A Strategic Retreat in Everyday Ramblings

Yes, I know I could alter the photo and take the wire line out, but I like these markers that what you are seeing is what I am seeing, living plants in real gardens here where I live… not some sort of idealized version. Those have their place too.

I am particularly fond of botanical drawings and wish I could do them myself. Perhaps in my next lifetime, along with running, accomplished ice skating, wildlife photography and a host of other things I will never get around to in this body.

This is being an oddly reflective time for me. The recent decade marking birthday may have had something to do with that. The transition into this new nonprofit role as well. A transition that is a bit bumpy, not in a bad way, just in the way things go in a volunteer organization where folks are stretched thin, and opinions are strongly held. The plans for things yesterday got squashed at the last minute so I was cut loose. Hey, at least my laundry got done.

Today I am uncharacteristically bailing on a couple of events for my other nonprofit. See previous post. I am toast. As an introvert, (I am not totally convinced the science on this is genuine, but anecdotally it feels right) spending time in social circumstances can be an energy drain. That is how I feel, drained.

By the way, Carlo is fine, the furry guy had a big boy hairball, a result of the heat and all and his fastidious grooming habits it seems. Everything is back to normal, and I am sleeping well.

Anyway, with the disturbing political news and this sense of dread about the future that seems to be in play in the polity I am taking a beat to look at what I would like the next five years of my life to look like.

Much to my surprise on Friday I went to an Endowment Committee meeting and enjoyed myself. These are the folks that are stewards of the funds we as an organization have accumulated over time. This is a member led organization and almost all our funding comes from our annual dues that in my chapter are $80 a year.

We have gotten a few small grants and have a few modest endowments.
We are tiny compared to most of these kinds of organizations. We have outsized name recognition because of the work of all the women (mostly) that have come before us, and the incredible work of those over time who worked fearlessly for suffrage. I am so grateful to be able to vote.

Anyway, it was a lively and congenial discussion of what we think might happen after the election with our investments. I am there as an observer, not a voting member as the Treasurer. My whole professional career involved money after I realized I wasn’t cut out for hands on health care. I am a kind of hybrid nerd, and the meeting was fun for me. It was like reconnecting with old friends.

Clearly this role I have taken on, while stressful, is a good match for me, and they all have made it clear they are happy to have me in it.

I am sure six months from now I will be reflecting on the folly of this with all the strong personalities involved, but for now I am good.

Okay, so, I will continue on with my reflections…where I have been, where I am, and where I am going. I am supposed to have another CT scan of my jaw in September and then in October we will decide if I am going to go forward with what I hope is the last implant.

After that I hope to save for a proper vacation. A true getaway, maybe even one where I can go for long walks and swim. Someplace with a buffet meal service where I can choose healthy options. I have no interest in cruising so it would most likely be a land-based retreat.

And in the meantime, I need to find ways to look after myself that are restorative and relaxing. I can do that, as it is good modeling for my students. The folks I plan to keep working with for at least the next five years.

I am person with (a developing) plan.