I propose that we enlarge Mother’s Day to honor not just our biological mothers but our spiritual mothers as well. They are the...
“Compassionate Journey,” Bonn Climate Change Conference, Portland Yard Signs & More
“Compassionate Journey:” A Nonfiction Book in Pre-Publication This week I had tea with Jane Sloven (pictured below) where she shared the manuscript for her collaborative book project, “Compassionate Journey.” Jane and four other women have produced a collection of their mother stories. I’m very moved by this endeavor because it [...]
Pat Taub
Diving Into Food Memories
If I had a time machine, I’d revisit cherished food memories, entering into those moments where food connected me to love and warm hospitality. I first invited someone to the table at age three. I had a ritual of tugging my just-home-from-work father into my playroom where a miniature tea set was centered on a child-sized table. My father [...]
Pat Taub
Tuesday’s Election, “Hillbilly Elegy,” My Medical Marijuana Card & More!
A Hopeful Tuesday Tuesday’s election didn’t land us where we need to be as a country, but it went a long way towards countering Trumpism. The Trump candidate in Virginia lost. Charlotte, NC elected it’s first Black female mayor. Eight transgender candidates won seats in local and state governments while sizeable numbers of women won [...]
Pat Taub
My Online Dating Saga
If you’re an older woman who’s contemplating joining an online dating service be prepared for a lot of rejection, way too many boring dates, men who are unbelievably self-absorbed and ribbing from friends with asides like, ”Where are you hiding Mr. Right?” Given the blows to my self-esteem delivered by online dating. why haven’t [...]
Pat Taub
Social Inequality, Images of Social Inequality, Halloween & More
Signs of Social Inequality Here’s a photo from Hannaford’s Portland, Maine parking lot. I took the photo looking directly into the sun, which is why it’s faded, but the message comes through. It has the ring of “Grapes of Wrath” 2017 style. Heart-breaking to imagine what life is like for the inhabitants of this van. [...]
Pat Taub
After the Sobbing, the Sorting
Guest post by Janet Weil A favorite Jack Kornfield book title of mine is “After the Ecstasy, the Laundry” — modern stories and ancient tales of dealing with life’s day-to-day challenges after the ecstasy of spiritual epiphanies. That phrase frequently ran through my mind as I faced a long to-do list after my mother, [...]
Pat Taub
A Lovely Older Woman, Smiles, Grandson Max & Joan Didion
Joan, A Lovely Older Woman Last Sunday I stopped by Aurora, a neighborhood coffee house/ gourmet food store. Joan was in line in front of me. I was struck by her poise and warm smile. When I asked to photograph her, she didn’t hesitate. I admired her orange scarf, which she said was a favorite of her late husband, explaining she was wearing [...]
Pat Taub
#MeToo
Guest post by Mary Beth Danielson I’m not usually cranky. Then I got a cold. I rarely get colds. What’s going on? Of course I have #metoo incidents. Like most women I have several stories of harassment and, yes, one of assault. As self-aware women do, I’ve been poking at my crankiness. Why am I mad? Why does this rankle? I have [...]
Pat Taub
White Privilege, A Cottage, Chicago Cubs & Resisting #45
Entering into White Privilege Discussions I’m co-facilitating a White Privilege 6 week discussion series with a youngish female minister. We had our first 90-minute session Tuesday evening, attended by 10 white people, 7 women and 3 men. The average age was somewhere in the 60’s with members uniformly saying that they want to do their [...]
Pat Taub
Fall Reads That WOW!
Eureka! I’ve discovered a strategy for taking on the Orange Monster: engrossing books that transport me, like a time machine, to other worlds, where I can temporarily forget about our current politics. My favorite fall reads have ushered me into the worlds of Chinese immigrants in San Francisco in the late 1890’s; into Moscow’s dwindling [...]
Pat Taub