Tag Archives: writing

Always grateful!!

16 Friday Jan 2026

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“Gratitude begins in our hearts and then dovetails into behavior. It almost always makes you willing to be of service, which is where the joy resides. It means that you are willing to stop being such a jerk. When you are aware of all that has been given to you, in your lifetime and the past few days, it is hard not to be humbled, and pleased to give back.”― Anne Lamott

2026 will be an amazing year!!

Why?  you may ask.

Because I said so! :–)

Well, this is the year I am turning 60 years old.  That thought it is hitting me like a ton of bricks.  It is daunting to think I will be 60.  What happened to 30, 40, and 50?  It feels like it all went so fast.

At moments I get a bit down about it.   60 feels heavy.  It feels like I have done nothing with my life.

Then I remember and realize how blessed I am, and how much I have accomplished.  Age is just a number. What is important is to live every moment to the max. It is important to not to waste this beautiful gift called life.

So the best thing to do is to live it up, no matter what the number is. 60, 70, 80, or 90 like my mom.

I have so much to be grateful for.  Everything is a matter of attitude and perception. Today I am choosing to remember all the beauty and blessings. My family, Michael, health, home, work, friends, a great mind and great heart.  My breath, the ocean, my bike, French bread with butter… and the list goes on and on.

I am even grateful for the hardships that made me strong and successful. 

What I have today is even more than I ever dreamed of.  Not to enjoy it and be grateful would be a sin!

Enjoy it all!

But remember, until March 28 I am still in my 50s! 🙂

 
An old Portuguese prayer of gratitude:
And what do you want the coming year to bring you?
Nothing, I don’t want it to bring me anything. The only thing I want is for it not to take anything away.
May it not take away the roof that shelters me, the food that nourishes me, the blanket that warms me, nor the light that illuminates me. May it not take away the smiles of my loved ones, my health—which is my treasure—nor the work that sustains me.
May friendship, companionship, hugs, and kisses remain.
May it not take away my dreams, nor the pieces of my heart—formed by the people I cherish—that I always carry within me.

 

Sunset – Melbourne Beach, FL

02 Sunday Nov 2025

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The sunset at Melbourne Beach Pier overlooking the Indian River Lagoon is one of my favorite places.  The sunset is a great time to stop and say thank you for the day.

I don’t know where I saw the below writing, but I really like it.  If you know who wrote it, please let me know so I can give them credit.

  1. your growth comes first,
    2. be intentional with your time,
    3. forcing things does not work,
    4. being kind supports your peace,
    5. hang out with revitalizing people,
    6. let consistency help your flourishing,
    7. remember the progress you have made,
    8. slow things down when your mood is low,
    9. people pleasing hurts your mental health,
    10. seeking perfection hinders your progress,
    11. you cannot make everyone understand you.

 

 

 

 

All green and bones – Happy Halloween!

31 Friday Oct 2025

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“Most people will tell you growing up means you stop believing in Halloween things – I’m telling you the reverse. You start to grow up when you understand that the stuff that scares you is part of the air you breathe.” ― Peter Straub

When I was growing up in Brazil there was no Halloween.  Now due to globalization,  Halloween is increasingly becoming part of our culture.  In some areas we do have a different names for it, such as Dia das Bruxas (Witch’s Day) and Dia do Saci (Saci Day).

Saci is one legged black boy with a pipe and red hat from Brazilian Folklore.  He played tricks on people and was quick to disappear in a whirlwind.

I never spent Halloween in Brazil, so I am not sure about kids going trick or treating.  I know of parties, specially hosted by language schools.

I am not really into dressing up and costumes parties, but I do love seeing the kids all dressed up, and I always enjoy some people’s creativity when it comes to their costumes.  

Another thing I always loved was seeing the houses decorated for Halloween, and all other holidays for that matter.

As I go on evening bike rides, I plan on taking pictures.  But as I sit here composing this post I realized that Halloween is here and I only took a couple of pictures.

A few is better than none.

I hope you are having a grand ole time, no matter what you are doing today.  Being alive is a great reason for celebration!

 

 

“Halloween is the only time people can become what they want to be without getting fired.”
― Sylvester Stallone

It is good to be back

28 Tuesday Oct 2025

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“Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.” ― Maya Angelou

After one week in Chile, two months in Brazil and one week in New York, I am finally back in Florida.  I have been here for one week.

It feels good to be back and try to start a routine.  Feels good to play house with Michael.  Well, I am already looking at cruises and ski trips… I love having things to look forward to. 

