Category Archives: Elaina

The Room With No Windows by Elaina Portugal 9/02/2020

Posted on September 2, 2020 by eportugal4

The Room With No Windows By: Elaina Portugal September 02, 2020 I don’t believe in coincidences. I believe there’s a reason or message in every “chance” meeting or split-second change in decision or action. Sometimes the message might be for … Continue reading →

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White Woman Running by Elaina Portugal

Posted on June 5, 2020 by eportugal4

White Woman Running By: Elaina Portugal June 5th, 2020   Before I broke my back, I was a runner. There was nothing better than going out early in the morning or later in the evening when the world was dark … Continue reading →

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It’s Not About Politics Elaina Portugal 04/08/20

Posted on April 8, 2020 by eportugal4

It’s Not About Politics Elaina Portugal 04/08/20 Recently, I was told that people cannot talk politics with me because my reaction is so immediate, so visceral, and I cannot hear the other side. I had to stop and think about … Continue reading →

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Happy Cashew Day! Elaina Portugal 12/14/19

Posted on December 14, 2019 by eportugal4

  Happy Cashew Day! Elaina Portugal 12/14/19 Last week, my eighty-one year old mother-in-law hung her very first Christmas ornament ever. Being Jewish, she’d never had an opportunity, and perhaps never a desire, to hang an ornament before. She sat … Continue reading →

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To Spit or Swallow – Elaina Portugal – November 27th, 2018

Posted on November 27, 2018 by eportugal4

  To Spit or Swallow? – Elaina Portugal- November 27th, 2018   I scurried through Dollar General looking for ant bait, scratching at every imagined itch. The pesky little buggers had formed a conga line from the base of my … Continue reading →

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The Innocent Racist – Elaina Portugal – 2-05-2018

Posted on February 5, 2018 by eportugal4

The Innocent Racist  – Elaina Portugal “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” Maya Angelou The sun beat down on our backs; sweat trickled along our hairlines making us scratch. Sweaty … Continue reading →

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Tasting My Childhood – Elaina Portugal – 12/24/17

Posted on December 24, 2017 by eportugal4

Tasting My Childhood – Elaina Portugal 12/24/17 My kitchen counters are covered in flour and the temperature in the kitchen must be ten degrees warmer than the rest of the house. Poluski, polish potato dumplings, are rolled on the counter … Continue reading →

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UnThanksgiving — Elaina – 11/29/2016

Posted on November 29, 2016 by eportugal4

UnThanksgiving November 29, 2016 I didn’t get invited to Thanksgiving Dinner. To be fair, since I moved to North Carolina four and a half years ago, Thanksgiving is typically not a holiday my family of origin spends together. Most years, … Continue reading →

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The Day After- Elaina – November 9th, 2016

Posted on November 9, 2016 by eportugal4

The Day After -Elaina Portugal November 9th, 2016 Dear Mr. Trump- Congratulations on winning the most coveted job in the world. Today I had to go to work and face my students, students who were not in your camp. I … Continue reading →

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Thank You, Donald Trump – 8/10/16 – Elaina

Posted on August 10, 2016 by eportugal4

Thank you, Donald Trump – Elaina Portugal August 10th, 2016 Dear Reader I have always believed that as a nation, we have come far in our attitudes and beliefs about race and inequality. The 13th, 15th, and 19th Amendments, Brown … Continue reading →

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