Cheers to 60!

 

Hip hip Hooray!

Turning 60 is not just marked by time, but by the sum of experiences, lessons, and stories accumulated throughout life. I look back with more understanding and, at the same time, face the future with a new perspective. It's not just about getting older, but about recognizing achievements, overcoming losses, and valuing what really matters. In short, maturing.

 

In the past, this "senior" period was associated with limitation and isolation; today it can represent freedom, autonomy, and new possibilities. Age ceases to be a final point and becomes a new beginning.

 

Thus, turning 60 can mean living with more lightness and authenticity. It's a phase where there's no more rush, enjoying each moment with more awareness, gratitude, and the freedom to be who you truly are; despite the aches and pains.

Written: June 9, 2026

Google Images

Until Death Comes a Calling

 

When you are deceived

The heart shatters

Finding out can make you feel relieved

Thus, what truly matters?

 

At night there is an exercise session

Tossing and turning and shedding tears

Questions take you into a profound regression

Releasing your deepest fears.

 

Will I ever trust again?

Will I end up alone?

What did I do wrong?

How could I have been so blind?

 

As time marches

One step at a time

You start to realize that

Life is still at its prime.

 

However, all the pain you feel

Makes you feel unreal

A body drifting through the days

Until death collects its prey.

 

Written: May 20, 2026

 

Google Images

She has flown!

 

As I search for the words to honor this poet, writer, director of UBE (Brazilian Writers' Union), creator and editor of Voo Livre ( Free Flying literal translation – a literary magazine)magazine, organizer of Mulherio de SP (Women Writers of São Paulo), professor and, above all, friend, Marina Marino, the sister that literature gave me, I have to stop, wipe away the tears and breathe after each word typed.

Twin sisters, many say, including our blood sisters. At the Biennial (Book Fair) in Ceará last year, our nickname was "the MMs of SP". I was mistaken for Marina several times at events. I received a warm hug, as she was a dear friend, and my response was always: "She's the one you're looking for," and I would point to Marina, who always smiled affectionately, already knowing what had happened. We laughed a lot when people mixed us up.

 I met Marina online during the pandemic when we were going to present an event together for the Scortecci publishing house (in fact, in several anthologies, it was Marina and then Meire). Back then, we both had blonde hair. When we first met in person, it was like a gathering of long-time friends, however, we had red hair, without having previously mentioned that we were going to change our hair color. What a coincidence!

If I had to describe Marina in one word, it would be generous. She opened many doors for lovers of literature, especially for female writers. She planted many seeds. She knew how to give that extra push needed.

I became a poet, columnist, and moderator of discussion groups thanks to her push: gratitude! I met many incredible people through the light that is Marina.

Oh, my friend, sister in literature… how I miss you. But I know Marina is much better, flying free and in peace. 🌟🕊🤍

26/04/2026

 Written: April 27, 2026

Photo: Personal files

A Ride in a Taxi…

 

There are times when I take a cab in SP, I listen to several noteworthy and peculiar stories. There are those drivers that do not enjoy chatting, meanwhile others pour their hearts out about family, events, funny or sad situations, and other passengers. I particularly enjoy these chats. It seems like the trip is shorter than when it is total silence.

Yesterday, my usual driver forgot we had scheduled a run; therefore, I needed to call another driver. It would be an 18-minute drive to where I was going. We greeted each other and he started mentioning some of his pick-ups.

He mentioned that once he picked up a client who wanted to be driven to and from the international airport, which would mean a longer drive depending on traffic. As he was driving there, the passenger told him that he was going to send his dead uncle to Italy. It seemed like he had to go there and sign the dispatch papers.

 Since the driver did not know the passenger, he said he would accompany him inside the airport. This driver had lost money several times prior to this event when people asked him to wait and then disappeared. He mentioned one time when he drove a woman to a bank and she asked him to wait while she went inside to withdraw the cash to pay him. He waited and waited, but she left the bank through another door, and he just ended up losing all the money and time.

Back to the airport. He said they went into the airport and followed the passenger to the basement. The driver had never been in the basement and didn´t even imagine it existed. The basement had a section for the Federal Police, the Civil Police, and the airport administration. To get into the area, they took his picture and checked documentation.

However, where were they going?

The air was extremely cold, and he wished he had brought a jacket. The passenger asked him if he had a problem with corpses. He shook his head. Ahead of them was a large cold room within it, many coffins lined up and waiting to be picked up or shipped off. The person in charge rolled his uncle´s caste to them, opened it up and checked the body front and back for drugs or other objects that could be transported in a dead body.

After signing the paperwork, they placed the casket in an iron box, labeled it and off they were. The box would be on its way later that week to Italy and the family there would pick it up and conduct the burial service. A very profitable ride indeed, both in money and information.

 

Written: April 14, 2026

Google Images

 

Lost in Comprehension

 

Have you ever had a fight over written texts? Have you ever been under the impression that the person answering you did not read what you wrote? You might have misspelled a word or used the wrong word, which really wasn't that much of a mistake because you do speak other languages and the people you texted also do.

These days this seems to be happening quite often. It may be due to multifunctional minds. Another reason could be absent minds. Studies have shown that the brain is affected due to some of the illnesses that are around nowadays. Vaccines are remarkably successful in helping you avoid catching these diseases. Nonetheless there are people who cannot take vaccines because of how magically wonderful their bodies have been created. I speak from experience (not allowed to be vaccinated).

Usually when I misunderstand a text, I prefer to act like the looney one who is getting the messages mixed up. Being at peace is much better than being correct newest model for 2026.

