Dear Santa:

The year has been kind to me and mine. Good health, peace at home, enough to eat, and all that stuff. I hope all is well with you up north of the North Country. But I'm having a little trouble with my wish list this year. I already have more books than I can read and more music than I can listen to. Gadgets--plenty, chatchkes--up the chimney, warm clothes--got it covered. I could wish for warmer weather, but I wouldn't want to wish away the pure clean light the cold brings each morning. And so it is for almost anything I could wish for--to have it would be to lack for something else. So instead, I'll just wish that you have a safe globe-hop this year. Stop in for a cookie if you get a moment. Your friend,

Dale