While I’m an elder, I hadn’t given a lot of thought to dying, that is until my brother, who’s 20 months younger, announced in...
Thinking About Death
While I’m an elder, I hadn’t given a lot of thought to dying, that is until my brother, who’s 20 months younger, announced in a recent late-night phone call that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. (To preserve my brother’s [...]
Pat Taub
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John Lewis, “Jaws” in Maine, A Green Burial & More!
John Lewis This week belonged to the memory of John Lewis, who died on July 17th. I watched footage of the 25-year-old Lewis, being beaten within an inch of his life, when crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama in a march for voting rights. Lewis made one final crossing of the bridge in a horse-drawn carriage holding his flag-draped [...]
Pat Taub
Mothers Showing Up: Wall of Moms, Portland, Oregon
By PAT TAUB and JANET WEIL* Bev Barnum, a 35-year-old Mexican-American mother of two from Portland, Oregon had never been in a single protest, but her outrage over the aggressive actions of the federal troops against Black Lives Matter protesters propelled her into action. She felt other mothers must be sharing her outrage, but before trying [...]
Pat Taub
Female Power, Family Pride, A Sudden Death & More
Female Power Rising This week saw two amazing expressions of female power. Yesterday on the House floor, Representative Alexandria Ocasio Cortez gave a powerful speech condemning Representative Yoho for calling her a “F—— B—-,” while broadening her speech to rebuke the verbal abuse of women in general. Cornell West [...]
Pat Taub
Dania’s Bench
GUEST POST by CAROLE LESKIN It was 7 AM when I stepped out onto my balcony to look at the sunrise. I call the balcony my tree house, because it is secluded, overlooks a trail, field and stream, is abundant with wildlife, and in the warm months, wildflowers and a garden. No matter how I feel or what lies ahead, I am soothed by the magic of [...]
Pat Taub
COVID in Maine, Gardens, “Offspring” & More!
Maine’s COVID Response This week the New York Times published a color-coded map of the US comparing states’ responses to COVID. I was gratified to see Maine in dark green, which corresponded to those states “trending well.” The only other states in this category are Vermont and New Hampshire. I remain grateful for our excellent [...]
Pat Taub
Does the Age Positive Movement Silence Older Women Who Don’t Fall into Line?
From its conception almost 5 years ago, WOW has been committed to encouraging older women to identify and resist the cultural messages that denigrate the aging women. Blog posts have emphasized the positives of aging, while championing the on-going contributions of older women in the arts, politics and spirituality. I hadn’t questioned WOW’s [...]
Pat Taub
Maine Fog, Unmuzzled Fauci, A Movie to Watch & More!
Escaping the Plague I continue to be grateful for my Maine country retreat, which offers a respite from the frightening stories of the national spikes in COVID. I still follow the news, but here I can renew my connection with nature, a soothing balm in our increasingly turbulent world. Below is an image of the morning fog, taken from my [...]
Pat Taub
Love vs. Hate
This past July 4th was unlike any in American history. Americans were battling a deadly virus, which forced the cancellation of parades and public gatherings. At the same time, Americans were facing heightened divisions between the factions of hate and love. The President was the poster boy for hate, delivering two back-to-back racist speeches [...]
Pat Taub
A Different July 4th, Antiracism, Spiritual Confusion & More!
What 4thof July? I don’t think any of us could have imagined a 4thof July like the one we are celebrating, or not celebrating, this year. No family gatherings, picnics or fireworks except for those who are ignoring social distancing. For Blacks the 4th is not a holiday to be celebrated, since, unlike the early white settlers who rejoiced [...]
Pat Taub