Pat Taub
Manhattan Weekend Recap
Last weekend in New York City was glorious: perfect walking weather; a riveting art exhibit at the Whitney Biennial showcasing young artists whose paintings, sculpture, installations and films were all politically charged; great meals, and the powerful off-off Broadway play, Sojourners, the first in a series of nine plays about adjusting to life in the US by Mfoniso Udofia, a young Nigerian female playwright to keep on your radar.
Dining at Prune with Ily who ordered roasted pistachios which involved stirring them until the flames went out!
Baby Grand in Wash. Square Park; love the piano’s inscription
Old Bodies Need Ample Attention
I’m very grateful that I can afford Pilates and Rolfing on regular basis. Pilates allows me to stretch and tone while Rolfing addresses my arthritic shoulder through deep (usually painful) muscle manipulation. Progress is slow but uphill. Ask someone who’s been rolfed if they screamed during their sessions, I bet 90% will say at least once. It’s that intense!
A Few of My Favorite Things
After seeing a post featuring a photo of the treasured possessions of the writer Arundhati Roy, I thought it would be fun to snap a still of some of my favorite possessions. I chose a photo of my mother on a Florida beach at age 20; a hilarious thank you card from my grandson Max when he was seven; one of my mother’s wedding presents, a silver teapot with her initials, which I often use for flowers; my Mother of Peace tarot cards ; and my grandmother’s silver bangles, which I wear regularly.
A Few of My Favorite Possessions
Mentoring
One of the perks of aging is the opportunity to mentor young women, offering advice and support when they reach out to me. My Pilates teacher is a gifted writer. She sent me a piece she’s working on about her relationship with her mother. I find it very gratifying to share my wisdom and experience with her.
My Response to Trump
I continue to refrain from focusing on his twitter account and instead find ways to protest. This evening I’ll be joining in a silent vigil with a group protesting Israel’s 50-year occupation of Palestine. We’ll have signs to explain our action, but in keeping with recent actions in Turkey and elsewhere we will be mute, even if provoked by bystanders. My hope barometer rises when I can be part of an action with like-minded souls.
