From cardboard wars in Portugal to old inner voices I thought I’d packed away, this season has been about more than pool dreaming about floats – it’s been about loosening shame’s grip and finding real freedom.
There’s nothing like being abroad on the 4th of July to remind you how strange patriotism can be. From here, the holiday looks less like a celebration and more like a performance. Love of country doesn’t mean ignoring the mess — it might mean finally acknowledging it.
Panic and paralysis won’t save us as we flail around, trying to get out of the nightmare.
I just want to take a moment and speak to my readers in the United States and say that my respect and compassion go out to everyone who’s genuinely wrestling with how best to resist what’s coming in the wake of Monday’s presidential inauguration. As you know I now live in Portugal for nearly 3 years, so I’m not in the frying pan. But, regardless of where you are in the world, we are all to some degree going to be held hostage to the man’s cruel whims and tantrums. At this point, the U.S. is a wobbling behemoth – the real question is when it topples who will be left in the wreckage?
I’ve had a strange compulsion since Trump won the White House – I’m drawn to dystopian films and series. And, at the same time, I find myself reflecting deeply on what can be done when faced with overwhelming societal challenges.
This is a little off-topic from my usual letters, but – not really – as you’ll see. I invite you to just keep reading. The week after the presidential election, Ron and I got a lot of comments (along with assorted emoticons!) in emails from friends. I guess you could say it was in a congratulatory vein.
I’m not a big fan of commercial holidays – think Valentine’s, or Mother’s and Father’s Day where you’re made to feel obligated to “honor” a loved one. In fact, I always like to honor people close to me without an “enforced” holiday nipping at my heels – forcing me into doing it.
Visiting Thailand is a spiritual gift no matter how you look at it and the addition of cannabis enhances it!
This provides a glimpse into how an unrestrained Donald Trump could exploit the Supreme Court decision to grant himself king-like authority and how Project 2025 would enable it.
I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately in the wake of the death of Russian dissident Alexei Navalny. I often say I’m not afraid to die. Yes, I do love living – but I’m also fine with dying when the time comes.