How Bizarre Is This For A Birthday Present?

[dance2trance]

For my birthday my brother gave me a bag of organic rice and a 10 page recipe book he bought in a flea market 2 years ago. He is 62. Is this early alzheimer's? He was unaware that it was in any way odd and was surprised when I looked shocked.

[snags]

''Is this early alzheimer's?''

Could be. Give them back to him this Christmas and see if he notices.

[Elina]

You know your brother better than anyone else. Doesn't sou d right to me. if your gut feeling is telling you something, it's usually right. Whether it's Alzheimer's I couldn't say.

[tamborine]

Fill socks with rice and knot end. Makes ideal heat warmers to nuke and ease muscle pain. Dont forget to make one for your bruv.

[douglas9401]

Would it not be endlessly annoying having all that rice between your toes though?

[MallyJ]

I am jealous...at least your brother remembered and marked the day....mine didn't even bother with a card this year... I would be grateful, use the rice and see if there are any recipes I would like to try. Maybe he has a bit of a problem with his finances.

[ummmm]

I don't really think it's a sign of Alzheimer's.

[EDDIE51]

Don't be to quick to judge, he may be short of cash and is doing the best he can. He may also think the 'flea market book ' is a rare and valuable find!

[Old_Geezer]

Is it odd ? How much do you two normally spend on each other ? How big a bag ? I trust that the rice wasn't bought with the book. Do you not like rice ?

Unsure that you should have expressed shock.

[chrissa1]

I don't think it's early Alzheimers, at all. If he is short of funds, it's a thoughtful and quirky gift.

[cassa333]

As has been said it could be a funds issue. He may have come to an age that he just can't be bothered to do birthdays any more or maybe he doesn't like you much any more lol

Only think of Alzheimer's if it is totally out of character. Maybe keep an eye on him for a while.

[dance2trance]

Short of funds! Not. He has just gone on a trip to Spain, France, Italy, Indonesia, and Australia back next year! It was a little bag of rice. I could make a rice pudding I guess. He usually spends on lavish gifts ie Fortnums chocolates and me too hence the odd behaviour. I shall keep a weather eye on future behaviour. Thanks folk.

[atalanta]

My brother sent me a box of light bulbs (twice). I don't think he's potty, just very short of ideas.
Maybe the rice was what your brother would have bought for himself, and thought you might welcome.

[tamborine]

He is clearing out prior to his voyage. He might forget to return home & you could have a cleared property to occupy.

My bruv did same before moving to Oz. Only he dumped our family treasures; old photos/vinyls/vids/ornaments/diplomas etc lots of family heirlooms that cant be replaced. I hope spiders haunt him!

[roopower]

My mother in law is reconfiguring which means she's giving away presents people have given her in the past. She gave me something I'd actually given her! She sees it as being clever and is quite upfront about it!

[jennyjoan]

Roopower - that is a very common thing LOL

[hereIam]

If he had alzheimers he probably would have forgotten your birthday altogether. He sounds quite a character, wish my brother would remember my birthday.

[duntocher]

Probably can't think of a gift for you, have you tried a gentle hint,
or telling him what you would really love to have.