Reading Time: 7 minutes

It was another busy week on the blog.

Some posts looked back at childhood memories, while others wandered into philosophy, history, books, and life here in Brazil. That’s one of the things I enjoy most about writing. I never really know where the next idea is going to come from.

This week we talked about everything from the street economy in Rio and the Apollo 11 Moon landing to free will, favorite coffee mugs, and why blogging introduces us to people we probably never would have met otherwise.

If you missed anything, here’s a quick recap of the week.

This Week on BeingKevin

📅 July 26 – August 1

14 New Posts Featuring:

📚 History
🇧🇷 Life in Brazil
📖 Book Reviews
☕ Personal Stories
💭 Daily Writing Prompts
🎬 Weekend Entertainment Picks

The Weekly Blog Posts From BeingKevin

July 26 – What’s Your Biggest Dream?

Opening: Do you have a “giant chicken and a squirrel” dream, or are you focused on the day-to-day?

Summary: I reflect on the idea of chasing dreams, admitting that I’ve never been much of a dreamer in the traditional sense. For me, life has always been about doing what needed to be done from day to day, and I’ve found contentment in that simple, everyday purpose.

Read the full post here:
https://beingkevin.com/2026/07/26/daily-writing-prompt-26-jul-whats-your-biggest-dream/

July 27 – The Hardest Goodbye: A Tragic (Coffee) Accident

Opening: It was all my fault—I looked away for just a second, and then I heard the “splat.”

Summary: In this humorous but “heartbreaking” confession, I recount the tragic demise of my favorite Seinfeld coffee mug. It’s a satirical look at how losing a small, everyday item can sometimes hurt more than we’re willing to admit.

Read the full post here:
https://beingkevin.com/2026/07/27/the-hardest-goodbye/

July 27 – Rewriting the Endings: A Prompt Revisited

Opening: If you had the power to change the final page of your favorite book, would you do it?

Summary: I take a second look at a familiar prompt about book endings, reflecting on how our perspective on stories changes over time. It’s a brief moment to consider why some endings stick with us and why others leave us wanting to pick up the pen ourselves.

Read the full post here:
https://beingkevin.com/2026/07/27/daily-writing-prompt-27-jul-if-you-could-rewrite-any-books-ending-which-one-would-you-choose/

July 28 – Song Lyrics: The Echoes of “Fortunate Son”

Opening: What is that one song lyric that has burrowed its way into your brain and never left?

Summary: I point back to a piece of music that significantly changed how I see the world: CCR’s Fortunate Son. Some lyrics are more than just music; they become historical markers that shape our understanding of fairness and society.

Read the full post here:
https://beingkevin.com/2026/07/28/daily-writing-prompt-28-jul-whats-a-song-lyric-that-has-stuck-with-you-forever/

July 28 – Rio’s Sidewalk Entrepreneurs: The Street Economy

Opening: You haven’t lived until you’ve bought a grilled cheese on a stick directly from a guy on the beach.

Summary: I explore the vibrant street economy of Rio, from glass-enclosed carts filled with delicious cakes to corner stands that sell everything from soccer balls to keys. It is a testament to human ingenuity and a part of city life that is rarely seen in the U.S. anymore.

Read the full post here:
https://beingkevin.com/2026/07/28/rios-sidewalk-entrepreneurs/

July 29 – One of the Most Unique Things About Blogging

Opening: Blogging quietly brings together people who would likely never meet in the physical world.

Summary: I reflect on how a simple post can start a conversation with someone thousands of miles away. I also share my own journey from Massachusetts to Rio, inviting the community to share the roads that led them to where they are today.

Read the full post here:
https://beingkevin.com/2026/07/29/one-of-the-most-unique-things-about-blogging-what-is-your-story/

July 29 – Home Decoration Style: A Married Man’s Guide

Opening: My decorating contribution is complete if I remember not to leave my coffee mug on the new table.

Summary: In a lighthearted look at interior design, I admit that my wife is the boss of home décor. My role is simple: quality control—if I can take a nap in the chair and get back up without needing a paramedic, it passes inspection.

Read the full post here:
https://beingkevin.com/2026/07/29/daily-writing-prompt-29-jul-whats-your-home-decoration-style/

July 30 – Do You Think Everything Happens for a Reason?

Opening: Is our future already written, or are we the ones holding the pen?

Summary: I dive into the philosophical debate of predestination versus free will, arguing that things happen because of cause, effect, and the choices we make. Meaning isn’t built into the event; it’s something we create in our response.

