I’ve chosen trailblazers in literature, music, painting, political activism and medicine. Many communities lost their own notable...
Surviving Family Holidays
As the holidays wind down, many of us have either returned home from visiting family, said our goodbyes to relatives we hosted, or are still in the midst of a family visit. Perhaps you’ve had to restrain yourself from challenging a hypochondriac aunt, a brother-in-law who slugs the eggnog and then become obnoxious or the boorish cousin who [...]
Pat Taub
Solstice, Family Xmas, Murphy Brown & More!
Happy Solstice! Today marks the first day of the Winter Solstice. Ironically, it’s rain and not snow, which is gracing my city of Portland, Maine. The temps are in the low ‘50’s, feeling more Spring-like than Christmassy—another reminder of global warming. My little tree, which resembles a bush more than a Christmas tree greets [...]
Pat Taub
Women Who Rocked 2018!
As we approach the end of 2018 it’s tempting to sink into despair over the political and social catastrophes generated by the Orange Monster. Trump steals the headlines with his crazed tweets, obscuring a growing body of female leaders and innovators. I garner hope from all the badass women who rocked 2018, putting heart and soul into [...]
Pat Taub
Beating Back the Holiday Blues
If you live alone; if your family is scattered far and wide; if you recently lost a partner or spouse; if you can’t afford the plane fare to visit family or to enjoy a holiday escape, you may be feeling miserable and lonely, making you a prime candidate for the holiday blues. No one wants to feel left out, but wait a minute, let’s pause [...]
Pat Taub
Turkey Day, Bush 41, Xmas Preps, a Great Read & More!
Thanksgiving Catch-Up Since I haven’t published a Short Takes for two weeks, I’m sharing a Thanksgiving dinner photo of yours truly flanked by my two handsome sons, David (with moustache), and Jonathan and grandson, Max. Absent are my daughter-in-law who took the photo and my granddaughter, Jane. Max was my sous chef producing mashed [...]
Pat Taub
Turning into Mrs. Scrooge
This past weekend a friend and I went to the mall to get a head start on our Christmas shopping. The busy crowds and stores crammed with cheesy, over-priced merchandise had us bolting for the nearest exit. By the time we got to our car I was in full Mrs. Scrooge mode. I wish our over-commercialized Christmas could be erased along with the [...]
Pat Taub
Miserable with Getting Old
I recently received an email from a WOW reader, who described herself as “miserable with aging.” She wrote, “I hate getting old. I hate the wrinkles, sleep problems and bouts of loneliness . . . I hate having aged out of the dating scene.” The reader’s complaints carry a universal ring in our ageist and sexist culture, which [...]
Pat Taub
My Imperfect Role Models
In interviews to promote her new biography, Becoming, Michelle Obama lavishly praises the strong role models offered by her mother, grandmother and aunt. They seem perfect. When I reflect on the women in my family who came before me I have mixed feelings. My paternal grandmother had a shrill tongue; Aunt Anne was a heavy drinker; Aunt [...]
Pat Taub
Snow, Ranked Choice Voting Triumphs, Facing Death & More!
SNOW! Portland, Maine had its first snowfall of the season last night. It continues to snow lightly and blow fiercely. We’re on track to get about 5.” Tomorrow the temps will climb into the ‘40’s which will enhance melting—a boon to those who have Thanksgiving errands to run. This isn’t a particularly picturesque snow, just [...]
Pat Taub
Handling Politics at the Thanksgiving Dinner Table
GUEST POST BY JANET WEIL On a visit with relatives in rural Oregon in September, I sat at the dining table with my female relative – let’s call her Tricia – while our husbands went to the auto parts store. Instead of the offer of a beverage and a look at the latest photos of her grandchildren I was expecting, Tricia started in on a near-rant [...]
Pat Taub