Toward the end of Nelson Algren's novel A Walk on the Wild Side, the hapless protagonist Dove Linkhorn finds himself in a New Orleans jail cell with an old con called Cross-Country Kline, who advises him that "life is hard by the yard" but "a cinch by the inch." Kline also suggests that "money can't buy everything. For example: poverty." The older man's advice is frequently quoted, reduced to three maxims: "Never play cards with a man called Doc. Never eat at a place called Mom's. Never sleep with a woman whose troubles are worse than your own."

I like poker, but the opportunity to play with a man called Doc has never presented itself (unless some shark was lying about his moniker). And let's just say that it has not been easy to find women with troubles worse than my own. But I tend to agree with Algren about restaurants called Mom's. They just don't inspire confidence.

And that goes for the abuelas too. There are plenty of them here in Mexico.