Hi! I’m Hobit (yes, as in Lord of the Rings, and no my feet aren’t hairy): mama, educator, artist, outdoor enthusiast, aspiring musician, and social activist. My sidekick’s name is Luna: master of keep-away, social butterfly, outdoor enthusiast, bed hog, broccoli lover.
After almost twenty years in upstate New York, I accidentally moved to Maine. Well, the move was intentional - I wanted better career opportunities, more manageable property taxes, a different environment for my youngest, and to get back to the ocean. The accidental part was my impeccable timing of going under contract for a house a few states away the week before lockdown. Armed with masks, gloves, wipes, and hand sani I set off down the road with a car full of the essentials, pets, and plants while the ridiculous quantity of my other worldly possessions went with a moving company. The Portland area was a refreshing change with its slower pace and friendly, down to earth people. Starved for social interaction, my neighbors and I would stand chatting (and of course, drinking) six feet apart in the middle of the street. I worked part time as a special ed/behavioral health professional (kids with autism are my jam) while I finished up the grad classes I needed to sit for the behavior analyst board exam. “I’m so lucky to live here!” I would think as Luna and I romped on the beach as the sun popped up every day. “This is as good as it gets!”
But…
It was still the U.S… The profound hope I had felt early in the pandemic as our unjust systems were blatantly exposed and during the BLM protests was lost as we returned to the same, but even worse version, of normal. I could see the devastating train wreck unfolding in front of me in slow motion like a movie. I had no more answers for the question “what can we do?” Burned out and grossly underpaid, I joined the Great Resignation in October 2021 without a clear plan.
I longed for a different way of life, built on different values. What, where, how?
Have you ever had a conversation that completely changed the course of your life?
Seven months ago I was chatting with a longtime friend who had moved to Portugal. Suddenly it struck me - maybe I could move there! Armed with an invite to a Facebook group for aspiring and actual expats, the “maybe” quickly turned to a “yes!” Two weeks later I was on a redeye from Boston to Lisbon to check it out. I immediately fell in love with the kind and generous people, rich culture, and life in November without an ice scraper. The place I had long dreamed of actually existed! Of course it’s beautiful. But what really jived with me was the importance placed on family and community instead of profit and production, the lack of hurry. A newly met friend and I went to Setúbal for lunch one afternoon. We stood looking at the Luísa Todi sculpture flanked by music staffs dancing across tile backsplashes. My friend and I talked about how great it was that the town showcases a monument to a woman, and a musician at that, instead of the usual “war general guy on horse holding weapon.” “This is it,” I thought to myself as I caught a glimpse of the river. “This feels like home.”
A few days later I returned to Maine and spent the next five months completely focused on doing all of the things needed to be ready for Plane Day and to get a visa. I got the call from the Boston consulate three days before I was scheduled to travel, phew!!! I was weary from the endless packing, planning and purging, and actually waaaay up on the Canadian border when I got the call, but the excitement helped get me out of bed and brave the Boston traffic in the morning to go fetch it. I literally danced and woohoo-ed all the way down the street to my car after getting that magical stamp in my passport.
Many trials and tribulations later, and another redeye, I was standing in my new apartment overlooking the city of Setúbal.
Woo hoo, we made it!!!
Now what?!?
I rolled some ideas around in my mind while going about getting settled. What do I really want to do? What is most important to me right now? What do I value? I kept coming back to one idea…
This blog is the story of that idea, born from the question “how am I going to make a living?” What started as simple and small evolved into a dream. I wanted to do something that would involve and serve the community. Something that would not only make me money, but bring others along for the ride too. A “ponzi scheme of goodness!” 1
I invite you to come on the journey with me! Crespaco: What Next?!? is about the good, the challenging, and the farcical of this adventure as it unfolds.
Footnote: The musician Jay Ungar is often attributed with coming up with the wonderful phrase “ponzi scheme of goodness.” The truth is, he stole it from his other half, Molly Mason. They are the founding musicians and managers of Ashokan Music and Dance Camps in the Catskills region of New York. My daughter and I go every year; my Ashokan family is near and dear in my heart and camp is my favorite place in the world. Jay and Molly started doing free concerts on Wednesday nights at the start of the lockdown to spread cheer, keep connected, and raise funds to keep the nonprofit above water. Over 100 episodes later they are still going strong! The music is only part of it - the chat thread is fun, lively, and a great way to feel connected to other music lovers and musicians. A lot of people play along with the songs on their own instruments too - great way to practice without anyone hearing your mistakes :-) If you don’t know the key, just ask in the chat! If you dig roots music and want to check it out, you can find their Wednesday concerts on Facebook Live here
"what really jived with me was the importance placed on family and community instead of profit and production, the lack of hurry." - Love it. Beautiful pictures !! Moving for the first time in a new country is terrifying! You seem to embrace it well. Congratulations !! Soon you will flourish !
I look forward to following your adventures. I absolutely love your photos.