Life is (not always) a bowl of cherries.
And why I will continue to write about what I know.
Dear Readers,
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the past. Especially how when I was a little girl growing up in Rhode Island, I was loved, nurtured, and sheltered from all the bad stuff happening in the world at the time. Before my siblings came along, I was content living in my safe little bubble with just me, mom, and dad. My parents loved music, and the record player or the radio was always on. From a very early age, I listened (and occasionally toddler danced) to my parents’ choice of music: jazz, big band, blues, and country. I know I’m dating myself here but one song that I often heard was “Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries” performed by Louis Armstrong (other famous artists have also covered this song). Every time I heard this tune, I would envision a big bowl of cherries on the kitchen table and wonder what exactly that had to do with life.
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the phrase “Life is just a bowl of cherries” is something said when life is pleasant. It can also be used sarcastically to mean the exact opposite.
A bowl of rotten cherries.
Over the last few weeks, since the U.S. presidential inauguration, life for many (Paul and I included), has felt more like a huge bowl of rotten cherries.
I have noticed (and have been in touch with; or have read recent posts on Substack or Substack Notes) that many of my fellow writers who are U.S. expats living in Portugal and beyond, are struggling with what’s going on in the United States and the world. I totally get it. It’s depressing, it’s demoralizing, it’s paralyzing, it makes you angry, and it’s frightening. As writers, it’s also very difficult to ramp up the imagination, motivation, and the creative juices to write when so much of the world right now is under duress.
Which brings me to my dilemma.
Should I feel guilty?
I struggle with feelings of guilt because I am extremely fortunate to live in a relatively safe place, I’m happy in my life for the most part, and I’m enjoying my experiences living in and traveling around Portugal and finding my Portuguese roots. I’m scared of course, and so very worried about all our loved ones in the U.S. But although not perfect, my life right now is like a bowl of cherries with just the occasional single rotten one I find in the mix.
I sometimes wonder if I should continue to write about what I know because what I write about is primarily happy, pleasant, lifestyle content and I don’t want anyone to think that I am insensitive or oblivious to what is happening in the world.
Writing about what you know.
I’m not politically savvy but I’m also not ignorant.
I stay informed daily about what’s going on in my country of birth as well as around the world, however unpleasant that can be most times. But I limit the amount of content I read or watch each day, because it can drive me crazy to a point of paralysis of the mind and body (and writer’s block), along with a huge dose of depression if I try to consume too much at once. But I refuse to be ignorant and uninformed just because the collective world-wide bowl of cherries happens to be mostly rotten right now.
Instead, I read and view content about what's happening in the U.S. and beyond from writers who know what they’re talking about. Some are on the Substack platform; others are not. All are independent news sources that rely on subscriber support and are not part of a corporate conglomerate. They’re highly experienced, intelligent, and well respected journalists. If you’re looking for these types of journalists to follow, here are a few I can recommend:
Why I will continue to write about what I know.
Some days, I long for the safe little bubble of my childhood, happily dancing to a song about life and cherries. Instead, over the last several days, I have seen and listened to so much sadness, frustration, panic, and despair, as I witness the dismantling of our sacred U.S. Constitution, that I felt I had to at the very least tell you how I feel and why.
Having said that, I’m also going to try to put aside my feelings of guilt just because I am happy and live in a peaceful place, and I will continue to write about what I know; and leave the rotten cherry stuff to people who are far more experienced and knowledgeable than I.
Remember this:
This bowl of rotten cherries too, shall pass, and will eventually be relegated to the garbage bin. I’m going to remain steadfast in the hope that when that happens, it won’t be too late. We all have the power to make meaningful changes both big and small. Some folks will be on the frontlines, while others will be supportive in many other positive ways.
I’ll do my small part in writing about what I know; bringing my readers my insights on my adopted country, and with it some happiness and hope (fingers crossed), while supporting independent, fact-based writers, and by staying informed. If my words in my newsletters appeal to you, I hope you'll stick with me. If not, that's okay, too.
Truthfully, this was not the newsletter I had planned to publish in today’s edition of Our Portugal Journey. It was a much lighter article about liquors made in Portugal (something I do know about) which I will publish on February 27th.
I’m excited to have many new articles in the queue to share with you! Some have to do with recent road trips and others have to do with my Portuguese ancestry.
Thanks again for being on this journey with me.
Valentine’s Day is tomorrow. Spread a little love! Read my article on how it’s celebrated in Portugal.
Valentine Celebrations in Portugal
Since living in Portugal, Paul and I have experienced a plethora of holidays and festivities. For such a small country, they sure know how to celebrate in a big way. So, I was wondering if there were any special traditions or celebrations of love on Valentine’s Day. It turns out not so much in modern times,
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Until next time…
Obrigada!
Carol.
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.