Pat Taub
A Visit from My Brother
Earlier this week my brother, Curry, who’s 20 months younger than me, visited me in Portland. He’s a retired Civil Liberties lawyer who lives in Asheville with his second wife. Curry and I walked, talked and ate out a lot, while lamenting over the future our kids and grands face as climate change accelerates. We agreed that we have to find a way forward without succumbing to despair or cynicism. I am very grateful for the deep sharing that took place during my brother’s visit.
Family photo showing my brother, Curry, left, baby brother, Ted and myself
Celebrity Sighting
During Curry’s visit we were exiting a popular Portland seafood restaurant when I spotted Cecile Richards, a past president of Planned Parenthood. I put on my fan hat and approached Cecile, expressing gratitude for her work. At present Cecile is a co-founder of Super Majority, which is an intersectional organization promoting progressive politics for women across America. Richards is the author of “Make Trouble,” a rallying cry for women activists. She is the daughter of Ann Richards, a former governor of Texas.
Cecile Richards testifying at a Congressional hearing in 2015 when Planned Parenthood was unjustly accused of selling off fetal tissue–note her mother’s sheriff badge pin.
“The Night Watchman”
I’m halfway through Louise Erdrich’s latest book, “The Night Watchman.” This brilliant novel is based on the life of Erdrich’s grandfather, Patrick Gourneau, who dedicated his life to fighting the dispossession of his Chippea Nation in rural North Dakota. Erdrich’s writing is dazzling in its simplicity, replete with sentences that take my breath away. She vividly describes a Native American community that cares deeply for one another, while fighting deep poverty and racism.
Wes Anderson Fans Alert
One of my very favorite filmmakers, Wes Anderson, has released the trailer for his new film, “French Dispatch,” which comes out on October 22nd. In our topsy-turvy world, Anderson delivers a welcome tonic in the form of full belly laughs. I’m also a big fan of his previous films, “The Royal Tenenbaums” and “The Darjeeling Limited.”
Catherine Ingram
A friend sent me a link to an article on living during climate extinction, hardly a cheerful topic, but as written by Ingram, a Buddhist, it provides a caring guidepost for managing our unprecedented times where living with uncertainty is central. I was reminded to dig out my favorite Buddhist books and to up my Loving-Kindness practice.
Catherine Ingram
