Author Archives: Natalie Gelman

Zoom Meetings

A member of a business group was doing a presentation. She was speaking; there was no powerpoint. There were 13 people at the meeting. I noticed that three stayed focused on the speaker during her talk. The others were looking at other monitors, looking down at their desks, or leaving their rooms altogether. Why does this group vote to keep meeting by Zoom? Disrespectful.

I shall bring it up next week at our in-person meeting.

Losing Interest

My plan today, a Saturday, is to water my outdoor plants and do the laundry. I do not see clients on most Saturdays. I deliberated on how to spend my day. I contemplated going to the outlet mall. I have not been there in a very long time. I reflected on all of the stores, and nothing interested me. I am no longer a shopper.

Things change.

New

I have been walking the same five routes for 2 ½ years now. Every morning, I am on the road, or sidewalk, depending on my route. Yesterday I decided to create a new diversion. I counted Subaru’s parked on the street. There were four. Today’s route had six.

Is the repetition getting to me?

Pool Party

Harold, my three-year-old grandpuppy, was invited to join other dogs today in a pool purchased by a neighbor. Julie said she would buy him goggles.

Wish I could see it.

Cleaning The Temple

Each year I participate in cleaning Temple Israel before the high holidays. When I finished my job, I was sitting with some people and a very large vase was brought over with a query about where it should be put. I suggested sitting it on the floor in the middle of the social hall. And so, someone put it there.

I like to play with people’s minds.

Treasured Time

Isaac shared his photos with me from his journey to the Outward Bound experience in Colorado. It was incredible to see the beauty and challenges he was exposed to and fully enjoyed. It was more incredible to sit with him and share it.

I am a fortunate nana.

Eating Out

In one week, I had a breakfast meeting and lunches with friends on three different days. Ironically, all were going to be at the same restaurant. I called one friend and asked that we go elsewhere. The other lunches involved larger groups of people. We did change restaurants. The change ended up costing too much for what we got.

Oh, well.

Catching Up

Erik, Ellen and Ari came for dinner.  I valued hearing about Ellen’s journey to Georgia and southern California.  And Ari showed me pictures of his Quest trip.  We had already talked about it.  I am so happy they were able to go away and gain from their journeys.

Envious.

 

Friendship

Carrie’s friend Sherry came for a visit from Oregon.  They have been friends since high school.  Carrie told me about the places they went in San Francisco, the meals they ate and their conversations.  The whole disclosure was filled with the amount of enjoyment she felt, the amount she laughed, and the joy of being together.

So meaningful.

Focus

Was thrilled to be with my friends for dinner.  I became aware that our conversation was all about problems in the world and our own issues.  I asked if we could be more positive in our further discussion.  They agreed.

It turned out not to be easy.