Author Archives: Natalie Gelman

Recommendation

The best series I have seen is Fellow Travelers on Showtime. The actors, Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey are outstanding. The theme is homosexuality and how society and government handled it beginning in the McCarthy era.

Insightful and emotional.

Talent

I went to see the display at Ari’s fashion school where they take an after-school class. Five of their creations were shown, a dress, a shirt, a hat, and bag, and a pair of children’s pants. Incredible.

Ari has diverse interests and pursuits.

Exhilarating

Isaac and Ari came over for dinner. We talked. We made dinner. We cleaned up. We walked to see the street of holiday lights, which we have not done in years. It was so special catching up with both of them.

The connection deepens.

Vacation

I am going to Hawaii for the first time. I am from the Midwest (Michigan), We go to the Caribbean. I have been to many islands there. Now I have lived in California long enough to experience the primary vacation place here.

Off I go with Julie.

Bonus

We had our annual Carrie and Erik birthday party at my house. Before dessert, we Facetimed with Jules and Isaac. It was great to have everyone there.

My family.

Depressing

Too many suicides in this country, 132 a day. The issue is loneliness, though many do not use that word, unaware of the effect of not being around people. Invite people to engage in conversations. Get together. If suicidal, call 988.

The End Of A Newspaper

I have been writing a feature column for the Alameda Sun for many years. They have decided to close the business for financial reasons. It was a valuable paper for Alameda with a strong relationship to the city for local news.

A loss for many.

My Loss

I was invited to a poetry reading event at Ari’s school where he will read the poem he wrote, Prose Were The Days. Unfortunately, it is during the week at 6 PM. I choose not to make the drive then. I am inviting him to read it at Thanksgiving dinner.

The family’s gain, hopefully.

Incredible

I stayed with Marjie in Michigan. One evening she wanted to watch the Michigan/Michigan State football game. We did. It was the first athletic event besides figure skating I had watched in a year.

I was her guest.

Assertion

Went for lunch with a group of women. One did not finish her French Toast. She said she would not take them home. I told her I would. She likes to cook; I do not. The woman next to me said she was going to ask for them.

I won.