BS: Secret Santa Clues and Nudges

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa Clues and Nudges
From: artbrooks
Date: 28 Dec 06 - 04:38 PM

Tig, I think I still have some left-over flutterbys.....

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa Clues and Nudges
From: GUEST,SRS'sss SSsssss
Date: 28 Dec 06 - 06:48 PM

Here'sss a sssimple ssssolution for that annoyancssse, Sssstilly: make a fissst with each hand with your knucklesss toward you, ssstick each indexsss finger up into the atmossssphere, and ssstick out each thumb towardssss the other. The hand that makessss an "L" isss the left.

But sssincssse you're dysssslexsssic, doessss a backwardsss "L" look the sssame asss the ssstandard "L"? If sssso, then perhapsss thissss sssuggesstion won't be of asssisssstancsse. Ssssorry!

SRS'sss Flummoxsssed SSssss

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa Clues and Nudges
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Dec 06 - 07:26 PM

Good thing a package arrived today to put me out of my misery!

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa Clues and Nudges
From: GUEST,SRS'sss Pleassssed SSssss
Date: 28 Dec 06 - 07:41 PM

And it'ssss sssstill the fourth day of Chrisssstmassss! I was ssso hoping your presssie would arrive sssssooner, but at leasssst it'sss sssstill Two Thoussssand Ssssix!

(I'm assssuming here that the package of which you sssspeak issss your pressssie...)

Ssssso have you unssssealed it yet?????


SRS'sss Antssssy SSssss (sssetting off fireworkssss in cssselebration of the good newssss!!)

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa Clues and Nudges
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Dec 06 - 09:26 PM

Well, Sharon, I had to go pick up my daughter at work, then I adjourned to the living room couch for some light reading. Too bad about the behavior of those pit bulls on the front page of your paper--bad owners are the problem with dogs like that. And I didn't realize the extent of museums and historic sites and reproductions in that part of PA--my father's family had a cottage (used to be an old inn around 1800) in Salladasburg, north of Williamsport, and I've wandered around up there, but not so much further east and north. I've been at the Jersey border right at the Water Gap, but those postcards and brochures show that there is a lot more going on in the area. Pretty interesting. Did you say you got your start working at the local Chamber of Commerce? ;-D

The tiles are fabulous--what's the story with the SRS one? That will go on my desk next to the computer. Do you get to custom make them at the tile works, or do they have random initials handy? The larger one can go in my tile collection in the kitchen--they've come from all over, so anything new fits right in. (And how ironic--earlier this afternoon I stopped by Home Depot to pick up a scraper and blades to get the adhesive off of my front hall floor so I can put down--what else--tile. This is part of a remodel job that I started over four years ago. . .)

I have a growing collection of Mudcat performances, and these of yours will go in that special case in my office. I'll be listening to these CDs after the kids either 1) go to bed (ha!--they're teenagers on holiday!) or 2) go to their dad's for the weekend. Too much interruption and background noise with video games and tv on right now.

This is a great selection of stuff--and another demonstration of just how much you can cram into one of those mailer envelopes if you have a good shoehorn and a plan to pack it tightly. And lots of strong tape. Anthony, my mail carrier appeared to stagger under the weight of it this afternoon. . .

Thanks again, and there will probably be more feedback as I read more and listen to the contents!

Another successful Secret Santa circuit has been completed!

Maggie (Stilly River Sage)

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa Clues and Nudges
From: GUEST,SRS'sss Exsssuberant SSsssss
Date: 29 Dec 06 - 01:36 PM

When is an "s" not an "essss"? When it's combined with an "h" -- then it's a "sh", as in SharonA! Ho ho ho, hish hish hish... thank goodnesssss I can sssstop doing thisssss hisssssing now!

Maggie, I'm so glad to hear that the package arrived at your door safely. Sounds like the tiles are intact (*whew!* I was worried about that!).

Actually, I live 'way south and east of Williamsport (home of the Little League World Series), in the northern suburbs of Philadelphia PA -- not too far from Max! I'm about 10 miles away from the Moravian Tile Works, a working-history museum and one of the creations of Henry Chapman Mercer in Doylestown PA, so when you said that you wanted tiles from your Secret Santa, I knew where I had to go! Mercer was a pioneer in reinforced-concrete architecture, but he was also rather eccentric -- his museum and mansion look like castles, with glazed tiles of many colors and designs set into the concrete inside and out. If you ever have a chance to come back to Pennsylvania, these places are must-see's for a tile fan like yourself.

For the rest of Mudcat, who didn't receive all those brochures and postcards about Mercer's legacy (no, I don't work for the Chamber of Commerce, I just like to send lots of area info -- just ask Jaze, Robin2 and Gloredhel!), here are a couple of websites to show everyone what we're talking about:

Short bio of Mercer, his museum, mansion, and tile works
Pix and info -- museum and mansion
Pix and info -- Moravian Tile Works
Pic of SRS's larger tile (they say the translation is: "Music gladdens the home")

The smaller tile is the one where I had to superglue things together: the initials SRS (yes, they do sell individual letters and numbers) onto a rectangular glazed tile (one of many pieces used to make custom mosaic designs). The significance of the glazed letter tiles is that Mercer inlaid such letters throughout his three buildings (for example, here on Rollo's Stairs, in honor of his dog).