Written: May 20, 2026

Photo: Google Images

Stop Fighting

 

 The other day I asked two students to stop fighting. It sounded like a fight to tool the harsh words and name calling even though they said it was just a talk. Young people nowadays have the weirdest way of communicating. It seems to be like that all around the globe. I said “Stop fighting! There are already enough wars going on in the world.” The statement just opened a door for an array of questions about the wars going on. Questions that could be answered by reading a newspaper. Hold on! Do young people even do that nowadays? They can follow special journalists on social media, podcasts, panels of discussion online but newspapers?!?

 There is a variety of ways to get information about what's happening around the world, I realize that. This makes me reflect on another question: do young people avoid the news to protect their mental health? To protect their hearts from the sadness caused by knowing all the dirt going on around the globe? I think I'll ask them next time.

Written May 20, 2026.

PS I did ask one of my classes a few days later and the ones that said that they read online newspapers were the ones they were going to study economy or business administration. However, that was two out of fourteen, so it makes you wonder.

 

Photo: Google Images

Life has a funny way…

 

Have you ever wondered why life is sarcastic? When you are doing ok in all areas, it sneaks up on you and removes you from your comfort zone. Is that sarcasm or irony? Or is it just life being a bitch. I had a friend who used to say “Life´s a bitch and then you die,” unfortunately she died at an early age. Perhaps it was premonition.

Last week I had to see my dentist because I thought I had lost one of my teeth fillings. The horror on her face when she realized emergency surgery was needed. My fillings were not coming loose; my teeth were falling out. One was almost all the way out that my upper gum receded so much that to find a spot to connect the stitches to was not an easy task. Now I will go in for another surgery in a couple of weeks. Meanwhile I cannot eat solids, just liquid or mashed food. Go figure, now the weight is coming off naturally with no effort. Life oh life…

My mom and youngest sister and her family came down with a cold/ flu/ whatever it is nowadays, so I kept myself far away from them, but missed them terribly. I couldn´t afford to catch a cold due to some international oral exams (speaking) I needed to give. However, the students at school have forgotten everything they learned about sneezing and coughing in class (mind you I teach high school juniors and seniors) and, you guessed it, I caught a cold. My throat starting aching the night after the exams were over and now, I have to wear a mask to school so that I do not contaminate others. I certainly have learned my lesson during the pandemic. If you have a cold or flu, wear a mask. Keep a distance, wash your hands, cover your mouth when coughing and sneeze on your elbows. Life has a funny way…

Then you discover that two exceedingly kind friends are fighting for their lives out of the blue.

Yes, life has a funny funny way…

 

Written: May 10,2026 

Made using canva

Hard to Keep My New Year´s Resolution

 

 

Every December 31^st I make a compact list, (used to make a long one but noticed that it was almost impossible to do everything on that list), of goals to reach each year. This past year was not any different.

 Always at the top of my list was to start a diet and lose weight. I learned to stop putting that at the top many years ago. Now I just choose to try to be as healthy as I can and accept the body that was given to me. At most, it rids me of frustration and failure.

Making a list of things I can and have control over has made me a more relaxed person. Getting rid of stress is always on my list. Reading more is a way that I reduce stress therefore I have been doing that increasingly. Apparently, my addiction to buying more books has also increased. It doesn´t frustrate me though, it gives me immense pleasure.

I have reduced expenses by not driving in this hectic city. In the end the math works out, and I get to know so many interesting drivers. Stories which are so vastly different from my own. Always giving me ideas to write about.

Yes, so many ideas to write about…

Now we have reached the point of my failed resolution. I had planned to write and post 2 or 3 articles here on my blog. I haven´t been able to do so with such ease. I blame it on lack of planning and too much free time on my hands. Yes, you have read it correctly, too much free time. I have cut back on my work hours, and my schedule is well put together at work. I have two days off and two whole afternoons. I only teach 19 hours a week. I get home thinking of all the activities I will accomplish, but then decide to take a short nap, and instead of pumping me up, recharging my energy, I sleep longer than I intended and then just procrastinate. At other times, I play an interesting but time-consuming game on my cell phone. I became addicted to it at the end of the year and now I am like a prisoner. Because of this, I am starting to understand what goes on with the young generation. It has awakened a monster inside of me that can spend hours just itching to win at each level and overcoming the difficulties. In the end, there isn´t a prize and I get frustrated for having spent so much time playing. Then I start convincing myself that it is good for the brain (which is a fact). Where does all this soothing self-talk come from? While I enjoy it,  I  also feel that I need to punish myself for wasting time. Wasting time is a bit too harsh. I will change it to spending my time.

Hopefully I will be able to keep this resolution of writing and posting going.

Written: March 13, 2026, while my 3^rd year HS students take a reading comprehension test. 😊

Google Images

 

 

New Year´s Eve

 

30 minutes until midnight December 31^st- once, twice the elevator is full and only the third one will take us to the ground floor so we can go to the beach to welcome the new year with music, hugs, and fireworks.

Before the 10-second countdown, the crowd of thousands start to sing a popular Brazilian song “Viver e não ter a vergonha de ser Feliz… (live and not be ashamed of living). Goosebumps, chills, watery eyes. Life is beautiful!

Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one!  Happy New Year!

14-minute firework display

A bit quieter than in previous years so as not to frighten animals, the elderly and those sensitive to noise.

Hugs, champagne, kisses, tears, pictures; all good!

Head back to the building to continue where we stopped, with hearts filled with joy and hope that 2026 will be better!

Written: January 4th, 2026

Picture: Meire Marion the morning after January , 2026

Picture: Meire Marion ( at the hotel)

Happy 2026!

 

Photo: Google Images

Hope the new year has brought you much joy so far.

Last year I decided to post at least twice on the blog, and it worked out well, therefore I will give it a try. This year I will repeat the idea. If I post more than twice, it´ll be awesome.

I would like to thank each and everyone of you who have taken a minute (or two) to read these words on the screen.

Thank you! I really do appreciate you!