I love reading your musings - and deeply respect that you have the commitment to do it every week ....from wherever you are. Thanks for sharing your pearls of wisdom.

As I blogged yesterday,
Make someone happy and you will be happy too.

It is especially pleasurable to give a gift of something you don’t use to somebody that will use and cherish it. Think of all the things in your attic, garage and basement that you never use that could make someone happy or make their lives easier. Give it away!

I once admired a bracelet my cousin was wearing. She took it off and gave it to me saying she never wore it and didn't even remember where she got it. I wear it all the time and have repeated that gesture of giving away something I no longer want to someone who wants it many times.

I have a friend who says that giving a gift to someone you love is the most selfish thing because of the joy you get from it. Savoring their reaction and pleasure is as much fun as receiving.

Well said (to all of you). Yes, the wonderful feeling that comes from seeing the happiness of someone else is "priceless". My husband lived by that---and you allowed me to begin my day with a smile remembering the many times he would just say to someone---you really like that, its yours! Thank you all for that gift.

So from whom did you derive such pleasure? If I could I'd re-purpose the turtle to my step-mom.

I love giving the perfect gift!!!

Giving and receiving are identical, one is not "better," spiritually speaking. I hate that this myth is perpetuated.
The feeling of sharing is precious and to be able to know someone well enough to share something they will enjoy/understand/cherish is priceless.

Wonderful blog, as always, Fred. There is one thing I would never give away, even if I could ~ the experience of these past 48 years together, many years including Gotham! Thank you for all of it!

Derf , I've learned so much from our unorthodox friendship . Your innate ability to "agree to disagree" and keep on Keepin' on " has taught me a degree of tolerance . Thanks for sharing your Gotham group . I've made some friends and I suppose some enemies as well . Certainly I've won over some of Fred's Army at this point . Sharing has always been a big part of my life . It's the key to our survival as a people . I get much less if any joy from getting . Mostly humbled if not embarassed to the point of being "squirmy." But giving opens my heart . I watch the animals share . It's innate to them . Humans have a tougher time . I'm rambling . Thanks for sharing your passions with me . It's opened my perspective . See ? You can teach an old dog new tricks brother !

Hollander Sends

That’s for sure . No shortage of them !

Looks like you received more turtles :-)