Your question and the question mark are exactly right. And your reflections remind me so much of the advice from Rilke: “…try to love the questions themselves like locked rooms and like books that are written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.” We are living the question, truly.
What a lovely and thoughtful meandering, no doubt mirroring your discoveries in Portugal. Thank you for sharing!
This month I have house a learner who is same training as me and almost done. It is a really cool evolving friendship, like me she is very independent and travels for work with her dog. I am working on a more comfy van build, that will allow me more freedom to detach from the bricks-and-mortar job I've carried x 20 years. :)
And my father's family was from Odessa, my maternal grandmother fled from Kiev pogroms. We are all interconnected in someway. Thank you for, as always, showcasing our shared humanity. And food of course.
That line in Candide has also weighed heavy with me since I first read it in French in high school. You are Alison, cultivating your own garden in a chaotic, unpredictable, violent, unjust world.
So much to ponder, thanks Alison! I'm planning a trip home to Canada in the next few months and I already know things are going to be different this time. Following your ongoing Portugal narratives, learning with you :)
This is a great travel story. And your treasure hunt to go food shopping doesn’t sound much different than rural upstate NY. I often have to drive 70 miles ONE way to get a decent piece of fish. Hopefully in Portugal you won’t have that problem. Enjoy!
I love this post! What a huge adventure you’re undertaking. We are doomscrolling here in the US as well. I went to the protest at the federal building, and it was so healing to be standing in solidarity and community. There is much work ahead. Try not to doomscroll so much from afar. I have to believe that is even more difficult than being here. The view from sunset hill park always starts my day nicely….no matter how crazy the world is, I can always catch my breath outside in a beautiful place.
Your question and the question mark are exactly right. And your reflections remind me so much of the advice from Rilke: “…try to love the questions themselves like locked rooms and like books that are written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.” We are living the question, truly.
I love that. Thank you.
Great post! I love (and share) your three goals for living here.
What a lovely and thoughtful meandering, no doubt mirroring your discoveries in Portugal. Thank you for sharing!
This month I have house a learner who is same training as me and almost done. It is a really cool evolving friendship, like me she is very independent and travels for work with her dog. I am working on a more comfy van build, that will allow me more freedom to detach from the bricks-and-mortar job I've carried x 20 years. :)
And my father's family was from Odessa, my maternal grandmother fled from Kiev pogroms. We are all interconnected in someway. Thank you for, as always, showcasing our shared humanity. And food of course.
🍁🧡 Sam
Oops should read thank you for sharing, as always,....my bad ,😅
Alison-
I celebrate with you.
I hope you will eat krupnick at home AND roast duck with strangers.
You will unequivocally enrich your beautiful community.
Dave
Awww, thanks Dave. I miss our long talks.
That line in Candide has also weighed heavy with me since I first read it in French in high school. You are Alison, cultivating your own garden in a chaotic, unpredictable, violent, unjust world.
So much to ponder, thanks Alison! I'm planning a trip home to Canada in the next few months and I already know things are going to be different this time. Following your ongoing Portugal narratives, learning with you :)
I'm planning my way to Portugal. Salguerinhas? Hmmm...
Impressive way to step up your PB game! Have fun!
I want to play a Mardi Gras pickleball tournament!! Good luck :)
A friend recently gave me this advice:
Mind your own business
I am not "for everyone" and everyone is not "for me"
I AM "for me!"
PS - May scouting trip to Sicily is booked
Happy to hear that!!
This is a great travel story. And your treasure hunt to go food shopping doesn’t sound much different than rural upstate NY. I often have to drive 70 miles ONE way to get a decent piece of fish. Hopefully in Portugal you won’t have that problem. Enjoy!
I love this post! What a huge adventure you’re undertaking. We are doomscrolling here in the US as well. I went to the protest at the federal building, and it was so healing to be standing in solidarity and community. There is much work ahead. Try not to doomscroll so much from afar. I have to believe that is even more difficult than being here. The view from sunset hill park always starts my day nicely….no matter how crazy the world is, I can always catch my breath outside in a beautiful place.