Teppy, I'm so behind in bitches, but I just wanted to say how sorry I was to hear about The Alchemist.

The Man Who Draws in His Sleep

Back in 2008, Alex reported on Lee Hadwin, an artist who only draws in his sleep. Hadwin’s had a bit of success since then, selling pieces for up to “six figures” and even one to The Donald himself.

While there are countless documented cases of sleep-walking, this is the first known case of sleep-drawing. Hadwin got started at age 4, when he scribbled on walls and furniture. Now some of his pieces fetch six-figure prices. Still, the North Wales native doesn’t want to make art his career. He never studied art, and is lousy at drawing when awake. “Art has never interested me at all,” says Hadwin, as quoted by the BBC. But just in case, he now prepares by leaving a sketchpad, brushes, and other art supplies in his bedroom.

Some of his work: [link]

That is both freaky and very cool. Plus "drawing in your sleep" has got the be the easiest way to make a six-figure income.

The Incident wasn't really that interesting. My parents went out to a national forest and cut down a tree to use, um legally. There were saw injuries, vehicular damage, and the tree seemed much smaller in a forest than in an apartment--guy wires were employed.

The Incident wasn't really that interesting.

Yeah. I'm going to pretend the incident was you creating your own lights for the tree (maybe a Jacob's ladder) which set fire to the tree.

That sounds more like something Jilli and Cass would get together to do.

Gud, on the other hand, would be more likely to construct an elaborate tree stand, possibly with a witty reference to his favorite book or movie at the time.

Woolworth's lasted longer in Canada than in the US.

They were all gone by the mid-nineties. I used always buy my socks at Woolco. Sigh.

I've been thinking about getting a fake tree...as a 2nd tree. Which is kind of ridiculous considering the size of my house. And that I am never actually there on Xmas day. I may have to have a party to justify the 2nd tree.

Sue, you could have a tree-trimming party. And then, in the new year, a tree un-trimming party (which is the part I always hated).

I've got a rather large fake Christmas tree that I bought about 13 years ago. It was when pre-lit trees were still a relatively newish thing and really pricey, so the one I have has to have lights strung on it. I've been accumulating ornaments for it over the years, but even with all of the ones I currently have on the tree, it's still only 2/3rds full. (I keep the side of the tree facing the balcony door bare except for the lights and ribbon, since no one can see that side, as I'm on the third floor.)

I've just ordered ornament cross-stitch kits for both present giving and for myself; they were only $5 apiece, and should take about 4-5 days to finish each. Also, the Celtic shop my family and I went to down in Florida a few weeks ago yielded a really cool-looking Welsh dragon ornament that I just love.

Toddson, I am too much of an Xmas Tree control freak to have a tree trimming party. Or else, I'd have to rearrange everything, like I do when my family "help" me decorate my parents' tree. I believe my best friend called me a Nazi the one time I had her over to decorate the tree.