Carol, please do as I do and reserve the right to laugh as the consequences to those who voted for Trump suddenly hit them: farmers without workers, Red State people without Medicaid, people like my son-in-law, who, like his parents and his wife's mother, who now faces losing his government job. There will be consequences. Also, remember that this country was founded as a result of a revolution against a tyrant. It can happen again. Democracy will be restored. Hope to see you soon in Portugal. Cheers!
So many wonderful comments that certainly echo what many are feeling, including us. Thank you for sharing the media links. Along with many others, I have worked hard to streamline my media feeds and you provided a few extra options that I was not aware of. Hope to see you in April.
Please do not feel guilt. I admire your decision and persistence in making it happen.
It is rough here as the new is filled daily with new affronts to our way of life. I just talked to a young woman today; she is going ahead with some elective female surgery before (in her word) “The government makes the decision for me.”Today news is the approval of RFK to Health and Human suffering. Don’t even get me started.
ENJOY YOUR LIFE IN BEAUTIFUL PORTUGAL. Again, I feel only admiration for you and Paul.
MA
Your reading list is quite similar to ours. Heather is a national treasure, and we need her more than ever.
Carol, please don’t feel guilty for getting out. No more than anyone who saw what was coming in Germany or Italy in the 1930’s and left.
I expected bad and out of control with a second Trump term, but it’s so much worse than I anticipated. The entire power of the government seems to be invested in one drug-fueled manic billionaire tech bro who sends his minions into assorted government agencies to download all their data and move funds out of their accounts into—well, no one knows where. And he’s not telling.
And now the administration says it will not be stopped by anything as petty as any court making a ruling against them. I don’t see the chaos ending anytime soon, but I’m pretty sure by the time it’s done, America as we know it will have ceased to exist. I think that may have already happened, to be honest.
Nothing surprises me anymore. A small part of me will always feel guilty. I will try my best to stay focused and strong. I hope you will try to do the same. -CW
The Buddha says life is impermanent, so, like you, I am hoping that this will pass. Another Substack writer I follow is Jeff Tiedrich's "everyone is entitled to my own opinion". He writes in an absurdist/gonzo style a la Hunter S. Thompson about the absurd and stupid things going on in the U.S.
Hi Carol, empathise with you regarding USA but as you have said positively “and this too shall pass” enjoy what you can control. Love and best wishes. Leigh & Joy xx
Perfectly stated. It's hard to be here in RI right now too. We feel a little bit insulated from some of the crazy, but no all. And we may need to accelerate our timeline to go to Portugal - originally set for 2027 when our son would be done with HS and ready for university in Europe. sigh. It is maddening and heartbreaking all at once. Stay sane. You be you. Much appreciated.
So much this. My wife and I moved to Portugal two years ago and it’s been awesome. We do sometimes self-censor our social media posts because we don’t want to seem insensitive. We are hyper aware of how fortunate we are and we have constant anxiety about our six adult kids having to navigate life in the United States at this perilous time. Trying to balance staying informed while not succumbing to constant doom-scrolling is a tricky enterprise.
Your post reminds me of a book by Erma Bombeck (how’s that name for a blast from the past) titled If Life Is a Bowl of Cherries Why Am I Always in the Pits?
Carol, my friend and fellow Substack writer, I am just waking up in the US to all the comments from your heartfelt post. I will still be writing about the great glass of wine and that picturesque vineyard vista even while deeply concerned about our country and its future of being run by self-serving Oligarchs- your rotten cherries. I too have been weaning off watching too much news and feeling guilty about joy in my life. Heather Cox Richardson is such a strong voice for us in Letters From an American, and I pray for her continuing vigilance. Hers is one news source I read daily. Let’s collectively stay strong and focus on brings great stories, interviews, and legends to our supportive readers. T
Thanks for your comment, Tricia. I enjoy reading your posts about wine and travel! I’m happy that you’re continuing to write - it brings a sense of normalcy to an otherwise crazy world! - CW
What you're feeling, and what we are feeling, wrestling to decode. The confusion, frustration, embarrasment, even anger. You've been a voice of reason for us, and we need you all the more now.
Yes, THIS. I am also feeling a bit guilty, sitting here in safety, watching things fall apart for my friends in the US. Even for my non-friends, who don't realize what they voted for. I am working towards finding some sort of balance -- concern for what's going on, support for those in the States, and still bring the spirit of living abroad to people. I didn't move here for political reasons and maybe a month or so ago I would have told people, "Don't move to Portugal to escape the US; move because you want to live in Portugal." Now? I personally know of a BILLIONAIRE who is afraid of being targeted by the administration and is looking to live in Europe. Imagine how people with relatively little money or power are feeling. I'm not going to tell anyone who feels the need to get out of the States to stay put. If my experience can help them, then at least I'll have done something.
