If you’re casting about for a way to take the edge off Trump’s wrecking ball, I heartily recommend the uplifting powers of a great...
family10
Country Images, Democratic Convention, Mail Mess & More!
Country Snapshots I’ve been spending most of the week this summer at my country retreat in Waldoboro, Maine. Last Sunday, with two old friends, I attended a dinner at a pig farm that hosts monthly meals in their charming meadow. Here’s two photos from the dinner: a mama pig and her piglets and tables ready for guests. It was a little [...]
Pat Taub
How Did We Become So Obsessed with Aging?
My grandmothers and mother lived into their 80’s, transitioning into old age with only minimal complaints. They didn’t take mega doses of vitamins, or exercise madly to stave off the Grim Reaper. Nor were they bombarded with advice on how to slow the aging process. Both of my grandmothers dressed up almost every day. My paternal grandmother [...]
Pat Taub
John Lewis, “Jaws” in Maine, A Green Burial & More!
John Lewis This week belonged to the memory of John Lewis, who died on July 17th. I watched footage of the 25-year-old Lewis, being beaten within an inch of his life, when crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama in a march for voting rights. Lewis made one final crossing of the bridge in a horse-drawn carriage holding his flag-draped [...]
Pat Taub
The Pleasures of Age
GUEST POST by EDWARD MOONEY Age is a time for looking back— on a life, on a family; on a vocation, a profession. It’s a time for pleasant memories from the past and also for present day by day enjoyments— enjoying a community orchestra, a choir, an invitation to lunch or dinner. It’s a time to phone family, to walk for a cappuccino, [...]
Pat Taub
Silver Linings From the Lockdown
In the beginning of my lockdown I was antsy: irritated at not being able to see friends, eat out, and plan a summer trip with my grandchildren. My days were endless and depressing. Once I settled into the lockdown, I began to re-examine my lifestyle choices. Why had I been making all those trips to the mall for clothes I didn’t need, or [...]
Pat Taub
Why Do Mothers-in-Law Have a Negative Image?
When my oldest son became engaged, a luncheon was arranged to introduce me to his finance’s family. The scrutiny I received from my future daughter-in-law’s sisters made me feel like they were from the CIA. I experienced the uncomfortable sensation that I was being sized-up to determine the extent to which I’d be a problematic mother-in-law. [...]
Pat Taub
Good Medicine: Handwritten Letters in the Time of Covid-19
GUEST POST by ZOE FITZGERALD-BECKETT Texting, and tweeting, and all the social media posting apps are a part of life now and serving in their way to keep us informed and in touch. But as a prescription for healing and strengthening our spirits during COVID-19, I recommend picking up a pen and writing a letter. Two years ago, a health [...]
Pat Taub
May Day, Tara Reade, Coping with Humor & More!
May Day, 2020 May Day is traditionally the holiday for Beltane, which celebrates earth’s fertility as trees and plants awaken from their winter slumber while farmers and gardeners plant new seedlings. Numerous rituals honor the Divine Mother with outdoor dances and prayers—although sadly this year most Beltane rituals will be online [...]
Pat Taub
Hibernation Crazies, Zoom, A Good Read & More!
Hibernation Update I’m now in week 5 of my isolation. I thought I had it down, but yesterday I hit a wall when it dawned on me that I could be facing months of isolation. Depression was looming. The Hibernation Crazies had come for me! Suddenly I realized I hadn’t taken a daily walk for two days. In spite of the overcast sky [...]
Pat Taub
Banishing the “I’m Not Being Productive” Guilt
“I feel guilty because I have all this time at home and I’m not being productive.” This is a common response I’ve been hearing from friends and seeing on Facebook postings. Enough! Let’s put an end to these harsh self-judgments. The “productive” path right now is to give yourself time to adjust to the coronavirus’ mandated [...]
Pat Taub