Here it is two days to go, and due to what we;re doing, I decided to open the package from Fibula Mattock this evening. It took a long time to arrive for some odd reason, about 3 weeks in the mail, so I decided to wait until Christmas. I almost made it, but I wanted to see what it was and say thanks now in case I didn't have time later.....not that there's a big rush or anything. In any case, I'm glad I did because I don't know what to say about this book.

Fibs, what a WONDERFUL gift!!!! It is indeed like sending a bit of yourself...a truly excellent piece of work. The book is Blooming Meadows, The World of Irish Traditional Musicians. ANd that is the key...it's about musicians as much as music...moreso. I've leafed through and read several chapters and I am hooked. There is alwys more to music than music. Music is about the people who make it and who they are, what they bring........The phots are equally compelling as you can hear music and see real living in the faces. Great photographer, captures a lot. I cannot express my thnaks any better than to say that this is the finest possible gift for anyone to receive. The giver shares a part of themselves and it don't get better than that. (Mick would die for this book....if he's nice, I might share)

And now.........Also in the package was a chocolate bar which lasted something in the neighborhood of 37 seconds. We all tried a piece and when I turned around again, the boys had offed the rest! But here was more...a gift for Spaw....with Spaw in mind....and in the air.....A flatulent (or worse) gift that Fibs knew I would appreciate. I now have this little Santa guy, real cute smile, a bit bent over, and when you press him down........................yeah, you got it....he craps a little "pellet" out his ass! Fibula was nice enough to send pretty red and green sugar candy pellets, but she also sent a refill pack in the more "traditional" brown. This too was a big hit with the boys and I can see Old Nick poppin' out a few when we have guests.

Fibs, I cannot say thank you enough. A fantastic present and now I feel really bad that I didn't get the other stuff shipped to Blackcatter.....but he did like the CD so that's something.

I'll post this on both threads and get a picture to Mary ASAP.

Spaw