Carol, thank you so much for writing this. I’m sure there is a felling of guilt, but there shouldn’t be. As someone who is still here in the US, I can tell you that your writing is a respite from the chaos of the fire hose flooding here. I had planned years ago to retire in Europe, and about 7 years ago had decided on Portugal. A long time line, but one I kept in sight. I am now less than a year from retirement. As a federal employee, I may be closer than I think!! In any case, moving has been my goal for years. Recent events just cement that resolve. I would be moving regardless of who is in the White House, but I would certainly prefer it was a sane, law abiding person, not a convicted felon with no moral compass. Sigh~ Anyway, your writing gives me hope for what’s to come, something to cling to that reminds me life can be different and enjoyable in a new country. It’s scary to leave everything you know, but hearing from people who have done it and are living happy lives makes it feel more possible. So keep writing about your wonderful, sometimes rotten bits, life in Portugal. And I pray that within 18 months we will meet when I move there.
Carol, thanks for writing this and most of your feelings are shared by this fellow Portugal residing Yank. I will say that feeling guilt is useless - it doesn't help those in the US about whom you worry and it only makes you feel bad with no productive result. We all make choices in our lives that are best for us, and as adults, we have to live with the repercussions of those choices - good and bad. The political/cultural situation in the US is mystifying and terrifying and I'm so so happy and GRATEFUL to be away from it directly. I hope with all my heart that "this too shall pass" but I'm not very optimistic. I choose not to talk about it very much with family/friends because I'm out and they're not, by choice, but not out a sense of guilt, but just because it serves no real purpose. My mental health definitely benefits from the distance.
Count me in with many of the same feelings of sadness, anger. I’m trying to keep it in perspective and focus mostly on how moving to Portugal has changed me —better able to deal with rotten cherries—on most days. Thank you, it is good of you to share.
Hello Carol,
Adding to the reading list - American Economist and Nobel Prize Winner Paul Krugman is now on Substack.
We just signed a lease in Lisbon and hope to move in July. Although such a move comes with some trepidation, I am now all in!
Carol, please do as I do and reserve the right to laugh as the consequences to those who voted for Trump suddenly hit them: farmers without workers, Red State people without Medicaid, people like my son-in-law, who, like his parents and his wife's mother, who now faces losing his government job. There will be consequences. Also, remember that this country was founded as a result of a revolution against a tyrant. It can happen again. Democracy will be restored. Hope to see you soon in Portugal. Cheers!
So many wonderful comments that certainly echo what many are feeling, including us. Thank you for sharing the media links. Along with many others, I have worked hard to streamline my media feeds and you provided a few extra options that I was not aware of. Hope to see you in April.
Please do not feel guilt. I admire your decision and persistence in making it happen.
It is rough here as the new is filled daily with new affronts to our way of life. I just talked to a young woman today; she is going ahead with some elective female surgery before (in her word) “The government makes the decision for me.”Today news is the approval of RFK to Health and Human suffering. Don’t even get me started.
ENJOY YOUR LIFE IN BEAUTIFUL PORTUGAL. Again, I feel only admiration for you and Paul.
MA
Your reading list is quite similar to ours. Heather is a national treasure, and we need her more than ever.
Carol, please don’t feel guilty for getting out. No more than anyone who saw what was coming in Germany or Italy in the 1930’s and left.
I expected bad and out of control with a second Trump term, but it’s so much worse than I anticipated. The entire power of the government seems to be invested in one drug-fueled manic billionaire tech bro who sends his minions into assorted government agencies to download all their data and move funds out of their accounts into—well, no one knows where. And he’s not telling.
And now the administration says it will not be stopped by anything as petty as any court making a ruling against them. I don’t see the chaos ending anytime soon, but I’m pretty sure by the time it’s done, America as we know it will have ceased to exist. I think that may have already happened, to be honest.
Thanks for your comment, Lynn,
Nothing surprises me anymore. A small part of me will always feel guilty. I will try my best to stay focused and strong. I hope you will try to do the same. -CW
The Buddha says life is impermanent, so, like you, I am hoping that this will pass. Another Substack writer I follow is Jeff Tiedrich's "everyone is entitled to my own opinion". He writes in an absurdist/gonzo style a la Hunter S. Thompson about the absurd and stupid things going on in the U.S.
