Pat Taub
National Mourning
The Tree of Life synagogue massacre continues to haunt my soul. I was heartened by the large number of Portlanders who came out for a vigil in honor of the Tree of Life Victims. I wasn’t able to go because of my fractured foot, but reports from those who attended give me hope. I was told that the overflow crowd radiated love and good will.
The overflow crowd outside a South Portland synagogue during the vigil for the Tree of Life victims.
November Novel Writing Challenge
I signed on to write 1650 words a day for the month of November joining the November novel writing challenge. I made yesterday’s word count and will try to do the same today by breaking it up and writing a few words at a time. This is a daunting task. I don’t expect to produce a work of art but simply to grease the wheels so my writing becomes more habitual.
The November novel writing pledge is not for the faint of heart!
Midterm Elections
I’m relieved the mid term elections are right around the corner. I doubt that my frazzled nerves can take much more of Trump’s desperate and mean measures like deploying 15.000 troops to Mexican-US border! As his anxiety mounts it seems certain that he will amp his hate speech to fire up his base. Goddess help us!
A personal favorite: Stacey Abrams running for governor of Georgia with Oprah who’s campaigning for Abrams.
A Newly Discovered Writer
A friend sent me the Edith Pearlman short story collection How to Fall—a play on words since I’m recovering from a fall, which produced a fractured foot. I can’t believe I hadn’t discovered this brilliant writer before. She has an economical, hypnotic style. Pearlman will now enter my shortlist of not-to-be-missed writers.
College Basketball Season Arrives
Living in Syracuse, NY for 18 years turned me into a fan of Syracuse University’s basketball team. Their season starts next week. The Orange are projected to have a strong team this year, but they will still need my cheering which I’m convinced travels from my living-room- TV-watching to the player’s bench!
Fingers Crossed for Election Results that Vote in As Many Progressives as Possible!
