Summer parading

Here we have summer, always parading with the same cadence. It's almost halfway through its march, and today marks the first full month. We're talking about the month of July and its thirty-first day, the day many dislike, because, as we all say, a month has thirty days, those who live off their monthly salary consider this day unloved, as it's not valued in their pay. As a cardinal number, it's also unpopular, because if a division has to be made, it's not settled into the correct numbers, with the person acting as the divisor. Thirty-one, as a noun, besides being the name of a game of entertainment, also serves to designate a difficult-to-resolve embarrassment, as well as a dispute where disagreement gives rise to the law of the strongest. We're already at a time when the days are shortening in their solar period; anyone like me who gets out of bed at six in the morning notices this, as they can clearly see how long it takes for the sun to rise. But since it's still hot during the day, I take advantage of the warmer afternoon temperatures to indulge in air conditioning. It may not be very healthy, but I forgive it for the harm it may cause me for the pleasure it gives me. The afternoons are also shorter, as I can see from the work shifts that are scheduled, where I see the sun already closer to sunset. Of course, I also know what those who read me think. I'm not saying anything new; this has been the case all my life and will continue to be, as nothing new has been discovered or even invented. However, I must emphasize that this is a reality, which occurs daily.

We are at the end of an era that, from a social perspective, clearly characterizes the lives of the Portuguese population, as well as the European population. We are entering a time of change in almost every sector of society . We are beginning a new era in education, where, in addition to the advancement of some, there are those beginning their academic careers and those leaving for the job market. Simultaneously, this same activity is experiencing the movement of teachers who, for whatever reason, have to leave their educational institutions. The new judicial year brings us other protagonists, particularly at the local level, where there is a greater turnover in the positions assigned to decision-making powers over those who remain there due to legal disagreements.

In my opinion, the greatest popular enthusiasm will be felt during the football season, which begins around this time of year. Because it's quite long, it's always in constant turmoil in the various league tables. Club-mania displaces many fans and pits the different colors against each other, with no consensus ever reached. Here, there's only one certainty: whoever scores the most goals wins. Another passion that's also taking off here is hunting, which, although in decline, also drives many gun enthusiasts to the more unpopulated areas that are most suitable for hunting. It's also a time for those who farm the land to do their annual accounts and see if their income has covered their expenses, as the harvests are already showing signs of production, and some have already. Change is evident everywhere, even fashion is showcasing its best styles for the coming season, which here is called fall/winter. This is my vision of the coming season. Nothing strange about the calendar, as everything will continue to be as before, unless climate change worsens life in the world we live in. Science is aware, so I think the worst can be avoided, although for my life expectancy, which is not long, everything will remain as it is.

I wish you all a good August, and if you're on vacation, even better. I'll be here on the twenty-eighth of that month. Until then, stay healthy!