Patricia Westheimer, author, teacher and business writing consultant, is originally from Baltimore, Maryland. She currently lives in Cascais, Portugal and in Paris, France. She is the principal author of Scott Foresman's Executive Writing Series. In addition, she writes a bi-weekly column for The Portugal NEWS (
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The mission of Americans in Portugal, founded in 2000, is to enhance the quality of life of expatriate Americans, their spouses, significant others living in the Lisbon area and to promote favorable relations between Americans residing in Portugal and the Portuguese community.Gratitude
dated 2012-01-14 | posted in columns | topic Economy | permanent link
With all the complaints about rising prices, the falling euro and the “crise” I thought I’d put my attention on an overlooked attitude here: gratitude. After all, for all the whining, Jumbo was still packed last Wednesday evening, the lines to pay at FNAC in CascaiShopping were as long as ever last weekend, and the Indian restaurant next to my home has a nearly full house every night.
So, how about thinking of people, places and events to be ...
The Cough
dated 2011-09-26 | posted in columns | topic Health | permanent link
Mariana came to work for us two years ago. An immigrant from the Ukraine she was obviously overqualified for housework, but gladly accepted the job as she said conditions at home were horrible. She arrived with two daughters whom she is raising as a single mother. Mariana cleans 12 houses a week, including mine. Early in her employment, I noticed that Mariana had a cough. I thought it was the kind that comes with the flu and had battled a few cold ...
Positive Addiction?
dated 2011-08-16 | posted in columns | topic People | permanent link
My friend Dan says there's no such thing as a positive addiction. I think he wrong. One shade of addiction's definition and usually the first is negative often associated with drugs, alcohol gambling or food. But another side of addiction can be viewed as love of, passion for, attachment to, affection for, fondness for, zeal for or fervor. That's my case for saying I am addicted to ocean swimming, The act started innocently as many addictions do. L ...
Beware of Your Airplane’s Air
dated 2011-01-17 | posted in columns | topic Health | permanent link
I boarded TAP 103 heading for Newark on December 31. The year was ending, I felt well, and I looked forward to a holiday with my family on Sanibel Island, Florida. All went well during the first 30 minutes of the flight. When announcements stopped and the only sounds came from the plane itself, I suddenly became aware of fierce coughing emitted from a gentleman two seats and to the right of me. I was sure he’d stop once lunch was served and the ...
A Country of Holes
dated 2010-12-07 | posted in columns | topic People | permanent link
I stood in awe yesterday as a group of my neighbours stared mesmerized into a gaping hole recently unearthed by a bulldozer digging from 8 am until 6pm every day of the week, rain or shine. I asked one of the men, who clearly didn’t want to be bothered, what was going on. The answer “Não sei” confirmed my suspicion that the Portuguese will stare at everything from holes being dug to traffic accidents without any connection to or involvement ...