Pat Taub
Key West Vacation
I celebrated being fully vaccinated by scheduling a 6-week trip to Key West, where I’m luxuriating in the tropical temps, the ease of walking everywhere and feeling the sun on my face. Here are a few images from a recent walk: a sand sculpture, a lovely cemetery statue and the Margaret Truman launderette. When her father was President, Key West was Truman’s vacation destination. The home he stayed in here became known as “the little White House.”
Deb Haaland
This week the Native American leader and former US representative from New Mexico, Deb Haaland, was sworn in as the 54th United States Secretary of the Interior. Haaland is making history as the first Native American to hold a cabinet position. Environmental activists are looking to her to champion green friendly policies.
Haaland dressing for her swearing-in ceremony, lacing her moccasins and wearing a traditional Native American skirt and jewelry
Hamnet
I just finished the novel, Hamnet, by Maggie O’Farrell. It takes place in England in 1580 when the Black Death was spreading across the country. Hamnet is a family drama focusing on Will Shakespeare and his wife Agnes. It follows their relationship as they deal with their grief over the death of their son Hamnet, who becomes the inspiration for Shakespeare’s famous play, “Hamlet.” While I enjoyed the characters and the historical setting, the last third of the book became a little too overwrought for me.
March Madness
This week kicks off March Madness, the annual men’s college basketball tournament, which is a single-elimination tournament of 68 teams, who compete for the title of the NCAA championship. The games are played throughout the month. Having lived in the big college basketball city of Syracuse, NY for almost 20 years, I became a big SU fan and still follow “The Orange.” I will watch them tonight as they play San Diego, a higher seed. I hope SU can pull off an upset!
Changing My Diet
In a recent Zoom conversation with several women friends, the topic of eating a plant-based diet came up. Several of the women have been vegetarians for a while, citing factory farming, which cruelly raises chicken, beef and other meats, as influencing their decision. They also reported feeling healthier on a plant-based diet. I’m now inspired to change my eating habits. I gave up beef long ago. The remaining challenge is to give up chicken and fish. The fish part will have to wait until I leave Key West, since it’s a restaurant staple here.
