What you write speaks so much to the reasons why many move to Portugal and the fact that it is not enough to just start over in a new place. We must still grapple with how to live better and be better no matter where we end up. Thank you for your writing.
I was just thinking OMG THIS! knowing I will read this more carefully in the morning with care, and heart, and more tears. Because what you write resonates so powerfully. Then my eyes glanced to the post script (" I’m more invested in thinking and writing and wondering about life itself.") and I must tell you that I treasure your writing about real things, difficult things, beautiful things. And I have lived here almost 2 years. Keep me subscribed, please.
Thank you, LaDonna. Approaching my 6th anniversary as an American transplant in Portugal, I find your writing often reflects my experiences. And just as often, it spurs new thoughts about different ways to see myself and the world. Why else do we read, if not to accquire new ideas and to expand our world views?
Fantastic quote!! "I’m interested in interrogating the ways in which living outside of the USA changes my understanding of what it means to be an American." So true - especially now. Thank you for writing.
I think the unsubscribes want to run away to Portugal like we all do, and that alone will solve the problems we are running away from, being "indifferent" time zones away
Once again, your words are just what I needed. "Hope with teeth." I woke up thinking, in this day of photo dumps, so many pretty, pretty pictures, so vapid and too easy to take. I crave - substance. Hope with teeth to balance out the (your perfect words - "hovering despair"). "Hope with teeth." Today, in this time, our now, I woke up thinking - a few words are worth one thousand pretty pictures. (I'm not going anywhere LaDonna. Where you go - I follow. Thank you for the good eats. Hope with teeth. I'm in...
I greatly appreciate both the fluffy and the fundamental. Your post script is so deeply appreciated. I have returned to the US after living in Portugal, and intending to stay indefinitely, and the “re-entry” has been extremely difficult. And the election cycle is truly hurting my soul!
I've been following you close to 3 years, at first because of your move to Portugal. I am Portuguese from South African, who was moving over just over 2 years ago, and was/am fascinated by people like yourself, who come over and make it work! I have stayed, continued following you, because I absolutely love your writing style and your musings. Keep on keeping on LaDonna.
My despair is actually grief, an engaged grief that encompasses love and compassion. Grief moves closer to despair when I cannot find solace for the grief. And then I return to this: The only remedy for love is more love. And love is only love when it is converted to action.
Regarding your Postscript...I believe it is their loss ;-(
My favorite line from one of my fav movies, Shawshank Redemption, Andy Says to Red “Remember, Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.”
I hope I can still find ways to believe that ;-). Reading your writings gives me hope LaDonna (virtual hug)
I love your words, your writing style and your authenticity. I still have one foot in Portugal/Europe and one foot in the US. Hoping this will not always be the case, because I'm finding it more exhausting. I'm not following any other Portuguese expats -- only you because your words always make me think and reassure me that I am not alone in my thoughts and questions. I've always considered myself a very global person. I've been pondering what that exactly means and trying to find some balance between moments of despair, empathy, reality and hope.
Oh dear lord PLEASE keep writing about the kind of things that make you think, worry, feel and get angry. You are a master of reaching deep inside and pulling out the thread of thought that connects us but is probably unspoken. I am grateful that you write and that I read!
How timely to read this. This morning I visited a show of some late work of Louise Bourgeois at the museum of the novecento in Florence where I am visiting my former teacher who has been an expat here for 50 years (a different story). One sculpture in this show seemed to embody this idea of " hope with teeth" (sadly cannot discover how to post a picture). It was a block with many breasts in it. Out of the underside of the block, a blade like a pocket knife partially opened. Very shiny blade, about 2' long. Why your essay immediately made me remember this sculpture I cannot put into words, but it did. Thank you for your always passionately engaged writing. Best wishes for a productive school year for both you and filha.
What you write speaks so much to the reasons why many move to Portugal and the fact that it is not enough to just start over in a new place. We must still grapple with how to live better and be better no matter where we end up. Thank you for your writing.
Exactly, Christine. Thank you for reading!!