Our building is finally done with the renovations.  There are still some little issues, but Michael and I are fully enjoying our apartment. 

I have so much organizing to do.  Michael returned from Brazil before I did.  He stopped in NY and picked up some more of my stuff.  So I have boxes and boxes to organize, including tons of mosaic material and mosaics pieces.

After my father’s death and watching my mother struggle with debilitating hip pain, I decided to think about my health more seriously.   I want to have a very active future, and I know I need to address issues that I have learned to live with. 

I arrived home and hit the ground running:

  • I got a gym membership
  • I got a personal trainer for two times a week (I need that accountability) 
  • I got blood tests done
  • I got a physical and wellness check (cholesterol down to 174 from 248!! yippie)
  • I got an eye exam and ordered 3 new glasses (from Costco – the best place to get glasses!!)
  • I made appointment with:
    • an orthopedic doctor (time to revisit the hip issues)
    • an ENT doctor (time to revisit the vertigo symptoms)
    • a skin doctor (a big brown spot all of sudden appeared on my hip)
    • imaging center for bone density and mammogram
  • Bought a bedroom set.  We are not picky, hate shopping, and don’t like to wait.  So we just went out on Saturday bought a bedroom set and three hours later they delivered it.  We love it!  

There is more to do, but this all feels like progress, and progress makes me very happy.  The only problem is that all these doctor’s appointments, and possible tests and follow-ups are going to interfere with future travel plans 🙂

… not to mention the little detail of having a full-time job.  Retirement? Retirement? Where are you?

 

 

My view as I write this: so grateful!!

My view as I write this: so grateful!!

“True happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future, not to amuse ourselves with either hopes or fears but to rest satisfied with what we have, which is sufficient, for he that is so wants nothing. The greatest blessings of mankind are within us and within our reach. A wise man is content with his lot, whatever it may be, without wishing for what he has not.” ― Seneca

 

The cycle of life

02 Tuesday Sep 2025

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My father passed away the Saturday before last.  He died at 8am and was buried at 4pm.  In Brazil embalming is not customary, so burials are normally within 24 hours.  I chose not to wait for the next day.  To me it would be prolonging my mother’s pain.

A lot relatives and friend’s didn’t make it to the funeral, or even found out about his death until after, but I am still comfortable with my choice.  To me, the faster the burial, the faster the grief process can begin.  We honor him every day by the fond memories and funny stories we share.

It was not expected, even though he had been dealing with many illness for decades. He died in the hospital, but peacefully, and for that I am extremely grateful.

I am grateful for God’s generosity.  I was here with my family so I was able to care for him on his final days. I was able to make the funeral arrangements, buy a plot, etc.

He is at peace.  I do not question for a moment God’s wisdom and timing. We, the family, are comforted by the memories and because we all have done our best to care for him and provide him with the best and most comfortable life.

I was sleeping with him at the hospital.  He had been admitted the day before, and that is when we found out he pneumonia, besides the other illnesses.  In the middle of the night I heard him say my mother’s name, even though he had oxygen mask on, and was no longer speaking.  I got up and went to him and he was sleeping.  I said: “Dad, don’t worry about mom.  If that is the reason you are holding on, go in peace.  There are a lot people to care for her.”  I said a couple of prayers and held his hand for awhile.

A nurse came in, and said all was okay and that I should try to get some sleep.  This was about 5am. I woke up at 8am, shocked that I has fallen asleep. I looked at him and knew in my heart he was gone.  He was still warm, but not breathing anymore.  As a family we chose not to try any invasive method to keep him alive, such as resuscitate or intubate. 

No regrets. We will now continue to love and care for my mother as best as we can. 

Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

By Mary Elizabeth Frye

 

 

He made it!

25 Friday Jul 2025

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This morning I saw another baby turtle making its way to the ocean.

It is really amazing that they are able to make it against all odds.

My video making actions is still a struggle, but it is very hard to record those little guys.  They move faster than they look, plus I am trying not to get too close to them, and had just taken a fall.

It was 6am, still dark and all of a sudden I spot this little guy going towards the sand bar the tides created. I realized he would fall, which he did and landed on his back. I fell as I stepped on the sand bank to go down to him. By the time I got up he had turned himself over and was on his way.

All is well that ends well!

