I’ve chosen trailblazers in literature, music, painting, political activism and medicine. Many communities lost their own notable...
Key West, Susan Collins, New Films & More!
Key West I’m now enjoying my second week in Key West, indulging in the warm weather, while I read and write, feeling grateful for my winter escape. Here are a few Key West images taken on my walks. Roosters are everywhere and they crow all day long! The sign on the house in the bottom right photo says, “Key West Hunting Lodge.” [...]
Pat Taub
Enlarging the Corner
GUEST POST by MICHAEL STEINMAN Every morning, Benjamin Franklin asked himself, “What good shall I do today?” My answers are variations on a theme: spread joy, be kind, think of others. For nearly six decades, my pole star has been Louis Armstrong, who made people happier, who gave generously of himself. His joy, his art, and his livelihood [...]
Pat Taub
Key West, Political Turbulence, A Good Read & More!
Key West Arrival After a flying mishap where I was forced to leave a day late due to a late Portland departure and missed connections, I’m finally ensconced in Key West. I’m sharing a rental with an old friend for the month of January. It’s lovely to shed winter apparel for T-shirts and my faithful khakis. Yesterday I volunteered with [...]
Pat Taub
What Gives My life Meaning
GUEST POST by SALLY BOWDEN-SCHAIBLE I look into the bright slate-blue eyes of Olivia and the dark brown eyes of Ruby, my little granddaughters, and I see looking back at me the eyes of Mervet, Kinda and Alma (our friend Yasser’s family) and the little children running up and down the wide stone stairs of Yasser’s apartment building [...]
Pat Taub
Depressing News, Christmas Holidays, A New Read & More
Bad News Week I hate to start my post sounding gloomy, but all I can think about at the moment are the epic fires in Australia which have generated the largest evacuations in the nation’s history, and a looming war with Iran, thanks to the Trump administration blatant assassination (without Congressional approval) of Iranian Gen. Suleimani. [...]
Pat Taub
Popular WOW Posts in 2019
For my end-of-the-year post I thought it would be fun to share some of 2019’s more popular WOW posts. These essays offer tips for happy solo living, a meaningful retirement, loving your aging body, fighting off political despair and becoming a badass older woman. LET’S GET STARTED: “How to be a Happy Older Woman” http://wowblog.me/how-to-be-a-happy-older-woman [...]
Pat Taub
A Nurse’s Lessons in Kindness
This holiday season where good will seems in short supply, we owe it to our loved ones and our communities to be agents of kindness. A wonderful guide for the practice of kindness is the book The Language of Kindness by Christie Watson. In the holiday rush your reading time is probably at a premium, so allow me to acquaint you with Watson’s [...]
Pat Taub
Christmas Images, A Xmas Appeal, Family & More!
Holiday Images Walking around a very cold Portland I captured these holiday images. The first is from a new boutique on upper Congress St. I love the colorful tress of different sizes gracing the window. The other image is of the entrance to a townhouse in the West End. A Holiday Appeal This appeal does not involve money. [...]
Pat Taub
Coping with Political Despair
During my church’s coffee hour this past Sunday I found myself in conversation with a politically concerned young woman who was eager to discuss Michelle Goldberg’s New York Times op-ed, “Democracy Grief is Real.” The gist of the essay is that Trump has induced profound political despair among liberals. My companion felt validated [...]
Pat Taub
Friday the 13th, A Generational Divide, Agnes Varda & More!
Friday the 13thDebunked Did you know that Friday the 13thwas a sacred holiday during the era of the Goddess, which predated Christianity and the ascent of patriarchy? In fact 13 was considered a lucky number, but because 13 belonged to the era of women’s religions, once patriarchy was in place, the number became pejorative, like treating [...]
Pat Taub