1. what is your age range?    Doesn't matter -- I refuse to grow up.

 2. gender?        I've been accused (sans observation) by Amos of having   "girly throws," and there are several photos of me afoot around these parts, so use your own judgment.

 3. Do you have a favorite color?    - love rich, vibrant colors (Chinese red, purple [on the reddish, not bluish, side], deep teal or bluish green, bright green] as well as rich muted colors [dark brown, charcoal grey, olive green, and a few colors that don't have readily recognized names] .
Generally, no pastels, and no blue-reds [fuchsia, rose, mauve, burgundy, lavender, or bluish purple/purplish blue].

 4. favorite authors/ type of book?    -- audio books  -- generally prefer nonfiction, but depends on book  -- Used books fine (even preferred)

       Songbooks (Carter family, Jean Ritchie, Bill Staines, Mark Graham, etc.)   I already have Joan Baez, Hank Williams, Bob Wills, Theodore Bikel, The Weavers, The Beatles, Rise Up Singing, Tom Leherer.)

 5. what books have you really been wanting?   -- one I've been meaning to buy is "The Story Of Pink Jade" by William Lederer  -- a wonderful story I read in serialized form back in the '60s in a magazine.  Been meaning to buy a used copy, but can't find my "round tuit."   I love this story and may even turn it into a song some day.

 6. what type of music do you like?   - most everything, except most hip-hop, heavy metal, smooth (overly somni-genic) jazz, and whatever's on the top 40.   Not especially interested in acquiring more classical or contemporary pop/RB/country CDs -- except maybe the Dixie Chicks or Emmy Lou Harris.

 7. what cds have you really been wanting?   -  I generally prefer music with vocals, and love contemporary folk artists like Artisan, Bill Staines, Nanci Griffith, Tom Russell, etc.  I would love to get a CD from a Mudcat singer-songwriter-instrumentalist like Jerry Rasmussen, Derrymacash (Aidàn Crossey), Justa Picker, Charley Noble, Kendall Morse, Alison, or anyone else that you think is worth listening to.   It would be nice to hear a CD that is not likely to be readily available in my local audio store.   Funny songs (à la Mousethief, Mark Graham, The Berrymans, Bryan Bowers, etc., are especially appreciated.  (Catspaw, do you have a CD?  -- Oh, heck!  Just send me Catspaw.  He's always good for a laugh.)

 8. What movies (vhs is in the price range) have you been wanting?   -- ???

 9. what is your t-shirt size?     seldom wear them unless they are tank tops.    Could always use another Mudcat T-shirt, so I won't be reluctant to wear (and wash) the one I have.  -- probably mediu

 10. do you collect anything? if so, what?   - dust, scars, occasionally cats, garden weeds, ex-boyfriends, guitars, and way too much "stuff"

 11. what are some of your other hobbies?   - I gave the list to CatsPhiddle -- nothing really relevant to Christmas presents [unless you want to buy me a new pair of custom-made figure-skating boots  or a rototiller     ;-)   ]

 12. do you prefer gold-tone or silver-tone jewelry?    gold or gold plated - -- don't wear any jewelry except French-hook or  loop pierced earrings, and the ones I wear are usually bright and colorful.

 13. please include anything else you feel is important that would help your secret santa know what you would like

One type of "gift" I love is a donation to a charitable organization that benefits environmental and/or humanitarian causes.   Organizations that 'kill two birds with one stone' [e.g., providing solar-powered computers to students in 3rd world countries or teaching people how to grow drought-resistant crops] are my favorites.   The "Alternative Gift Market" is a good place to find these.  The Jimmy Carter Foundation is another good one.

"Negative hints:"
- generally cannot wear fragrances (or even be around them)
- love fattening foods but don't need 'em
- cannot wear jewelry unless it's gold or gold plated  (contact dermatitis?)