BS: Thank you, Santa!

Subject: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: ranger1
Date: 05 Dec 09 - 05:46 PM

My pressie arrived today! I am being very good and not opening it until Christmas. Twenty days and counting...

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: gnu
Date: 05 Dec 09 - 06:35 PM

Ahhh, gwan... have a quick peek.

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: ranger1
Date: 05 Dec 09 - 06:38 PM

Nope, 'cause it might magically turn into coal!

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: My guru always said
Date: 05 Dec 09 - 07:01 PM

What a fabulous birthday I've had today!! We arrived home from the Isle of Wight to find a parcel from the other side of the world on the doorstep with an incredible amount of stamps on it!!!

Thank you my Dearest Santa, I promise I'll be good and not open it till Christmas, I don't want it to turn into a piece of coal *grin*

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: maeve
Date: 05 Dec 09 - 07:26 PM

Dear Santa,

I am impressed with your swift selection and sending of something special for me. I shall wait until Christmas Day; thus prolonging the anticipation of delight.

Thank you, thank you! (I note that you paid a hefty amount of postage...you are a noble Santa indeed!)

mirthful maeve in Maine

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: gnu
Date: 05 Dec 09 - 07:30 PM

In a shop, I saw a small metal tin with a Xmas scene and "Lump Of Coal" writen on it for $4.99... witha small lump of coal in it.

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: Rapparee
Date: 05 Dec 09 - 07:31 PM

Please note that the pressure mounts and mounts as Christmas draws near and you don't open the present. Coal is carbon, and under enough pressure it becomes diamonds. Wait for Christmas and you'll have diamonds -- big ol' rocks!

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: quokka
Date: 05 Dec 09 - 09:22 PM

I don't know if I can wait...the package is sitting there...tormenting me...it's so cruel...Oscar Wilde knew what he was talking about when he said "I can resist anything except temptation"

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: JennieG
Date: 05 Dec 09 - 11:23 PM

Is there someone in the household who can hide it from you until The Day, so you are not tempted?

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 06 Dec 09 - 02:28 AM

Why lumps of coal? I always understood that misused items of value turn into dead leaves — or, as in Thurber's brilliant 'The 13 Clocks', into tears - & then the Todal will gleep & get you!

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: Anne Lister
Date: 06 Dec 09 - 02:51 AM

We were always told that the penalty for not believing in Father Christmas or doing something wrong in the run-up to Christmas was to find coal and ashes in our pillowcases (we didn't have stockings - you can get more in a pillowcase!). I assumed it was spent fuel from the sleigh.

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 06 Dec 09 - 03:21 AM

What kind of sleigh runs on coal, Anne? Who ever heard of a steam-sleigh? & what then would the reindeer have been for?

Mind you, we had pillowcases too — greedyguts or what! I wonder Father Xmas would ever visit such greedy children as you & me at all - except perhaps, as in the German tradition, to get the birch from his sack for our bottoms instead of the prezzies for our stockings...!

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: Anne Lister
Date: 06 Dec 09 - 06:28 PM

I hope you're not expecting me to have been logical or scientific about how the sleigh was powered ... I just thought that if Father Christmas had coal and ashes to distribute it must come from somewhere. And we didn't consider that we were greedy, but pillowcases were simply the normal thing for us to put out on Christmas Eve, a tradition that obviously came from our parents. It was only later on that I realised some people really did use stockings.

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 06 Dec 09 - 07:34 PM

I decided not to participate this year - but still wish to send good cheer to all.

A Charisma Scare Roll

Go dressed team marriage end dull meant
Lit north ink cutest May
Forge eases cry star say fiord
West boor non crisp mistake,
Two safe assault from say tons spar
Win whee wore gonifs tray;
Owe, tide ink's off come fort enjoy, come fort enjoy,
Owe tye eye dink's off come fort enjoy.


An Udder Charisma Scare Roll

Oak gum ball if facefull, choy fall ant dry infant;
Gum ball ease it is sins off heavy nabob.
Gum band a door imp, barn off kinky faint shells.
Oak omelet acid Durham, oak omelet acid Durham,
Oak gum lettuce at Durhammm, cry, I still hoard.


And a harp pine gnu weir two ewe wall.

Robin

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 12:44 AM

Anne - no indeed; I thought your speculations were very good examples of that sort of childhood logic which we all fondly remember. My last post was, as I hope you realised, much more intended to be tongue-in-cheek than captious or hostile.

Merry Xmas! - Michael

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: GUEST,My Guru always said -- Her Special Santa
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 04:14 AM

Well how about that!!   And just right for a Birthday Surprise too. So fast!
Must have been all those stamps that got the parcel going right through the Middle Earth.
Have a lovely Christmas Dear Santee.
Still-secret-Santa

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: Anne Lister
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 06:38 AM

Michael, I did indeed realise your post wasn't entirely serious ... but I was also intrigued at my own childhood logic (or lack of) and the memory that pillowcases were so much the norm in our house that stockings seemed amazingly exotic. Mind you, I had friends who received Father Christmas presents that were mind-bogglingly expensive by comparison with what we had in those pillowcases - every family has its own traditions, clearly.

