11 Comments
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Christine Witkowski's avatar

Two of my small pleasures are my scooter and the Portugese countryside ! I love zooming through the hills of central Portugal with gorgeous views on all sides. No traffic lights, no giant pickup trucks, no traffic jams...I am so grateful for this chance at a different kind of life.

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LaDonna Witmer's avatar

Ah yes! I love this! Scooter zooming through the countryside is glorious.

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Colleen's avatar

Thank you for being a bright point for me today. PLEASE develop an online writing workshop. I started writing again, am in a writer's group and it is like I am reaquainting myself with a long-lost friend. I would love to explore writing with your guidance online. All my very best to you and yours (and your recovering house!)

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Pete's avatar

Thank you for this insightful escape. Much appreciated.

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Yoav M's avatar

Your piece showed up as a recommendation in my Facebook feed and I clicked. I'm so glad I did. You write beautifully. I enjoyed reading this so much and it was very much what I needed to read this morning. Thank you!

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LaDonna Witmer's avatar

I'm so glad you clicked too. Thanks for reading and for telling me you liked what you read!

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Greg's avatar

Martinho did a number on our greenhouse, blowing the plastic off of about 1/2 of it. Reminded me of our days in Miami and the annual hurricane dodge. But, like you said, it's the little things. Our loquat trees are going crazy and spring flowers are everywhere in our fields. Life is good.

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Ken Bailey's avatar

While I would love to live in Portugal or France (especially now - politics) those options were not realistic for me and my wife. Until last fall we lived by Seattle, but are now living in Hollister, CA. I had never heard of a Loquat tree until my wife recently decided we are getting one in our new garden. Gardening does bring a bit of sanity to this world. I enjoy your writing and look forward to reading your book.

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Mary's avatar

I'm so glad to hear you are happy and enjoying life. Your garden is just beautiful. It looks like spring has definately sprung in Portugal. The mention of Salted Books made me long for that fun/serious bookstore. Keep being you and keep writing for us all.

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Molly E's avatar

LaDonna - I am taking note of your writing workshops - will be taking one in person once we arrive after July!

Daily bursts of joy comes from some of my ESL students when they master reading or ace their spelling tests. Last week, a second grade boy could not stop jumping upon hearing he got 100!. This memory makes me smile and keeps me going. Also first cup of coffee in the AM.

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glen's avatar

Thanks so much for sharing! I would love to attend the workshop, but I return from the US that morning, and I suspect I will be snoring much of the day ;-) I hope to catch the next one!! Meeting you is a huge plus!!

Oh, and as usual you made me cry (just a little this time)...I LOVE your yard and am pleased the tree issues were quickly resolved (we still have huge chunks of giant oaks all over Parque Principe Real, really ugly storm). Stay well, yeah?

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