Great, Josie! What a good idea! Do the proceeds go to a NGO? I’ll check it out.

Good gracious, Josie. They should be invited to perform for the Inauguration. I’ve heard far worse at them, in my life, and they fit right into President-Elect Obama’s mission.

I hear you, Christine. That’s why it’s important to always take care of oneself, first - then we have room for others in our cup; otherwise, the cup can never be filled because it wasn’t sealed to begin with. As women over the years there was more praise for what was given up for others than for self-development, but even now, on a macro level, we know that our entire country cannot continue until we stop, go back, and start to heal ourselves first before helping other nations. It’s no different on an individual level. That’s why I always tell women to put perfume under their own noses first, instead of wearing it for others to enjoy the scent. ;0) In truth, I’m very concerned about this middle-aged adult generation, although I know it’s always been a concern to “older adults” (ala Shakespeare). I had a phone call this morning from a niece I haven’t heard from in years, in her mid-30s who’s essentially never worked, is single, no formal education (could not get one if she tried), and lives off her wealthy grandmother of 96 years of age (who has supported her as a controlling mechanism). This person was impertinent, assuming, rude, threatening, and just plain a mess. AI tried twice to tell her to “let go” of things over which she had no control, and it did no good - she’s a very destructive person - and I had to finally insist on her respect of terminate the phone call. Now, that’s ridiculous behavior. How anyone can live to her age of 35 and never move out of her station in life is beyond me. I don’t fine her all that unusual among some others her age, albeit in different living circumstances. Frankly, I’d be afraid of anyone like her seeing over me. Now, you think of how you can take better care of you - what you enjoy the most, and plan on creating that around you, first and foremost. Go out now and buy yourself a fresh flower, so you can see it, smell it, and in some way “dance” to your heart’s content. We’re here for you. Christmas is only 1 day in 365, and it’s not what 90% of the people think it is. That’s why the focus of this question was on gifts. I suggest that people re-gift this year - it’s fun.

The sound of the wind-up clock ticking and the whirr of the appliances inside a cold apartment…been there and done that on some holidays past. Isolation can be very numbing. The best thing we can give to someone often is our time.