“The traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see.” ―
I have been in Brazil now since May 11th. I am returning to NY this Saturday, May 28. I love being in Brazil with my parents, but I miss my routine in the US.
I came back to Brazil to bring my mother back after her stay in NY, and also to give my brother a vacation from taking care of my parents. He went to Porto Seguro, Bahia, where it is always sunny and hot.
In our area, in the Southeast of Brazil, it has been chilly. There is no indoor heating. I have been trying to talk my parents into getting a heater but it has been tough for them to accept it. Anything new to my parents, it is a waste of money. It doesn’t matter if I am the one paying for.
“It is not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about?” ―
While here I am spending most of my time:
- Preparing lunch. Lunch is a big deal here. Right at breakfast we talk about what will be on the menu for lunch. There is always rice, beans and a salad. Then a protein, mostly beef or chicken, and vegetables, anything from zucchini to okra.
- Fixing stuff around the house/buying stuff. I bought new hampers and other accessories for the home, I cemented some loose stones around the the balcony and garage, cleaned closets, etc.
- Having friends over for afternoon coffee. Not all of them tell us they are coming. Some just show up. There is always country cheese, and a combination of breads, cookies, cheese bread, etc on the table.
- Working remotely. I have been doing office work a few hours a day. It is not as productive as when I am in the office, and often frustrating to work on a tiny laptop, but I have been getting stuff done.
- Pilates. I started on the day arrived and have been going every day for one hour. The studio is around the corner from my house. It has been amazing!! I wish I could do Pilates every day forever.
- Answering the door. There are all kinds of people selling all kinds of stuff. We are customers of some of them for years. We buy everything from produce to water. There is always some new face selling something. My parents buy something from everyone to help them out.
I do a lot here, and still doesn’t feel I am doing enough or as much as I should. I arrive full of plans, and want to go home feeling I have accomplished a lot.
Lately when I am in Brazil I mostly stay with my parents. I want to spend as much time with them as I can while I have them. But the other evening I decided to meet some girlfriends for a drink. We had pizza and wine, and it was a lot fun.
Since getting Covid in December I haven’t been myself mentally. I forget things, I mess up things. My family noticed and they are urging me to see a doctor. Just today I went to another town one hour away to deliver some documents. When I got there, I realized that I had taken the wrong envelope. This type of situation has been a constant for me, daily.
I hope this mental fogginess gets better. The heartburn and anxiety are gone, so I have faith it is a matter of time. It is just tough right now to be second guessing myself and see myself becoming insecure and unsure.
See you back in NY! 🙂
https://www.instagram.com/blessedwithastar/?hl=en
“One must still have chaos in oneself to be able to give birth to a dancing star.” ―
Blessed with a Star on the Forehead 
I love your posts. They make me smile. I can picture things through your descriptive words…
Sorry abt the mental fogginess. Praying for clarity (I sound like I’m a 100 years old) ha, but I like my wisdom lately
Love and light to you precious soul. ♥️
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Hi Kat,
I am always intent on adding more pictures to my blog, but in the end I never remember to take them, only a few here and there. I am glad that you are able to picture my descriptions.
You don’t sound old at all, you sound (and I know you are) very wise!! I am glad that you are trusting your wisdom lately.
Thank you for the love and light! Some to you, along with blessings!
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Well… it could also be getting older, going through menopause that messes with the hormones. In our 50s, the body really starts to show changes. If you go on any site where woman talk about these things you’ll see your symptoms are like most women. Of course, you don’t want to rule out COVID, but just mentioning this.
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Hi Monica,
I didn’t think I had any major issues with menopause, but I am sure it is partially responsible for a host of problems I have. I guess it is really a combination of causes: menopause, age, covid, stress, etc.
Blaming Covid for everything does seem like an easy way out.
Thank you and blessings to you!
