Many of us are feeling like we’ve been plunged into a spiral of dark news. Daily we are deluged with stories of large-scale migrant...
Pat Taub is a family therapist, writer and activist and life-long feminist. She hopes that WOW will start a conversation among other older women who are fed up with the ageism and sexism in our culture and are looking for cohorts to affirm their value as an older woman.
Why Do Mothers-in-Law Have a Negative Image?
When my oldest son became engaged, a luncheon was arranged to introduce me to his finance’s family. The scrutiny I received from my future daughter-in-law’s sisters made me feel like they were from the CIA. I experienced the uncomfortable sensation that I was being sized-up to determine the extent to which I’d be a problematic mother-in-law. [...]
Pat Taub
Books and Videos for Your Hibernation
My mother’s spirit was whispering in my ear, “Lockdown is the perfect time to clean your closets, messy kitchen drawers and disorganized office.” I shooed her away insisting that I’ll get around to cleaning eventually. I explained that until I find my equilibrium I need pleasurable diversions like books and films. This week I’m [...]
Pat Taub
Good Medicine: Handwritten Letters in the Time of Covid-19
GUEST POST by ZOE FITZGERALD-BECKETT Texting, and tweeting, and all the social media posting apps are a part of life now and serving in their way to keep us informed and in touch. But as a prescription for healing and strengthening our spirits during COVID-19, I recommend picking up a pen and writing a letter. Two years ago, a health [...]
Pat Taub
May Day, Tara Reade, Coping with Humor & More!
May Day, 2020 May Day is traditionally the holiday for Beltane, which celebrates earth’s fertility as trees and plants awaken from their winter slumber while farmers and gardeners plant new seedlings. Numerous rituals honor the Divine Mother with outdoor dances and prayers—although sadly this year most Beltane rituals will be online [...]
Pat Taub
Moving from Darkness into the Light
The other night I woke up at 3:30 am, my fears in over-drive. I worried that it will be months before I can see family and friends, that I’m massively wasting time every day, and on a lighter note, bemoaned cutting my hibernated hair. As I was tossing and turning I had a small epiphany: I’ve been neglecting my spiritual practices, which [...]
Pat Taub
Earth Day, Fifty Years Later
GUEST POST by JANET WEIL On my fifteenth birthday, the U.S. environmental movement gave me the gift of a lifetime: Earth Day! Knowing my love of the natural world, my mother (a teacher) arranged for me to attend the rally at Portland (Oregon) State University. My birthday presents were stacked next to my breakfast, and one was a lovely tan [...]
Pat Taub
Hibernation Crazies, Zoom, A Good Read & More!
Hibernation Update I’m now in week 5 of my isolation. I thought I had it down, but yesterday I hit a wall when it dawned on me that I could be facing months of isolation. Depression was looming. The Hibernation Crazies had come for me! Suddenly I realized I hadn’t taken a daily walk for two days. In spite of the overcast sky [...]
Pat Taub
The Healing Power of Poetry
Since April is National Poetry month and since this April we’re all frantic over COVID, what could be a better time to celebrate the healing powers of poetry? If you’re like me you have favorite poets that you might consult when you’ve been asked to recite a poem at a wedding or funeral, but you probably don’t read poetry as regularly [...]
Pat Taub
Banishing the “I’m Not Being Productive” Guilt
“I feel guilty because I have all this time at home and I’m not being productive.” This is a common response I’ve been hearing from friends and seeing on Facebook postings. Enough! Let’s put an end to these harsh self-judgments. The “productive” path right now is to give yourself time to adjust to the coronavirus’ mandated [...]
Pat Taub
Coping with Laughter, A Recommended Film, Supporting Nurses & More
Laughter as a Coping Method While COVID is no laughing matter, especially as the deaths soar, and our medical workers are woefully ill equipped with protective gear, laughing can help to discharge our frustrations. Here’s a link to a very funny Instagram short video of a woman cooking and dancing at the same time. Her exuberance is catching [...]
Pat Taub