Re: Bonnie’s Opal Ring Contest: I’m afraid that the deadline for Arrien to get back to me is long past, and her phone number is invalid.  That means that the book winners were numbered, their numbers put into a black silk top hat (okay, a medium-sized bag, but that doesn’t sound as nice) and an attorney was asked to pick one of the numbered slips of paper blindfolded. 

And the one chosen was . . . Alex M. of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  Alex, your ring should come as a holiday present.  I hope you enjoy it!

As for the other book winners, this means that they finally also will have their books shipped.  I wanted to wait so I could ship the two items together if that was what needed to happen.

Meanwhile, if you were a winner in the “name the next Vampire Diaries arc” contest, could you please resend your address.  My brand new computer seems to have lost your file, and after three days of searching, I don’t know what to do but apologize.  Please send your name, address, and the book of your choice to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and I will try to also send them for the holidays.  Please use the subject heading ARC ARC ARC so that I can pick these emails out of the load I get every day, and I’ll try not to lose your information.

Whew! It’s not easy trying to work with a new computer, a new Word program, and an Outlook program that does everything but the thing I want it to do.

I hope that everyone else is not having as turbulent a holiday season as I am!  I haven’t even bought one present yet!  For the moment, I wish everyone peace, serenity, and compassion—both given and received.