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LOL – YES, you covered it! That’s why it is hard for doctors to diagnose anything. Think about it, COVID symptoms are similar to cold, allergies, flu, thyroid, stomach virus, etc… the list goes on. That’s why we should do our BEST to eat well, exercise and NOT get sick. I think if we focus on not being well, we won’t be well. If we focus on a minor ailment which will PASS, we can help cure ourselves. Of course, MAYBE we do have something wrong, but I’ve gone to the Dr enough times in my life to be sent home after many tests being told — YOU ARE FINE. So, why spend a lot of money on that diagnosis. Plus, a few months ago I went in thinking I might have COVID, they did different tests… COVID, Strep, etc. I just got the bill, the Strep test was $95, PLUS $6.95 or something like that to READ the RESULTS. REALLY? And that was just the charge for reading ONE RESULT… Anyhow, the Dr markups knowing that Insurance will pay is getting out of hand, in my opinion. STAY WELL — LAUGH, SMILE and do more MOSAICS! 🙂
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MH fogs are so difficult at times! I started getting them when I got Fibromyalgia and it can be so hard… Id like to say you learn to adapt but for me, it’s not been the case, unfortunately. I have become more forgiving to myself when I mess up again because of the brain fogs.
I hope you have a good time with your parents and I hope you’ll feel good about what you’ve done while being there. 😊
Have a fabulous day 🌸
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Hi Cynny,
I am glad you mentioned that you have become more forgiving of yourself, as I am learning to do that also. We already have so much against us, we have to be kind to ourselves.
I have been relying a lot on lists. It helps to keep some things on track and I do feel more secure. For everything else I am trying to slow down and do one thing at a time.
Thank you so much and blessings to you!
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Thanks for your reply. I don’t make lists for myself but I do greatly work with a steady routine. For my autism Iove having a reliable routine and it also helps me a lot with my brain fogs. 😊
Indeed, focusing on one thing at a time works wonders as well. It may be slow compared to what we were used to, but if it helps us finish things, it’s a win!
Have a fabulous day 🌸 🌈
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Hi Cynni,
Now, more than ever I realized that I need routine in my life.
And to also realize that I am older and slower helps also lol
Wishing you a blessed weekend!
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Thank you 🌸
Yes, routine may sound boring but it can greatly help to battle the brain fogs. 😊
Easy does it just as well. When you’re in a hurry, often things go wrong. So nothing bad with taking it a notch slower. It might be even better. 😊
Wishing you a wonderful weekend yourself as well 🌈
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Mind fog could be caused by more than one reason – please investigate♥ I liked how you explained a typical day with your parents in Brazil. They sound like kind people who feel a sense of responsibility to others even if they don’t spend much at the door, they spend a little. So kind and nice. Apples and trees. – David
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Hi David,
You are right, and Monica just mentioned that, there could be issues other than covid behind the mental fogginess. I am intent on looking into it.
I am blessed I have parents that taught me honesty and generosity above all.
Thank you for the kindness! Blessings!
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Hugs
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Enjoy the time with your parent, NY will always be here 😊.
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Thank you so much Janice!
Blessings to you!
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Enjoy the last licks before you’re back!
Speaking of Covid.. my husband lost his sense of smell over a year ago when he had Covid. Since then he is unable to smell. At all. This has so effected him (and me!) and it really is difficult dealing with the Covid ramifications..
Hope you get to feel better soon 🥰
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Hi Simone,
How awful not to be able to smell. I hope it returns.
I had lost the sense of taste, but it returned quickly when I started chewing on ginger every night.
Thank you and blessings!
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oh my I do hope you are ok. Maybe jet lagged, doing too much and the care of aging parents is not easy, even though I know you want to spend as much time as you can with them. It’s a lot. Enjoy your finals days and safe travels home as well Ana Star! 💖💖
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Thank you Cindy!
I do take on so much and try to do too much. I am trying to deal in priorities and forgive myself for things left undone.
Blessings to you!!
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I’m glad you’re enjoying your time with family Ana. I’m sure they appreciate all you do. I can relate having just returned from my trip to Virginia to help my mom. Take care
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Hi Brad,
I glad that we are alike with the care we have with our parents.
They do appreciate and we do get extra blessings for it.
Wishing a blessed weekend!
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Agreed Ana. Hugs…
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Your [parents are lucky to have you. I hope your fogginess disappears quickly and wish you a safe journey back to NY. Pilates is great. There are a lot of good pilates classes on YouTube. Love the Chesterton quote. 🙂
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Thank you so much Carol!
I am going to try to have the discipline to do Pilates at home alone. I normally need the guidance of an instructor or I am useless.
Blessings!
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You are my rock star! Juss sayin’ 😃
I noticed a great decline in my memory and clarity. I started taking B12 and there was a noticeable (positive) difference right away. Just a thought. 💕
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You are the best Andi!
