December 12: The Virgin of Guadalupe

December 12 is an important day for Mexican Catholics. It is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. An excellent summary of the history of this feast, including a little insight into the internal politics of organized Catholicism, can be found in this linked column by Maria Elena Salinas for the Arizona Daily Star.

Even if you know nothing at all about the Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, you have undoubtedly seen her image on a plaque, blanket or tattoo. As far as popularity goes, the Virgin of Guadalupe is big. Really big. Bigger than . . . Oprah.

Have you ever imagined living in Mexico? If so, or if you are just looking for a book that will help you escape the cold reality of winter, check out On Mexican Time by Tony Cohan. In this well-written memoir, Mr. Cohan chronicles the journey he and his wife undertook out of the fast lane in California and into a new life in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. It is a very, very nice read.

The Story of Pearl Hart

Seventeen-year-old Pearl met "met a handsome, smooth-talking gambler with a reputation as a con man and layabout. " The two ran off together, and a fast life began for Pearl Hart. She later left husband Hart, who was also a mean drunk, and went on to a life involving robbery, and running a ring of criminals. Pearl's story of life in the fast lane, circa 1900, is presented in an article by Kimberly Matas in today's Arizona Daily Star.

Pearl Hart loved the cowboy lifestyle, and even did a stint in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, writes Ms. Matas. She was "a bawdy, hard-drinking woman who could cuss with the best of the cowboys, but she loved her mother." Guess Ms. Hart didn't merely put cracks in the glass ceiling.

Pearl Hart followed her own path.