The act of someone who picks up or takes something

This means that there are few people of quality or value to her personal life within her family and friends. When you say "slim pickings" you can mean there are simply few available, or that the ones which remain are of poor value or quality. Normally this implies that others have taken first, and so there is little left for you, but not always.

Slim Pickings means: A small amount left after others have taken a share. For example, After each of the children took what they wanted of Mother's things, it was slim pickings for the rest of the family . This expression alludes to animals devouring a carcass.