The garden club meeting was okay-ish, but I'm feeling torn. It has potential to feel like something "old" me would do, not "future" me. This is more a social garden group than actual gardening -- this was the annual planning meeting setting up one event on the last Tuesday of each month. Every other suggestion or comment was something about an add-on of wine for each social event. Lots of joking, but it was the kind of interaction I'm tired of having. This is a gardening group -- with a lot less garden talk than I expected. It's like bookclubs that don't talk about the book.
That said, everyone was welcoming and I felt included.
Some of the events and speakers sound interesting, but I'm not interested in the actual people in the group (which seems very snobby).
Take February -- the trip is to the botanical gardens for the big orchid event. I really like the idea, but don't have any interest in going with this group. My bookclub -- sure. A friend -- yep. A bunch of woman chatting over each other to deafening levels -- nope.
And, some of the women are significantly older which isn't an issue except for mobility on some of the events. Two ladies walk very poorly with a cane and they're going as long as they can carpool. The botanical gardens are over acres and acres with lots of hill walking. How's it going to work? My guess is it'll be a very slow moving group. That's fine, but maybe not fine for me.
It also bugged me how many things got taken off the table because of the drive (40 minutes was too long). There's something nice about very local, but to not do something because you need to drive is a disappointing reason. The botanical garden trip is the "big" drive for the year and most people want to carpool and NOT be the driver. They vetoed a few good ideas because they already were taking a long drive to the gardens this YEAR. I'm always happy for a shorter drive, but how is 40 minutes too long?
I'm not trying to be judgmental (here comes the judgement), but most of the woman complaining about driving are just a little older than me. I know some of the ladies are significantly older and/or have some physical limitations and I understand they need to be a passenger. But, the rest with ... "I just haaate to drive" excuses were annoying and I immediately judged them as closed mindset people. Nothing wrong with a carpool -- saves gas, keeps company, etc. but there was a big discussion if a few people didn't volunteer to drive, they'd take it off the calendar.
Does one meeting determine the whole shebang? Shouldn't I give it a try? Or, should I listen to my gut and say this group isn't for me -- just go to the events and topics that interest me and bail on the social aspect.
I actually signed up for coaching on this next week. Where is the line for me -- going with the flow, less judgmental ... or is this a step back to the type of group I don't want and that's why I'm being snarky? I will attend some of the month's events so maybe that's enough of an involvement. I'm conflicted about it though. Good problem for coaching to get some clarity.
But, I'm glad I went to see what's what. The club uses space at a senior center building from the mid 1800s. It's a gorgeous historic house being used for community space. It was a treat to get to go in -- normally it's only for seniors. I wish I took pictures.
Enough rambling this morning. Have a good one -- later gators.
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