La Catrina is the face of Dia de los Muertos. The origin and popularity of the figure is a bit murky (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Calavera_Catrina) but it is now inescapable during the November 1 - 2 period of All Saints and All Souls Days. This example at the History Museum festival stands in front of the flag of the City of St. Louis.
One of the most touching customs of Dia de los Muertos is the building of altars that memorialize the dead but, even more, keep the living in communion with them. It can be an individual, an entire family or something much wider. At the History Museum's festival there is always an altar for the entire local Peruvian community. This one strikes particularly deep. The circle at the bottom center say "Perished In ICE Custody or Encounters, 2025-2026." ICE, of course, is the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency. I don't need to repeat its story.
There is an annual Dia de los Muertos festival at STL's Missouri History Museum. (Which should be called the St. Louis History Museum, since you won't find a thing about the Ozarks or Kansas City. I suppose there are old legal reasons.) One of the main presentations was an hour-long program of old and new danza mexicana. More to come.
Granddaughter Ellie's school was closed on Election Day, which suddenly seems to be a thing. We all went to the St. Louis Aquarium, which the kid loves. Plenty of fish, sure, but also aquatic animals like this one. Is it sleeping?
Mrs. C and I are devoted listeners to National Public Radio's show Science Friday. Ira Flatow, left, has hosted the program for 36 years. He came to St. Louis yesterday and recorded a segment of his show at the Sheldon Concert Hall with Dr. Lúcia G. Lohmann, president ad director of our superb Missouri Botanical Garden and professor of botany at Washington University in St. Louis. Great way to spend a Thursday evening.
