I’ve chosen trailblazers in literature, music, painting, political activism and medicine. Many communities lost their own notable...
Basketball, Gun Control March, A Cool Retirement Home & More
March Madness Tournament My basketball team, Syracuse, has advanced to the NCAA’s “Sweet Sixteen,” playing Duke tonight, who’s heavily favored. It may be painful to watch, but then again the Orange surprised most sports writers and me by getting this far. Out of love for his grandmother, my 12 year-old grandson, Max has promised [...]
Pat Taub
“Happiness is a Choice You Make:” A Book Review
In his best-selling book, “Happiness is a Choice You Make,” the author, John Leland makes the intriguing claim, “If you want to be happy, think like an old person.” Curious about Leland’s thesis, I scooped up his book, eager for tips on being happy in my advanced years and wanting to escape the lot of the old people in my family [...]
Pat Taub
Amazing Teens, Agnes Varda, Remembering My Lai & March Madness
Amazing Teens This past Wednesday’s coast-to-coast school walkouts were extraordinary. Some 3,000 schools participated. Student leaders delivered intelligent, inspiring speeches. They made it clear they won’t stop protesting until our gun laws are reformed. They may turn out to be Trump’s most formidable opponent! Let’s all try to [...]
Pat Taub
What’s Missing in Our Reflections on Women’s History Month?
In honor of this year’s Women’s History Month, on March 11, 2018 the New York Times made a move to correct their longstanding emphasis on male accomplishments by publishing a special supplement entitled, “Overlooked.” This section celebrates 12 women of achievement who never made it into the Times obituary pages. I welcome the Times [...]
Pat Taub
International Women’s Day, More Snow, A Great Read & More
International Women’s Day How thrilling to see photos of women from all over the globe taking to the streets on March 8th in celebration of International Women’s Day. Spanish women rocked, staging a “feminist strike” where they refused to go to work; the strike included women in unpaid jobs like at-home mothers. The impact was felt [...]
Pat Taub
The Power of Magic
Typically a film makes me cry because of a redeeming ending like when two lovers are reunited or when social justice has been delivered. I cried for a different reason after watching Guillermo Del Toro’s Oscar winning-film, “The Shape of Water.” I cried because this beautiful, magical film burrowed deep inside me to a place that is seldom [...]
Pat Taub
An Impressive Teen Leader, My Sister-in-Law, Anna Deavere Smith & More
An Impressive Student Leader Bright, concerned teens all over the country are speaking out against gun violence, shaming their elders for their inaction. Yesterday in Augusta, Maine, Pearl Benjamin, a 16 year-old Camden high school student addressed the Maine State House at a gun control rally, Here’s a brief except from her talk: My friends [...]
Pat Taub
In Praise of Aging Fashion Rebels
I love to see older women who are not slaves to fashion and who aren’t afraid to assert their individuality. This month two renowned actresses, Frances McDormand, 60, and Glenda Jackson, 81 received major acting awards. When they delivered their acceptance speeches both women shunned the predictable awards attire of lavish gowns, high heels, [...]
Pat Taub
“Never Again,” A 14th Birthday, Pilates & Lorraine Hansberry
“Never Again” The Parkland, Florida school shootings dominated the news again this week. In response student survivors of the shooting launched “Never Again,” their campaign for gun control. Emma Gonzalez, a senior at Parkland High made national news as clips of her rousing speech circulated on the Internet. March 24th has [...]
Pat Taub
Unforgettable Black Women Writers
For Black History Month I want to honor some of the brilliant African American women writers that have enlarged my worldview. I’m particularly indebted to Audre Lorde, bell hooks, Alice Walker, Angela Davis and Lucille Clifton. I discovered them in the pre-internet era of the ‘80’s and ‘90’s when face-to-face communication was often [...]
Pat Taub