Pat Taub
March Madness Tournament
My basketball team, Syracuse, has advanced to the NCAA’s “Sweet Sixteen,” playing Duke tonight, who’s heavily favored. It may be painful to watch, but then again the Orange surprised most sports writers and me by getting this far. Out of love for his grandmother, my 12 year-old grandson, Max has promised to watch tonight’s game to cheer on Syracuse.
Syracuse practicing for their big game against Duke
Saturday’s Gun Control March
Tomorrow I’ll be marching in Portland in support of much needed gun control. It looks like there will be a huge turnout both in Washington and across the country. I’m so proud of the Florida teens for creating this protest and for their determination to stay the course until gun control legislation is passed.
My Will
I met with my estate attorney this week to update my Advanced Care Directive which now includes one for Alzheimer’s and dementia. In the unhappy event that I develop some form of dementia I’ve spelled out my preferred treatment. In each case my will reads no prolonged efforts will be made to keep me alive. My sons are on board with this request. I’m feeling good at having faced and completed this unwelcome task.
Kaler-Vaill Retirement Home
This week I visited the Kaler Vaill retirement home for 15 women. This is a nonprofit-run home where the rent is kept low to make it affordable. Each of the residents has to be mobile and without any serious physical problems. The women stressed how much they liked living in this community where a high degree of mutual respect and affection exists. (Look for a future blog on communities for older women.)
Two Kaler Vaill residents who are in their ’90s!
Signs of Spring
A friend told me she heard birds chirping; more Portlanders are out and about and they seem to be smiling more. Being mad for polka dots, I bought a spring polka dot outfit at Target.
My new polka dot outfit ready for warm weather
Praying for Peace
I am terrified at the prospect of hawkish John Bolton as the new National Security Adviser. I hope the fear and trembling generated at Bolton’s presence in the White House will mobilize the peace community. We can’t let him get away with another Iraq by bombing Iran—horrible thought!
A Women’s Peace Action c. 1918