Read the full post here:
https://beingkevin.com/2026/07/30/daily-writing-prompt-30-jul-do-you-think-everything-happens-for-a-reason/

July 30 – Last Week in History: Apollo 11 and Human Ambition

Opening: History is more than just a collection of dates; it is a record of our greatest breakthroughs and our deepest failures.

Summary: A deep dive into the week of July 20–26, featuring the Apollo 11 Moon landing, the exposure of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, and the birth of the world’s first IVF baby. History reminds us that progress without ethics can come at a terrible cost.

Read the full post here:
https://beingkevin.com/2026/07/30/last-week-in-history-apollo-11-medical-breakthroughs-and-world-changing-events/

July 30 – ReBlog: What Does It Take to Be a “Real Man?”

Opening: Are we exalting Neanderthals, or are we striving for something better?

Summary: I share an outstanding piece by Dr. John Persico Jr. that explores historical examples of masculinity and why we should be concerned about modern trends. It’s a thoughtful read for anyone interested in cultural commentary.

Read the full post here:
https://beingkevin.com/2026/07/30/reblog-what-does-it-take-to-be-a-real-man-why-are-we-exalting-neanderthals/

July 31 – Fictional Characters: A Mix of Kramer and Chandler

Opening: My wife says I’m like the Tasmanian Devil because I do everything too fast and knock things over.

Summary: I explore which fictional characters I relate to most, landing on a mix of Kramer’s unfiltered honesty and Chandler Bing’s sarcastic wit. Ultimately, I wonder if fictional characters are simply reflections of what humans do when we’re honest—or tired of pretending.

Read the full post here:
https://beingkevin.com/2026/07/31/daily-writing-prompt-31-jul-who-is-the-fictional-character-you-relate-to-the-most/

July 31 – Weekend Picks: Spy Thrillers and Streaming Favorites

Opening: Before you settle into the couch, here’s a snapshot of what’s worth your time this weekend.

Summary: A roundup of Netflix’s Top 10 in the U.S. and Brazil, plus a five-star review of Ken Follett’s classic spy thriller Eye of the Needle. If you enjoy high-stakes espionage and relentless pacing, this is your weekend recommendation.

Read the full post here:
https://beingkevin.com/2026/07/31/what-to-watch-read-this-weekend/

August 1 – What Really Is a “Basic” Skill?

Opening: I can use a circular saw with ease, but put me on the Rio Metro alone and I’m completely lost.

Summary: I discuss how “basic” skills are often defined by our environment and experience rather than logic. What is second nature to one person may be completely foreign to someone else.

Read the full post here:
https://beingkevin.com/2026/08/01/daily-writing-prompt-1-aug-whats-a-skill-you-consider-basic-that-most-people-dont-actually-know-how-to-do/

August 1 – Hot Dogs, Fire Alarms, and Hard Work

Opening: My grandmother’s purse always smelled slightly of cold hot dogs.

Summary: I share a funny childhood memory of pulling a fire alarm at a meat-packing plant, which leads to a deeper reflection on my grandparents’ work ethic and the quiet sacrifices they made to support our family. It became one of those stories I appreciate much more as an adult than I ever did as a child.

Read the full post here:
https://beingkevin.com/2026/08/01/essem-hot-dogs-grandparents-memories/

Thanks for Reading!

Whether we were laughing over my decorating skills, debating free will, exploring the streets of Rio, revisiting history, or remembering the people who shaped our lives, I appreciate you spending part of your week here on BeingKevin.

If you’re new to the blog, I hope you’ll stick around. If you’ve been here for a while, thank you for continuing the conversation. Every comment, like, and discussion makes this community better.

I’ll be back next week with more stories, history, book reviews, observations from Brazil, and probably a few unexpected rabbit trails along the way.

Until then, stay curious, keep reading, and enjoy the week ahead.

If you’d like to help keep BeingKevin dispatching from Brazil, you can always Buy Me a Coffee & Pão de Queijo.

Thanks for reading BeingKevin.

In a world built on scrolling past everything in seconds, I genuinely appreciate you stopping here for a moment. If the post gave you something to think about, made you laugh, or even made you disagree, I’d love to hear from you in the comments. A quick rating helps, too, and goes a long way toward supporting the site. And if you’d like to help keep BeingKevin going, a small tip is always appreciated — never expected, but deeply valued. Thanks again for being here

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Weekly Recap: Brazil Life, History, Free Will, & Top Blog Picks

This Week on BeingKevin

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