Volume 2; Issue 7; April 2026

Hola!

Do you ever feel like somebody's watching you? I do. This past month, I've been watched, mostly through online, virtual and in-person events. I admit it's mostly of my own making and a bit intimidating. But then there's the new reality of being watched, like my Alexa app waiting to be summoned, scam e-mails that know too much, something popping up on social media related to a recent conversation, or an AI suggesting proposed language at the beginning of my search. This got me thinking. Do I still have control of my private thoughts? I hope so and thus, the reason I write. After all, thoughts are humanity's last remaining freedom, as confirmed by true accounts of imprisonment. But then there are times that being watched can be an opportunity to help others, like when children watch their parents. What I've come to learn is allowing others to watch me can be important work, and it has rewards and consequences. So if you choose to share your thoughts, inevitably some will disagree, but that's okay. But for those that rather watch others, remember to lean in towards kindness as you never know who's watching you.

For more about my experience of being watched, read Bodega News, along with meeting some talented authors I watched: Other Magical Tales. My Spanish word for this month is Presentá, because she's always watching.

Bodega News

• Book Events: I loved being watched at BookCon and so grateful to the all the readers that stopped by my table. My next stop is Bucks County BookFest.

• BBT Short Story Podcast: My tales are being watched... I mean listened to lol! I'm almost at 100 downloads; help me get to 200 downloads! Each episode is an original tale inspired by the gossip I heard in bodegas, those times I visited the botánica and the cultural myths and folklore that shaped me. Although many of the tales are rooted in Latinx culture, you don't need to share that heritage. If you enjoy listening to stories about traditions, legends or superstitions that make you uneasy, curious, or totally confused, this folklore story podcast is for you. Listen on Apple, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform by clicking below. If you like any of the tales, leave a rating or review; it helps spread the stories.

Spanish Word Translation: Presentá: Someone who's nosy or always meddling, like watching you from afar. When I was a kid, I often heard my Tias y Tios say, "¡Que Presenta!", which was not a compliment, since it meant that neighbor, friend, or family member had overstepped with their questions. Fast forward to my twenties and it felt like I was always being asked, "Do you have a boyfriend?" or "When will you get married?" It was exhausting having all these eyes on me. The truth is that the stress I was feeling was self-imposed, although many in my culture got married much younger. In the end, my aunts and uncles were just making small talk, since they didn't know what else to ask a twenty-something. Thank goodness the culture has shifted, and now we can ask "What career will you choose?" and "Where will you live?" but I can't help thinking that it's the same pressures, just different questions. So if you've ever been accused of being a Presentá or Presentao, be rest assured that maybe it isn't you.

Until next month...Stay tuned Brujas!

Other Magical Tales: