This is the first year since I've been in Petaluma that I have participated in the Day of the Dead festivities. Last night's planned candle-light procession from Water Street to the Art Center was canceled due to the rain. Instead, the live entertainment moved to St. Vincent's Hall. There was a good-sized crowd of people coming and going from the hall as well as people going up and downstairs to buy some very delicious food, art-work and other "El Dia" souvenirs.

Participating in this year's El Dia De Los Muertos celebration has been educational and fun for me. I've had an especially good time photographing the sights and art associated with the Day of the Dead. One of my favorite pieces of art is pictured here tonight and provides the title of this blog. It offers a thought-provoking lesson, one we can all profit from because of its "timely" message.

I've had a lot of fun photographing the art work on display at the Art Center. If you haven't already stopped by, time is running out so what are you waiting for?

There is quite a program planned for tomorrow night:

A traditional candlelight procession with giant puppets and mariachis, starting from Water Street Bistro (on the river in front of 100 Petaluma Blvd N Suite 106) to the Petaluma Art Center for an evening of art, altars, theater, food, music and dance. That starts at 6.

Then at 7 there will be a performance by the Ballet Folklorico Netzahualcoyotl and the Oakland Improv Collective at the Art Center. Food, beverages and folk art will be available for purchase.

I'm not quite sure what to make of the comment I received to my blog yesterday. I don't know anything about how they celebrate All Saints' Day in Europe but I do know it is a Holy Day for Catholics. I also know that Halloween, originally Hallow E'en (E'en being an abbreviated form of Even or Evening), is celebrated because it is the night before the feast of All Saints' Day. And while November 2, All Souls' Day, is not as holy a day to Catholics as All Saints' Day, it is still part of a remembrance of the dead.

El Dia De Los Muertos is not just a Mexican celebration but is observed in Latin and South America on November 1 and 2, the same days as All Saints' and All Souls' Days. If it's acceptable to celebrate Halloween, why is it not acceptable to celebrate Day of the Dead?

The more I read about El Dia De Los Muertos, the more I appreciate the sentiment behind it. Regardless of how the days are celebrated, they are meant to be a remembrance of those who have left us. While we the living are sad to think of loved one who are no longer with us, hopefully they have moved on to a better place and that's something the living can celebrate!

... and a good time was had by all.