I am already taking B12, but I do need to review all I am taking and make some adjustments. Thank you for sharing!
Blessings!
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💕
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Thank you for sharing a part of your world and journey!.. enjoy the time with family while you can, gather memories for the future… perhaps may be the aging process with the memory, also one gets to multi-tasking and get off track.. I make tons of notes here and have them everywhere, half the time I forget where I put them.. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Have a safe journey back to the USA and until we meet again..
May the sun shine all day long
Everything go right, nothing go wrong
May those you love bring love back to you
May all the wishes you wish come true
May peace be within you
May your heart be strong
May you find whatever you’re seeking
Wherever you may roam
(Irish Saying)
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haha… I am doing that often also… making notes and misplacing them.
oh well, one of the joys of getting older.
Many blessings to you Larry!
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This such tragic time with Covid. Hope all goes well.
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Thank you! It keeps getting better!
Blessings!
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I’m so sorry that you’re still struggling from Covid. Taking care of your parents is a lot to balance while working and cooking and trying to maintain your exercise routine. Be kind to yourself. There will always be a million things to do but these moments with your family are priceless
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Thank you LaShelle, I did cherished those moments, as I realize that because of their age, there will not be that many more changes.
Being kind to ourselves is one of the best things we could do, to us and others.
Blessings to you!
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My wife & I share your enthusiasm for Pilates, Ana. A trainer at our gym recommended the classes a while back and we’ve been going weekly ever since. We’d go more often if they weren’t so pricey. What a great way to to start the day!
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Hi Dave,
Indeed, price is the deterrent for me now. In Brazil I paid 38 reais. About 8 dollars per 1 hour session.
Blessings!
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Maybe someone should come to the door with a heater 😉 lol
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hahaha that would be perfect!!!
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Personable and nice. A pleasure to read. Thank you.
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Thank yo! Blessings!
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Very true quote by Chesterton.
True as well about COVID. My eldest daughter is an MD, caught it “thrice”, she says everybody reacts different.
I hope your parents will be all right. Old age can be hard.
Até…
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Hello,
I cannot imagine getting covid 3 times, but then again, perhaps it will eventually be like the common cold.
My parents are hanging in there, thank you! Old age is hard, when the body is giving out and the mind is still sharp as a tack! Blessings to you!
Até mais,
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Well, she is an infectologist, working in a hospital and attending COVID patients. So, despite all precautions and shots…
Blessings to your parents.
Até logo… 😉
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oh I can only imagine all she is exposed to. May she be safe and healthy!
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Thank you. She is taking all precautions… 🤞🏻
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Delighted to hear that you have had a relaxing time in Brazil – it sounds idyllic to me. My mum wouldn’t let me pay for her utility bill so sat in the cold…it has been 20 years since her death. Enjoy every minute with your parents and hope your Long Covid symptoms disappear in time. K x
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Hi Kerry,
I guess a lot moms are the same, too proud to take the kid’s money.
I think about the fact that I won’t have them for long, so it makes it easier to enjoy the good moments and ignore those tricky ones.
As far as the symptoms, still here, but I believe it is getting milder and milder, or so I hope!
Wishing you a blessed weekend!
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Hope your weekend is less hot than ours – 100F. I bet your parents adore their caring family, Ana. 💟
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100!!! ouch!! keep cool!!
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Sounds like a lovely trip! And the fogginess is totally normal! With or without covid, overtime, its definitely a new normal. Being patient with oneself, setting up reminders, and taking your time with extra checks in place help! Great to see you enjoying the little things as they make up to be big things each day! 🙂
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Hi Pink,
It was a great time.
I realize that the hands of time are getting to me, and there is no way to escape, but to handle it as best as I can.
All you suggestions are very helpful, and I will add them to my days.
Blessings to you!
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I got covid Jan 2021 & only recently feeling myself — you’ll get there, just give it time
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Hi da-Al,
Thank you for reminding me that there is light at the end of this covid tunnel!
For a time I thought that the symptoms would never leave.
Blessings to you!
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❤
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the one good thing when I get sick — & now with having not been able to smell or taste properly for a year & a half — one really really appreciates being healthy when it comes back!
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That is for sure! Nothing better to appreciate health, than getting sick!!
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