Nathan! Nathan from Texas!!! What a wonderful revalation, after all this time....and what a wonderful final gift to receive: 3 CD's, one made for me expressly. I am truly overwhelmed. I'm listening to it now, grinning like an idiot...my very own CD! I'm sure I can learn a couple of these to wow my Okie cowboy song singing neighbor. And am looking forward more than I can say to the other 2 CDs...your own compilation with the great title of Homemade Jam, and the Barb. Dane/Lightnight Hopkins...a pairing I didn't even know existed.

And Denton! I know it well, went thru it many times on our way to and from one art fair or another from our home in NW Arkansas...our nearest neighbors, the Riddles, were from Denton.

You have made this a wonderful Christmas, Nathan...I feel blessed and lucky to have had you as a Secret Santa. You are well named. The only thing better would be to be able to sing with you myself. But I have a lot of music here to keep me company.

I also have to say that I would have been happy with this package if it contained only the letter from you. It was a delight and I am so happy to make your acquaintance...I bet your 1st graders LOVE you! I do have one question, however...how in the world did you manage the global acquisition of all that wonderful beach paraphernalia? I thought for sure you would reveal all...but not a word.

I'll write again when I've listened to all the CD's. Thank you so much for being such a terrific Secret Santa, tho I did think your "clues" were a tad on the obscure side! The Texas postcard arrived in the same post as the package, otherwise I might...might have guessed.

Your grateful and admiring Santee, Nancy

PS...I'm listening to Dreadful Wind and Rain right now...just great!