The cartoonist, Lynda Barry, contends that most adults suffer from “play amnesia.” Living in these dark times, many overlook play...
The Unstoppable New Congresswomen!
We’re seeing a new phenomenon in American politics in the emergence of progressive women office holders, who aren’t backing down when attacked by the male ruling class. It wasn’t that long ago when the tendency was for women in political offices to respond defensively to male critiques. Now that’s no longer the case. As Katha Pollitt, [...]
Pat Taub
The Invisible Weight of Grief
GUEST POST by FRANCESCA ARNOLDY Being a grief group co-leader has taught me to respect the invisible weight of grief. I can scan a grief support group of friendly faces, and assume people are okay given their smiles and warm handshakes. And yet, once we get through introductions and take the conversation deeper, these seemingly “okay” [...]
Pat Taub
Survival Tips for 2019
When someone wishes me “Happy New Year” I’m tempted to respond, “What’s to be happy about given all the bad news in the country?” We’re faced with a government shutdown, record numbers of migrant families held in cages, a mustached war hawk Presidential advisor and massive social and income inequality. Once I settle down I realize [...]
Pat Taub
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