Is 2025 the Year to Gather?

I had so much fun at the library volunteer shift. First hour was quiet, just read and picked out a few books for my grandson and a book for hubby. You earn between $7.50 and $9 in books each shift. I ended up giving $2 since I took 4 board books. It felt right to pay for them because those always sell well (50 cents each). The rest of the shift was busy and fun to talk books with kids and adults.

No need to fear spiders lol

Speaking of talking books ... bookclub hike today and there are 3 (plus me) signed up to come. I'm excited and I hope this means the bookclub is back in business. I'll suggest another meetup in January, after the holidays since we can only meet on the weekends. Trying to breathe life into this group because I really enjoy the women. Smart, interesting, kind. It's a good group.

Speaking of groups ... a member of the local Camino chapter posted about doing some regular hikes at a local mountain. I put my name into the hat because these are the type of people I want in my life. I know the local chapter is inclusive and kind. It feels like a safe place to be with people during a hard time in this country. Support and community are what is going to get us through this -- more important than ever.

Speaking of community ... I had an idea yesterday and I really love it. I've wanted to host a bookclub that meets twice a year to chat books. I'll host each time if no one else wants a go. There will be a theme (favorite childhood books, or mysteries, or favorite books ever, etc). There will general book talk and take home book things and a lunch. I've had this idea since 2019 and it was on my list for 2020. We know how that went. The problem is I cleaned house over the pandemic and I don't have enough friends who read, whose schedules coordinate, who have an interest. Dang. 

Here's my idea. Instead of a bookclub (for now), I'll do a garden club at my house. I'll have seeds and information. We can exchange garden tips and plan our spring gardens. Since GA has an early growing season, we can do this in February when schedules are easier and planning starts. I absolutely love the idea and I think I have enough gardening friends with similar schedules to make this work. Meeting with a purpose, solving a problem, offering community and garden support. Stay tuned.

I got the idea from Priya Parker -- gather to solve a problem. A problem solution entices people to come. Since most of my friends are occasional readers (not avid readers), I didn't think a book lunch would interest them enough to make an effort. But gardeners love tips, and seeds, and a push to get the garden ready, etc. This type of gathering should fill a need. 

I'm sensing a gathering theme for 2025. I'm taking Priya Parker's class in January and I hope this spurs me to host and gather more. For a few years, I've wanted to socialize one-on-one for the most part. This year I've had a pull to gather in small groups (that community pull), but I don't have small groups of friends. I have an individual friends that don't necessarily share interests or schedules. I've invited a few together to do craft things, etc, but it hasn't worked out. I'm looking (and trying) ways to gather them and add to my community.

Dinner parties aren't interesting enough to me (at least how I traditionally have hosted). I'm excited to get creative and gather with intention. 

Have a good Saturday. Later gators.