Hope you'll enjoy the CDs. Nothing professionally produced there, just some home-brewed stuff to give you an idea of what I write and a few of the cover songs I like to sing.

Have fun with all that stuff, and have a wonderful new year!!

Sharon

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa Clues and Nudges
From: maeve
Date: 30 Dec 06 - 07:41 AM

Dear No-Longer-Secret-Santa "my guru always said",

Thank you so much for an overflowing parcel. The three postal cards which preceeded it made for cheery memory-laden appetizers. Inside the package I found a t-shirt with a depiction of the famous chalk horse, a canvas bag with (Mud)cats playing across the front, to an inspirational tile, a beautiful greenman bookmark and charming book of poetry, my first ever advent calendar card with the 12 days of Christmas, and 2 luscious dark chocolate bars; all were made even more delightful by the music in which I wallowed. Your own 'A Toe in the Water' cd is lovely, and the 'Song and Ale' six cds from 2004/2005 are full of treasures. I've already having a second listen! Thank you, thank you!

I'm listening to S&A 2004 disc #3 as I write, and laughed aloud to hear the first strains of Jan Harmon's "Seafarer's Song" sung well by Jan Barnes. I wonder where she learned it? Jan (Harmon) lived near me in Maine for years before her death. She was a member of the folk chorus with whom I have sung for years. We've sung many of her songs and loved them, yet I didn't realize her songs would be known so far from home.

I'll be learning new songs from all these cds for months to come. Thank you for your thoughtful and generous gifts. I hope we'll have an occasion to meet in the future. For now I'll be content to meet you through song as your cd self sings "The Rollicking Boys Around Tandragee."

Yours in song,

a grateful maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa Clues and Nudges
From: GUEST,SharonA's SS
Date: 04 Jan 07 - 06:40 AM

Oh SharonA, Oh Sharon A
I fear theirs been a slight delay
what I thoutght was well along
has returned ,like a boomerang
It will depart ,tho', very soon
and cheer you up if you are down
I think you for you patient wait,
look for the Postman at the gate
it may still take a week or two
but things are on their way to you

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa Clues and Nudges
From: GUEST,Foolestroupe's very concerned Secret Santa
Date: 04 Jan 07 - 09:35 AM

Yoohoo! Has it arrived? When the parcel was posted, I was assured of Christmas delivery!

Does anyone know if he got it?

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa Clues and Nudges
From: GUEST, ClaireBear's SS - Apologetic No More!
Date: 05 Jan 07 - 11:53 AM

No longer apologetic!

Passed off the package to the Newknighted Snakes Postal Service this morning -- figured it would be a lot more efficient than hitching up the bats and cats to the sleigh and trying to fly out of snowless New England to sunny Californi-o.

There -- that's even a couple more HINTS!!!

Packed off in a Priority box, so it should be arriving on your doorstep within a few days.

Blowing my cover is okay -- I've IDed myself on and in the package, too.

Me

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa Clues and Nudges
From: ClaireBear
Date: 05 Jan 07 - 01:12 PM

Yes, I do know who you are! And I'm elated to know y Santa is someone who, like me, has read Pigs Is Pigs more than once. (It was favorite bedtime reading fodder in my childhood.) I am now very much looking forward to opening my pressie!

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa Clues and Nudges
From: SharonA
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 09:59 PM

I thank you for your note, SS,
And now am filled with happiness
At hearing that you've not forgotten
Me (but that P.O. is rotten!).
Now I even feel like rhyming
Once again, now that the timing
Of your gift's receipt is near.
'Twill truly be a great new year!

But, speaking of the rhyming word,
Some of your rhymes do sound absurd
To my Northeastern US ear.
I'm guessing you're not from 'round here!
If "soon" and "down" are rhymes to you,
Perhaps you are a Scotsman true.
"Along" and "boomerang", however...
Could they rhyme someplace else? Ever?

Hmmmm...

Sharon

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa Clues and Nudges
From: SharonA
Date: 17 Jan 07 - 06:41 PM

Oh, Secret Santa kind and fair,
I hope you're hearing me out there.
Alas, alack, for it has been
Two weeks and still my gift's not in.
There's many'a postal holiday
This month which might have caused delay.
But now they've no more Mondays off
And so, perhaps, they will not scoff
At my sad face and bitter tear
And will deliver ere next year.

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa Clues and Nudges
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 17 Jan 07 - 07:04 PM

AS detailed elsewhere it has arrived.

Thanks.