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: Severn
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 08:41 AM

Dear Santa,

I hope you're feeling better.

My present apparently came Friday night, delivered by elves while I was out at the FSGW open sing. Since it came earlier than expected, Hash & McGhee the house brownies who are guardians of my townshack and who know the drill, got Molly-kitty to let them in and they saw to it that the elves and reindeer were well provided for, as promised. Apparently they partied quite loudly for some time and I heard about it from the neighbors the next morning, so I covered for them and had to take the blame for it all, as well as having to do a little clean up. Apparently, elves like single malt and Buddy Guy & Junior Wells on the box cranked up to the max!

I may use my UK atlas that a friend gave me while I was over there to narrow down the whereabouts of my Santa, but promise the present will wait to be opened on Christmas morn.

So thanks in advance. I'm sure it will be wonderful, as I've been doing this for a few years and my Santas haven't let me down yet. I've gotten to meet a lot of them at a later time and they've been fine folk without fail. I hope I've done as well for my Santees. This has become a fun and cherished tradition for me.

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: ClaireBear
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 12:37 PM

Oooooh --

Santa must have an outpost in Ottawa, because I have a package from him, postmarked from that fair city, sitting on my dining-room table right now! Thank you, Santa! I can't wait to open it (but I will). Your salmon jerky and seal fat will be waiting for you on The Night. And maybe a wee nip of something warming.

Your grateful
ClaireBear

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: GUEST,Severn's Satisfied and Somewhat Smug SS
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 02:52 AM

Very relieved to hear the package made it despite the recalcitrance of certain reindeer and one or two elves - You gave them single malt? That was indeed a foolish, if generous, decision. You realise now they are never going to be satisfied with the standard issue supermarket sherry? I'll never hear the last of it. However I know you acted with the best of possible intentions. Or perhaps the single malt was consumed in an excess of party excitement?

At any rate, I hope you enjoy the contents of the package and that you have a very merry Christmas indeed.

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 05:05 AM

Poem 224 of 230: THE NATIVITY

Vis-à-vis S.C.,
    I prefer to see
Christian children's glee
    When they play-out the
Coming of J.C. -
    The Nativity.

From http://blogs.myspace.com/walkaboutsverse (e-book)
Or http://walkaboutsverse.sitegoz.com (e-scroll)
(C) David Franks 2003

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: Rapparee
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 09:12 AM

Ashes? More likely spent radioactive waste, or worse, spent radioactive REINDEER waste.

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: artbrooks
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 07:37 AM

r

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 05:56 PM

is that 'The Key of R'?

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: jennbrooks
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 06:35 PM

Dear Maire-aine--My box arrived! I am delighted! We opened the outside box and I am saving the wrapped things for Christmas, which will really mean 12/29, because we are going to our daughter's house on the 22nd for the holiday. You hit all the nails right on the head with the other stuff. We love maple syrup, and that jug is just right to go along to Pittsburgh for the Christmas waffles, and we love dried cherries. We haven't had Michigan's version of either, before. The calendar makes it look like your community is the place to be for fun and culture. Thank you, thank you for your thoughtfulness and generosity, and I'll write again after I get to open the surprises.--Love, Jenn

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: ranger1
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 07:16 PM

Still being good...16 days and counting...

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: Mrs Cobble
Date: 10 Dec 09 - 06:26 AM

Thank you, thank you Secret santa

The Royal Mail Elf delivered your package today..... but I will try to keep from opening it until Christmas..

Mrs C

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: GUEST,ranger1's ss....
Date: 10 Dec 09 - 07:56 AM

If you really want to open it T, go right ahead...Santa won't mind at all...you know you want to...

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 10 Dec 09 - 06:00 PM

My prezzie arrived, on Thursday as I had predicted (yesterday's major blizzard couldn't have had anything to do with the delay!)
Other than a large goofy reindeer head for the front doorknob and a little prickly hedgehog ornament that poked out, the rest of the goodies will wait for the Day. And there's simply no clue as to who you could be......








....although the postmark "Brunswick, Maine" might just give me the teensiest of hints....

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: ranger1
Date: 10 Dec 09 - 06:05 PM

Oh, well, Santa, if I have permission...Off to shred the mailing parcel!

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: ranger1
Date: 10 Dec 09 - 07:37 PM

Oh, wow! Cool! Thank you for my Australian Roots Music book and CDs! Driving to work tomorrow morning is going to be a treat! And loved the Christmas card, nothing like two koalas, a kookaburra and an echidna for that special Christmas flavor.

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Dec 09 - 12:44 AM

A package arrived today, from across the ocean blue. . . hmmmm. It is sitting looking interesting on the hearth. Unopened. The entire family enjoys these Mudcat Santa surprises. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 15 Dec 09 - 10:54 AM

Santa dear, astro (in Long Beach) got home late last night from grading and other adventures and found our package in the mailbox. Hooray! Today he's driving to Tucson; we'll head back to L.A. on Sunday after finishing the move to an apartment over here and cleaning the house to be ready for the renters. Can't wait to see what's there... we'll wait 'til Christmas day to open it.

ThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyou

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: Hollowfox
Date: 15 Dec 09 - 10:57 AM

I got home yesterday to find The Present. That made up fro it being Monday all day! It will take it's traditional place of honor under the three as soon as we get it next Sunday. The proper thank-you will come after the Grand Opening, of course.

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 16 Dec 09 - 02:43 AM

THANK YOU SANTA!! your present arrived yesterday morning, all the way from Australia!!! Thank you!

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: GUEST,Stilly River Sage's Very Own Personal Elf
Date: 17 Dec 09 - 12:38 AM

Well now, that's good to hear.......it had to go a long way, you know.....the reindeer were getting very tired by the time they found your driveway!

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: RangerSteve
Date: 17 Dec 09 - 11:44 AM

My present arrived in the mail today from Bat Goddess. I won't open it until my room mate wakes up. Opening presnts is more fun if there's someone else to watch.

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: ranger1
Date: 17 Dec 09 - 12:03 PM

I know, Steve. That's why I took mine across the street to the neighbor's when I opened it :)

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: RangerSteve
Date: 17 Dec 09 - 05:21 PM

Okay, it's opened. Maple sugar candy, maple syrup spread, a chocolate bar in the shape of New Hampshire, Tourist info about Bat Goddess' neck of the woods (My brother lives north of Worcester, MA, so that will come in handy), a T-shirt from the Portsmouth NH tall ships festival (one size smaller than I wear, so I may regift it to someone who will appreciate it), a peice of local rock with garnets in it, an ocarina in the shape of an iguana (I think, it's folk art and vaguely iguana shaped), various local tourist souvenirs. The maple sugar candy is proof of a divinity. I bought some artisan bread for the spread, Will try it later. The refrigerator magnet is on my fridge, next to one that Sinsull sent me a few years ago. The ocarina sounds fine. Thanks, BG. It's all greatly appreciated.

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: Nancy King
Date: 17 Dec 09 - 08:31 PM

My package arrived on Tuesday -- from New Hampshire! It has assumed a place of honor among the presents under the tree, awaiting The Day! Thanks, Santa!

Nancy

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: GUEST,Eye Lander (not logged in) cos of SS.
Date: 18 Dec 09 - 05:43 AM

oooooooooo HE's Been all the way from the States!!!!!

Being a good girl I shall not open until Christmas Day, I shall then thank again!!

Jilllie

Tee hee    citing innit.

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: Wolfhound person
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 01:03 PM

Thank you, SS. Your box arrived safely in the middle of a snow storm, with an EX postmark.
I haven't examined it closely, but I will!

Paws

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 03:37 PM

I have a mysterious package from California, which I can only assume is from Santa. Odd - I always thought the North Pole was up North.

We'll open it on Christmas Day!

Dan

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: GUEST,Dan Schatz'z Zanta
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 04:56 PM

Dan, Zanta found himzelf floating away from the North Pole on a large iceberg zome time back, zo he went with the floe and zet up zhop in California. He even brought hiz wrapping elvez along, zo you will find a wrapped prezzie or two in the box. Enjoy!

(And will zomebody pleaze PM Dan to let him know? He muzt not check threadz very often becauze I already pozted thiz info in the mezzagez thread. Zanta can't PM for obviouz reazonz.)

Dratted ztuck key!

Ho ho ho,
Zanta

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 07:21 PM

I'll pm Dan. He always listens to me.

Dan

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: JennieG
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 10:26 PM

A parcel has arrived from way way up north, thank you Santa! The brightly wrapped packages contained therein are now waiting for a tree to be put up, so they can be put under, if you can understand that Ozzie logic.

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: Cats
Date: 21 Dec 09 - 10:52 AM

A parcel has arrived for me today and I have put all the pressies under the tree to open on Christmas morning. Thank you, Santa

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: Sarah the flute
Date: 21 Dec 09 - 06:08 PM

Severn! What can I say ? I am still gobsmacked. This amazing parcel arrived this morning. I have to admit to opening it and it was like opening an Aladin's Cave with the most wonderful music bursting out at the seams and some interesting other bits and pieces and a fantastic song book too. I have spent the day listening when I should have been doing loads of chores but it's been brilliant. Thankyou so much... I better do some drawing now!!!

Many many thanks and have a wonderful Christmas

Sarah

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 22 Dec 09 - 01:03 AM

My present arrived today! Thank you, my not-so-secret Santa! I'll open it on da big day.

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: BS: Thank you, Santa!
From: Severn
Date: 22 Dec 09 - 02:43 AM

Ahhhhh, Sarah!

I'm glad to see that if you were overcome by temptation enough to open your box of local treasures upon arrival, you were also overcome by joy ("gobsmacked", as it were) at the contents! I find cheap but wonderful goodies all year round and put them into a large box to be redistributed when Holidays and Birthdays come around and that way I can deal in quantity as well as quality and actually have some things to give that I might actually believe in.

If you are on Facebook and look up Severn Savage, you'll find far better photos to draw your cartoon portrait from than the one on Mudcat.

PM me at some later time to let me know which recordings you liked best, as I gave you a fairly wide range to sample.

Enjoy!
Santa

I enjoyed the correspondance and clues.