Dear Santa,

I would just love ANY instrument I could play well, and accompany myself on. Maybe you'll have to give me a new left hand, though-mine never could get up to speed. Oh, and the instrument would have to be self-tuning, too. And along with that, I'd like a voice like Cath Oss or Helen Schneyer. If that's not possible, then just help me keep mine right on the money more often. And lastly, please drop off some nice, leftish, folky man to keep my feet warm and rub my back, and I'll be very good all year, I promise.

BTW, thanks, Michael, for your comments about criticizing spelling. I may be able to spell, but I don't rate others' contributions by their abilities to spell. I've just found my mother and my sister after 48 years of not knowing where to look for them. Guess what-they can't spell. Do you think that matters? Sorry, I don't mean to sound all huffy and holier-than-thou.

Best wishes for a warm and cozy holiday season to all, Mary McCaffrey