I wore the scarf out last night and got a number of compliments. I lurves it.

This makes me happy.

I may be an optimist to a degree that is actually fucked-up

This used to be me, and I need to go back there. It is not a bad place to be.

I once had an astrologer reader type person tell me I was optimistic, then corrected herself and said, "no, you are steadfastly optimistic in the face of certain disaster." I miss that.

You are welcome, Jilli!

I hope the book is interesting. I scoured my local second-hand book shop...which I think you'd find simultaneously hilarious and frightening. It's a tiny row house so packed with books that the fire marshal visits regularly and the floor is continuously threatening to give way. I can't believe my luck in finding one that you haven't read!

Please tell me that you did find the bottle of ink. After sending the box off, I worried that I might have buried it too well.

Enjoy! And all the very best in the new year.

I scoured my local second-hand book shop...which I think you'd find simultaneously hilarious and frightening. It's a tiny row house so packed with books that the fire marshal visits regularly and the floor is continuously threatening to give way.

In other words, my favorite type of second-hand book shop.

Please tell me that you did find the bottle of ink.

No? But as soon as I finish my tea and pry Miss Erzabet off my lap, I will go unearth it. Thank you!

Jilli, I was afraid of that. Look inside the small roll of black paper that was in between the two ceramic pieces. It's in a wee black net bag.

This has been a pretty good year for me - I was able to pursue my dream of writing about beer professionally, and I haven't gone to any funerals.

Look inside the small roll of black paper that was in between the two ceramic pieces. It's in a wee black net bag.

Ah-ha! I found it, and it is now sitting on the altar. Thank you again!

Okay, technically not a Secret Santa thing, but still: included in the Buffy bounty from sj's library sale was a Gorey Holiday card, a cute little duckie dressed for winter weather and a little kaleidoscope! Really, people, when's the last time you looked through a kaleidoscope? It's really very zen.

Thanks so much, sj, you really made me smile!

P.S. The check's in the mail (or will be, the next time mail goes out).

Thanks so much, sj, you really made me smile!

Yay! I'm glad you liked everything. We've picked up Gorey Holiday cards every year at the Gorey museum since we were married in Cape Cod, but we save them for people we know who will appreciate them. I was going back and forth with the duckie and the kaleidoscope. I couldn't decide if people were going to think they were cool or childish, but I love them.

I love kaleidoscopes