Sunset Bliss

24 Thursday Jul 2025

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I love my sunset bike rides.  Before returning home I normally sit at a bench by the river and spend some time doing some or all of the following:

  • Watching the creatures, such as dolphins, jumping fishes or the birds diving to catch them
  • Calling my sister and catching up 
  • Reading my fellow blogger’s posts
  • Playing a game of buraco on the phone (buraco is a Brazilian card game)
  • Watching people doing yoga (free class on Thursdays, I may join in the future)
  • Composing a mental gratitude list.  I have so much to be grateful for
  • Nothing (this is very hard for me, but I do attempt it)

Here is heaven:

Shoes, eyewear and turtles

22 Tuesday Jul 2025

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I have a shoe problem.  In the beginning I was walking on the beach barefoot, but I had all sorts of pain in my knees and my hips.  I looked into some water shoes, but haven’t found any that provided the support I want and need.  Water sandals didn’t work either, they let the sand in and it becomes uncomfortable, also my foot slides in them, so there is no support.  I also need high tops so that sand doesn’t get in them.

For the moment I have been walking in sketchers tennis shoes. They are good, but I don’t want to get them wet, so I have been walking mostly on the dry soft sand, instead of closer to the water.  I am still in search of the perfect beach walking shoes.

Today I found myself walking much closer to the water because of some sand banks the tide has created.  It is interesting to see how the ocean and tides behave during the different seasons.  Michael is a surfer so I am hearing more than I care to know about how the waves are behaving on a daily basis.

I feel bad for the turtles.  In some areas they cannot go over the sand wall that has been created.  Look at the tracks in the picture below.  They were headed to the sand to lay their eggs, but had to abort the mission and return to the ocean.  

All I found today were items returned by the ocean.  They all looked like they had spent a night in the ocean and returned in the morning.  I am guessing the ocean is tired of eyewear.

I saw another baby turtle, but unfortunately it was dead.  I think a crab had tried to grab its legs.  I am amazed that some of them are able to make it to the water, with all the obstacles and predators.

A blessed week to all!

I wrote the above yesterday, but didn’t have the chance to edit and post it.  I don’t have time to do it today either, but decided to post it anyway or it will never be done.

I have a financial audit, and also the final answer letter to the NFA findings both due on Thursday, July 24th.  I am giving myself Friday off, if those are finished and there is no follow up questions.

Briefly, today I saw 2 turtles going back to the ocean.  I didn’t take pictures. The first one it was still dark out and I didn’t want do anything to disturb it.  The second one, there were already too many people watching it.

I found goggles again, a couple of shovels and a t-shirt, plus assorted bottle caps and straws.

Sorry about typos. I hope everyone has a blessed day!  May you see all the blessings in your life!

Getting busy living

16 Wednesday Jul 2025

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I am still here, just the usual busyness.

I went to NY for a couple of weeks to pack some more of my stuff.  At the moment, I only have some of my mom’s paintings and mosaic materials left there.

I thought I would be going back to NY more often, but that is not the case.  I rather try to develop a routine here.

Another 2 weeks of routine here, and we are off to ski in Chile.  I am so excited about that!! From there we will be spending a couple of months in Brazil to help out with my aging parents.

The audit my company is going through it is coming to an end.  It has taken 6 months.  I just need to write a couple of pages of answers to their findings, and a couple of late requests, but I am so relieved that this is final.  Hopefully it will be more than a couple of years until they return again. 

 I am still walking on the beach in the mornings and bicycle riding along the river in the afternoons.

I am not sure why, but I haven’t really been finding a lot on the beach, not even garbage.  Perhaps:

  • Someone is getting up earlier than I do and cleans up the beach. I go to walk at 6am.
  • There has been a lot less people on the beach. Less people, less garbage.
  • People are becoming better about picking up after themselves. I wish!!

I still continue to see turtles laying their eggs.  I just look from a distance.  I want to give them their space.   It is a long nesting season for the 3 types of turtles we have here: green turtle, leatherback and the loggerhead.

I have only seen 1 baby so far.  By the prints on the sand, it looked like he was just late leaving the nest.

Clearly by the video I could never be a videographer 😊. In my defense, I was far away so it was not that simple.

I hope you are having an amazing summer (or winter depending in what hemisphere you are). 

Blessings!

Real or fake?

06 Friday Jun 2025

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The other day I found the colorful shells pictured below.     

There are stretches of this beach where there are thousands of shells.  I have seen shells of all kinds, sizes and colors, but this is the first time I have seen shells this green and this pink.

I don’t normally collect shells – I plan on getting some to eventually do a mosaic project – but I couldn’t resist not picking up these ones.

They look like they could have been hand painted.  Were they?  Is someone playing a trick?

Wishing everyone the most blessed weekend!  Be grateful for the small things!