joy of living in Mexico is having the opportunity to learn new customs, traditions and holidays. The Merry Month of May gives us plenty of opportunities to learn – after all there are seven holidays this month, and most of those are in the first ten days!