Thanks for your comment, Greg. I have read his Substack. -CW
Hi Carol, empathise with you regarding USA but as you have said positively “and this too shall pass” enjoy what you can control. Love and best wishes. Leigh & Joy xx
Perfectly stated. It's hard to be here in RI right now too. We feel a little bit insulated from some of the crazy, but no all. And we may need to accelerate our timeline to go to Portugal - originally set for 2027 when our son would be done with HS and ready for university in Europe. sigh. It is maddening and heartbreaking all at once. Stay sane. You be you. Much appreciated.
Highly recommend Judd Legum’s Popular Information (independent accountability journalism.) https://substack.com/@juddlegum/note/p-157035639?r=ez1n&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
So much this. My wife and I moved to Portugal two years ago and it’s been awesome. We do sometimes self-censor our social media posts because we don’t want to seem insensitive. We are hyper aware of how fortunate we are and we have constant anxiety about our six adult kids having to navigate life in the United States at this perilous time. Trying to balance staying informed while not succumbing to constant doom-scrolling is a tricky enterprise.
Your post reminds me of a book by Erma Bombeck (how’s that name for a blast from the past) titled If Life Is a Bowl of Cherries Why Am I Always in the Pits?
I remember that Erma Bombeck book! Thanks for your comment. - CW
Carol, my friend and fellow Substack writer, I am just waking up in the US to all the comments from your heartfelt post. I will still be writing about the great glass of wine and that picturesque vineyard vista even while deeply concerned about our country and its future of being run by self-serving Oligarchs- your rotten cherries. I too have been weaning off watching too much news and feeling guilty about joy in my life. Heather Cox Richardson is such a strong voice for us in Letters From an American, and I pray for her continuing vigilance. Hers is one news source I read daily. Let’s collectively stay strong and focus on brings great stories, interviews, and legends to our supportive readers. T
Thanks for your comment, Tricia. I enjoy reading your posts about wine and travel! I’m happy that you’re continuing to write - it brings a sense of normalcy to an otherwise crazy world! - CW
What you're feeling, and what we are feeling, wrestling to decode. The confusion, frustration, embarrasment, even anger. You've been a voice of reason for us, and we need you all the more now.
Obrigada, Susan. - CW
Yes, THIS. I am also feeling a bit guilty, sitting here in safety, watching things fall apart for my friends in the US. Even for my non-friends, who don't realize what they voted for. I am working towards finding some sort of balance -- concern for what's going on, support for those in the States, and still bring the spirit of living abroad to people. I didn't move here for political reasons and maybe a month or so ago I would have told people, "Don't move to Portugal to escape the US; move because you want to live in Portugal." Now? I personally know of a BILLIONAIRE who is afraid of being targeted by the administration and is looking to live in Europe. Imagine how people with relatively little money or power are feeling. I'm not going to tell anyone who feels the need to get out of the States to stay put. If my experience can help them, then at least I'll have done something.
Carol, thank you so much for writing this. I’m sure there is a felling of guilt, but there shouldn’t be. As someone who is still here in the US, I can tell you that your writing is a respite from the chaos of the fire hose flooding here. I had planned years ago to retire in Europe, and about 7 years ago had decided on Portugal. A long time line, but one I kept in sight. I am now less than a year from retirement. As a federal employee, I may be closer than I think!! In any case, moving has been my goal for years. Recent events just cement that resolve. I would be moving regardless of who is in the White House, but I would certainly prefer it was a sane, law abiding person, not a convicted felon with no moral compass. Sigh~ Anyway, your writing gives me hope for what’s to come, something to cling to that reminds me life can be different and enjoyable in a new country. It’s scary to leave everything you know, but hearing from people who have done it and are living happy lives makes it feel more possible. So keep writing about your wonderful, sometimes rotten bits, life in Portugal. And I pray that within 18 months we will meet when I move there.
I will look forward to seeing you in Portugal, Dianna. And if I can be a resource for you, feel free to reach out anytime. - CW
Carol, thanks for writing this and most of your feelings are shared by this fellow Portugal residing Yank. I will say that feeling guilt is useless - it doesn't help those in the US about whom you worry and it only makes you feel bad with no productive result. We all make choices in our lives that are best for us, and as adults, we have to live with the repercussions of those choices - good and bad. The political/cultural situation in the US is mystifying and terrifying and I'm so so happy and GRATEFUL to be away from it directly. I hope with all my heart that "this too shall pass" but I'm not very optimistic. I choose not to talk about it very much with family/friends because I'm out and they're not, by choice, but not out a sense of guilt, but just because it serves no real purpose. My mental health definitely benefits from the distance.
Count me in with many of the same feelings of sadness, anger. I’m trying to keep it in perspective and focus mostly on how moving to Portugal has changed me —better able to deal with rotten cherries—on most days. Thank you, it is good of you to share.