Pat Taub
California Vacation
Lucky me, I’m writing from sunny Palm Springs, CA where I’m vacationing, and escaping the snow and ice. I’m particularly grateful to be in a warm clime as Maine anticipates a heavy snowfall this weekend. This is my first time in the desert. I love the full sun but miss the ocean—a first world complaint to be sure!
Palm Springs Film Festival
Last week I attended the Palm Springs International Film Festival where I saw amazing films from Japan, China, France and Poland. My favorite movie was the Japanese charmer, “Shoplifters,” which won best film at the festival and is short listed for the Academy Awards in the category of Best Foreign Film. “Shoplifters” is already playing in major cities across the country. It’s about a very poor extended family that gets by on shoplifting. At the Q and A following the film the director explained, through an interpreter, that he was intentionally focusing on class differences.
Mary Oliver
This week we mourned the passing of our great national treasure, the soulful poet Mary Oliver. Women fans of Oliver have taken to Facebook in droves to express how much her poetry meant to them. I blogged a tribute to Oliver in November, 2017: http://wowblog.me/mary-oliver-poetry-for-the-soul/
Mary Oliver in solitude with her beloved dog. (Rachel Giese Brown)
Feeling Hopeful
I’m encouraged and moved by the new women elected to Congress who are standing strong in opposition to Trump and mean-faced Mitch McConnell. They show no signs of backing down or compromising their values. I can’t help but wonder if Nancy Pelosi’s standing-up to Trump hasn’t been influenced in some degree by her younger sisters in Congress. Go women!
Writing for Inspiration
Starting today I’m committing myself to writing one hour a day to clarify a future direction for myself. By this I mean I’ve been casting about for a creative project that will stimulate my brain cells and hopefully have social meaning. I know I want to engage in a project that will focus on older women. A play, a series of interviews or . . . Hoping the Goddess delivers some inspiration before too long!
Yours Truly in search of inspiration
