The mail came earlier than usual today. And one thought rattled around in my fevered mind. "My Secret Santa present is here!"

I rushed to the door and sure enough the address tags confirmed my suspicions. From: KAIVERUS To: ZOBMIES.

I don't know who was more excited me, my girlfriend or our cat. Well, the cat really wasn't in the running cause he seemed to prefer licking his nethers in the corner.

My girlfriend squealed with glee. "What'd you get? What'd you get?"

I didn't squeal with glee, I'm much to manly to do that. I must, however, admit to bouncing up and down ever so slightly as I tore open the package.

The first gift to greet me was a copy of Donna Leon's “Handel's Bestiary: In Search of Animals in Handel's Operas”. With illustrations by, perhaps, my favorite artist, Michael Sowa! The book also comes with a CD of twelve of Handel's arias.

A wonderful gift! I may have squealed a little at this point. A many squeal no doubt. 'Cause I'm manly.

But that wasn't all! What to my wondering eyes should appear at the bottom of the box!?

Settlers of Catan! No foolin! This game has been on our wish list for a long while now. Our eyes grew wide with wonder and anticipation. We decided on the spot that this would be our activity on Christmas Day. So under the tree it went. I can't wait to give it a play!

Well, done Kaiverus. Well done indeed. You stalked me well, and your gifts not only helped make my Christmas a merry one, but my girlfriends as well.

A Merry Christmas to you, sir.

Thank you!

Zobmies