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...
Women’s Friendships6
Valentines for the Women in My Heart
What better time than Valentine’s Day to pay homage to some of the remarkable women who helped shaped me? My mother, Jane Conrad, provided me with a love for art, escorting me to my first art museum (Washington, DC’s National Gallery of Art) at age 9. I was awed by the marble columns and huge masterpieces in elaborate gold frames. Mother [...]
Pat Taub
A Cure for Loneliness: Building Community
Guest Blog by Joie Grandbois At the age of 39 I made the decision to return to school to pursue my bachelor’s degree. At that time, I had a vibrant circle of friends with a very active social life. My weekends were spent dancing, brunching with friends, and making music with fellow artists. I was very active in my spiritual community, hosting [...]
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
Iceland Memories, Traveling with Grandkids & Praying for Peace
Back from Vacation Short Takes returns after a two-week hiatus when I was on vacation. I spent five days in San Francisco and then flew to Chicago where my grandkids live. We flew from Chicago to Iceland to join a National Geographic Family Expedition. Icelandic Women Older women in Iceland display a confidence and ease with aging, very [...]
Pat Taub
Women’s Friendships, Beatrix at Dinner & Avocado Toast
The Magic of Women’s Friendships As I age I increasingly value my close female friendships. It’s comforting to grow old with women who can resonate with the challenges of aging and the settling in that accompanies it. I was reminded of the vitality of women’s friendships when I spotted these two old friends in animated discussion over [...]
Pat Taub
Getting to the Beach, Young Feminists and The War on Women
Marching (briefly) with Pride Supporters Last Friday night, the day before the big Saturday Pride March, I was walking to dinner with my friend Lisa when we encountered a group of unofficial Pride marchers, undaunted by the rain, marching in a take-back-the-streets spirit. We briefly joined in, staying with the group for a few blocks [...]
Pat Taub