Looking out my Backdoor: Tequila lifts her skirts

Sunshine! After a solid week of all-day, all-night rain, the sun shines. Tropical Storm Lidia whooshed unrelenting rainclouds our way before veering off with a huff into the Pacific, energy dissipated.

We nestle in a mountain valley dominated by Volcan de Tequila, or Tequillan, “the place where they cut.” Volcan de Tequila has been inactive for 220,000 years but once spewed obsidian throughout an extensive area. People have mined obsidian here since ancient times.

Since she no longer threatens to erupt in temper, blue agave plants, the main ingredient in the Mexican drink, tequila,...