PANDEMIC IN SPRINGTIME 5 - PANADERIA LILLYS

Unlike most American cities, we don't have a big Latino population but of course there is some. Its commercial center is Cherokee Street, where the businesses are mixed with an eclectic bunch of restaurants (Hispanic and not), bars, art galleries, night clubs and clothing stores. This is where you come if you want genuine pan Mexicana, a pair of hand tooled botas de vaquero or an old-fashioned dulceria. 

No one knows how many of these businesses will survive the pandemic. Several restaurants sell take away food at the door but is it enough to get by? I fear that a number of bars, breweries and galleries won't make it. Check back in the fall.             

LA RAÍZ DE TODO MAL

Wall painting on a Mexican general store on Cherokee Street. There is a cash machine in the wall just to the right. STL doesn't have the Hispanic population most US cities do but what there we got is centered in this area. You will find Latino restaurants, clothing stores, groceries (there is even an all-Latino candy store, or dulceria), bakeries and places to wire money to Mexico and Central America.

Now, my question is how many passers-by think this painting is really cool and how many are horrified by it. I'm in the second camp, looking at the scream of short-lived materialistic joy, that mouth and that dress. Now at least she can afford more fabric. There is a Buddhist temple just down the street. Too bad they weren't consulted. 

Oh, and by the way, today is Mrs. C's and my 45th anniversary. We still like each other and I consider myself very, very fortunate. I think we should do something about the occasion.