Took a trip with my daughter Julie.  Went to Puerta Vallarta, Mexico.  The choice was an all-inclusive so that we had minimal decisions to make.

When Julie returned from a journey recently to Arizona, she brought me a gift of small containers of spicy condiments.  She knows my taste, or lack of it.

The first night we went to the Mexican restaurant.  The food was bland.  Very disappointing.  It turned out most of the meals were less than tasty.  We ate out at a place we discovered 26 years earlier on a trip there, and it was excellent.

We did relax.  The time was wonderful, particularly with her.  I would do it again.

I was on a return flight from Los Angeles.  There was a boy around two years old seated across from me.  During the flight, one of the adults sitting next to him talked to the woman behind me.  It was evident they were traveling together.  Near the end of the trip, the boy referred to this woman as Mommy.  The whole journey, Andrew (I learned his name) stayed in his seat, spoke softly, played, munched and drank.

When I was getting off of the plane, I said to the mother, “Great job raising him.”  She smiled and said, “You don’t know how meaningful it is to hear a comment like that.”

But, I do.  We complain when children are too noticeable on our flights, but we do not compliment when they are a pleasure.

Positive regard.  I encourage it.

I was at a business meeting the other day, and we were reviewing a fundraiser we had done.  I noticed that the term “older women” was used often to describe many of the people who had been very helpful and contributory to the fundraiser.  After I heard the term a few times, I made a comment, noting that the age bracket was not necessary to stipulate in this context.

I know, you are shocked that I said anything.

When I had surgery recently, the assistant to the anesthesiologist came into the room to ask me questions.  We finished, and then she wheeled me into the operating room.  When we entered, the anesthesiologist introduced herself.  I commented on my pleasure that both were women.  They did not respond.

I appreciate that these women achieved what they did.  I hope they do too.

I missed free breakfast at my business group meeting last week.  I was having a colonoscopy, so most understand why I was unable to attend the meeting.  I will return to day.  Should I order a breakfast and pay for it just to compensate for the once a month one I missed?  I never eat breakfast anyway.  It is just the idea.

Coffee will be my order.  Sometimes I am able to ruminate about minor things.

Got a call from my daughter who works in Thousand Oaks.  The area was evacuated due to a wild fire.  There are thousands of employees where she works. She was stuck in the parking lot surrounded by black sky during daylight.  No cars were moving.  She was scared, so was I.  She was low on gas.  More to worry about.

It took her two hours to get home.  The panic never ceases.

I was scheduled for a 45-minute phone consultation with the anesthesia department.  They were to call between 9-11 am.  I arranged clients accordingly. They did not call.  I called them.  “Oh, my, I need to talk to the supervisor; you were supposed to be the first call.”  Another call comes in.  It is the person I was scheduled with, apologizing for being late.  We went over the prep and arrangements.

I chose to remain optimistic that their timing will be accurate during surgery.

When I turned forty, I decided to not refer to people by their titles anymore (Dr., Mr., Mrs., Ms., Professor, Father, etc.).  I was an adult and we could all be on a first name basis.  I have followed this decision.  I encourage my clients to call me Natalie, not Dr. Gelman.  I respect whatever choice they make.

Last night I went to a small social gathering to interact with the new Rabbi of the Temple I belong to.  A woman asked her what her first name was.  She replied, “Rabbi.”  She clarified that she would not share her first name because she wants to be called Rabbi in any setting that has to do with her professional role.

I respect her decision.  I will not be close to her.

Had the family over to celebrate two birthdays.  I decided to try a new recipe for a cake.  I bake all the time, but entertain myself with new recipes periodically.  This was a peach/caramel/bourbon cake.

All of my eight guests loved it.  I did not.  I will not make it again.  I have always followed this guide to cooking.  I have to like it a lot to make it.

The recipe is available to those who want it.

When I decided to substitute part time in Maine, I had to have my fingerprints checked.  I had been living there for six years and owned a restaurant.  I discovered I had no fingerprints.  The agent asked me if I washed dishes a lot.  I told him I did pots and pans daily.  He said that would explain the problem and alternative ways of having my prints visible worked.

In California I had to have my fingerprints recorded to join the gym.  Each day I go, I enter my phone number on the machine and place my finger on the scanner.  It typically does not surface properly and I have to give additional information to get through, unless the person at the desk remembers me.

Avoid doing dishes.  It is a hazard to your identity.