I was just thinking OMG THIS! knowing I will read this more carefully in the morning with care, and heart, and more tears. Because what you write resonates so powerfully. Then my eyes glanced to the post script (" I’m more invested in thinking and writing and wondering about life itself.") and I must tell you that I treasure your writing about real things, difficult things, beautiful things. And I have lived here almost 2 years. Keep me subscribed, please.
Thanks so much, Penelope!
Thank you, LaDonna. Approaching my 6th anniversary as an American transplant in Portugal, I find your writing often reflects my experiences. And just as often, it spurs new thoughts about different ways to see myself and the world. Why else do we read, if not to accquire new ideas and to expand our world views?
This is why I read, too. Thanks, Susan.
I savor your writing. I’m an American living in Portugal; you put my thoughts into words.
Thank you for this. I appreciate you and your writing. Taking care of each other is the way.
This is brilliant and inspires a jaw-clenched urge to stand up
Fantastic quote!! "I’m interested in interrogating the ways in which living outside of the USA changes my understanding of what it means to be an American." So true - especially now. Thank you for writing.
I think the unsubscribes want to run away to Portugal like we all do, and that alone will solve the problems we are running away from, being "indifferent" time zones away
Once again, your words are just what I needed. "Hope with teeth." I woke up thinking, in this day of photo dumps, so many pretty, pretty pictures, so vapid and too easy to take. I crave - substance. Hope with teeth to balance out the (your perfect words - "hovering despair"). "Hope with teeth." Today, in this time, our now, I woke up thinking - a few words are worth one thousand pretty pictures. (I'm not going anywhere LaDonna. Where you go - I follow. Thank you for the good eats. Hope with teeth. I'm in...
I greatly appreciate both the fluffy and the fundamental. Your post script is so deeply appreciated. I have returned to the US after living in Portugal, and intending to stay indefinitely, and the “re-entry” has been extremely difficult. And the election cycle is truly hurting my soul!
I've been following you close to 3 years, at first because of your move to Portugal. I am Portuguese from South African, who was moving over just over 2 years ago, and was/am fascinated by people like yourself, who come over and make it work! I have stayed, continued following you, because I absolutely love your writing style and your musings. Keep on keeping on LaDonna.
Gena, your comment made my day. Thank you so much for writing and even more so for reading along with me all this time.
Thank you for writing real.
My despair is actually grief, an engaged grief that encompasses love and compassion. Grief moves closer to despair when I cannot find solace for the grief. And then I return to this: The only remedy for love is more love. And love is only love when it is converted to action.
Regarding your Postscript...I believe it is their loss ;-(
My favorite line from one of my fav movies, Shawshank Redemption, Andy Says to Red “Remember, Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.”
I hope I can still find ways to believe that ;-). Reading your writings gives me hope LaDonna (virtual hug)
I love your words, your writing style and your authenticity. I still have one foot in Portugal/Europe and one foot in the US. Hoping this will not always be the case, because I'm finding it more exhausting. I'm not following any other Portuguese expats -- only you because your words always make me think and reassure me that I am not alone in my thoughts and questions. I've always considered myself a very global person. I've been pondering what that exactly means and trying to find some balance between moments of despair, empathy, reality and hope.
High praise, Joseph. Thank you so much.
Oh dear lord PLEASE keep writing about the kind of things that make you think, worry, feel and get angry. You are a master of reaching deep inside and pulling out the thread of thought that connects us but is probably unspoken. I am grateful that you write and that I read!
Hah! Thank you Eva!
How timely to read this. This morning I visited a show of some late work of Louise Bourgeois at the museum of the novecento in Florence where I am visiting my former teacher who has been an expat here for 50 years (a different story). One sculpture in this show seemed to embody this idea of " hope with teeth" (sadly cannot discover how to post a picture). It was a block with many breasts in it. Out of the underside of the block, a blade like a pocket knife partially opened. Very shiny blade, about 2' long. Why your essay immediately made me remember this sculpture I cannot put into words, but it did. Thank you for your always passionately engaged writing. Best wishes for a productive school year for both you and filha.
I love the sound of this sculpture!! Was it this one: https://levygorvy.com/works/louise-bourgeois-5/ ?