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa Clues and Nudges
From: SharonA
Date: 18 Jan 07 - 05:27 PM

Foolestroupe's has arrived, that is.
But mine is still in the abyzz.
That's an abyss where postmen sleep
Instead of working, dreaming deep.

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa Clues and Nudges
From: Megan L
Date: 19 Jan 07 - 09:00 AM

OK santa now i is gettin serious here whit clues dae i hae hmmmmm
1. could be related, My grandmother had the same last name and she came from where you do.
2. You said very kind things to me in the past,
3.Not all those with scots blood in their veins live in gods own country
4. I'm dark and four eyed.
5.I can be a bit of a lurker
6.I'm not on the mudcat fame list.
7.I changed my name here on mudcat
8. I've been to a few gatherings
9.Dewsbury

ok so that rules oot frank & giok :)

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa Clues and Nudges
From: GUEST,Megan L Secret Santa
Date: 19 Jan 07 - 03:39 PM

all them things are right. My last surviving relative on shapinsay was daisy laughton swanney. In the 1800's lots of my relatives married first cousins - I'm surprised I don't have two heads!
As far as I remember I'm not called frank or john.(at least not in this lifetime) I'm a bit of a hippy and would love to visit Orkney

santa

PS I really enjoy being and doing thr Secret santa stuff

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa Clues and Nudges
From: Megan L
Date: 19 Jan 07 - 04:14 PM

OH goodie that rules oot davie as weel then and possibly terry only every other male uk catter to try now :)

You are one spectacular santa and the neclace almost matches a bracelet Dauvitt bought me a few years ago.

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa Clues and Nudges
From: Tig
Date: 19 Jan 07 - 07:10 PM

Firecat is still being hopeful.

Come on her Santa - give her a clue if you exist!!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa Clues and Nudges
From: GUEST,Megan L Secret Santa
Date: 20 Jan 07 - 03:24 AM

Hi Megan,

I'm not sure I can give you more clues, so you will just have to keep guessing!

Maybe just a wee one, if you widen your search to include the females in the UK you might have a better chance.

Santa x

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa Clues and Nudges
From: Megan L
Date: 20 Jan 07 - 05:43 AM

Sugar   Oooooops *blushes furiosly no i is covered in confuddleddom i'll hae tae go awa and think whiles i hide under the stairs fur a bit :)

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa Clues and Nudges
From: Megan L
Date: 21 Jan 07 - 12:06 PM

OK santa I is getting serious now my entire list of uk catters that i might have spoken to is small.

the picture of an evil (For anyone reading my santa personalised my card to a distressing degree :) honestly a fair bit of the whisky got into the food :p)hippy santa could be used to terify weans fur years tae cum.

so theres liz (Naw thats london) and Lynne and Rum and joanie and and and ok i will hit the darkened room for a bit.

PS santa i am also a bit hippy ;) but we may be on different tracks there LOL

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa Clues and Nudges
From: GUEST,Megan L Secret Santa
Date: 21 Jan 07 - 12:30 PM

Hi Megan,

I'm just too good to you............we have never spoken in person, but you have replied to some threads I've started - and been very kind.
"Terifing weans" is not a bad thing in moderation - I been doing that to mine for years and they still come back for more, even though they are mostly growed up.

Well it looks as if we might have some snow tomorrow, will need to get the sleigh in good working order, feed the reindeer, get out the working suit, - you know what its like - a santas work is never done.

Don't stay too long in the darkened room - have a tot and have one for me too,

take care Megan,

Santa x

PS Glad to know your a hippy
PPS what do you call a cold, talkative, dim, new age person,











a nippy, lippy, dippy, hippy

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa Clues and Nudges
From: Megan L
Date: 23 Jan 07 - 01:38 PM

OK Santa no more mr nice guy gal thingy etc :)
I have sacked the selkies cause they kept bunking of to go for a swim. so now i am getting serious i have started at message one and will work my way throught looking for likely candidates :)
mind you it may take a while so watchoot fur developments Santa you is gonny get rumbled :)

(hhm wonders - - - nah its to early to start being nice fur next year yet :p)

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa Clues and Nudges
From: Megan L
Date: 24 Jan 07 - 12:51 PM

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa Clues and Nudges
From: Megan L
Date: 26 Jan 07 - 12:21 PM

OK santa

so far i have spotted fiddling felines and a wee tot o rum but i am still lukin :)

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa Clues and Nudges
From: GUEST,Megan L Secret Santa
Date: 27 Jan 07 - 03:50 AM

You will normally find me below the line.
Keep looking Megan

Santa x

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa Clues and Nudges
From: SharonA
Date: 08 Feb 07 - 04:05 PM

O dark despair! Whatever shall I do?
It's been five weeks since I have heard from you,
O Santa dear, yet still no postman's left
A present in my box. My soul, bereft,
Waits through the bitter winter nights in vain,
Yet with bright hope to hear from you again.
Have you, perhaps, seen what may make you shiver:
Your gift, once more returning to the giver?