Pat Taub
California’s Fires
I’ve been following the horrific California fires, and grateful that my son who lives in Santa Monica has been spared evacuation and fires near him, but I can’t stop thinking about the long term implications of California’s raging fires. Does it mean as the climate activist, Bill McKibben, asserts that California won’t be habitable for long? It infuriates me that our corrupt leaders continue to deny the reality of climate change. I will renew my efforts to protest climate extinction and donate to Sunrise, the youth-led climate organization working day and night to get policies implemented to address climate catastrophe.
Teary students from Sunrise in Pelosi’s office, pleading with her to address climate change
Changing My Diet
I’ve decided to do my small part to address climate change by changing my diet, limping towards a mostly vegetarian diet. For a while I’ve been aware of the studies that have found livestock-rearing is a major cause of greenhouse gases, in part because of the methane produced by the animals. I rarely eat beef, but I’m fond of bacon and the occasional lamb chop. So I’m saying goodbye to burgers, bacon and my beloved lamb chops, but there’s still chicken to reject. I will draw the line on fish, not wanting to give up salmon and other fresh water fishes. What a challenge!
Eating like a vegetarian means more tofu in my frig.
My New Writing Project
Several summers ago I took a play writing course and then forgot about writing a play until recently when I became inspired to write a play that features 3 older women and a younger woman where the focus is on facing death. This sounds grim, but I have ample ideas for injecting humor. Even if I write a so-so play I think the enterprise will help me in my efforts to face my own death with less trepidation.
I’m no Lillian Hellman, but nevertheless I have play-writing fever
A House Party for Candidate Lisa Savage
This Saturday I’m hosting a house party for Lisa Savage, a Solon schoolteacher and long time peace activist who’s seeking the Green Party Senate nomination to run against Susan Collins. Lisa is making a Green New Deal central to her campaign, pledging to bring green jobs to Maine and to ensure a healthy future for the next generation. Lisa also stands for Medicare for all and abolishing student loan payments.
Lisa Savage announcing her exploratory run for the US Senate against Susan Collins. Congress Sq. Park, Portland
