Oh, yeah, and I'm always thrilled to receive another piece of my crystal!

All I want for Christmas ...

... a stockpile of peanut oil

... a bigger box for my first-aid kit & some standard band-aids

... time away with the one I love

... soap (Crabtree & Evelyn's rosewater soap with cold cream; any cocoa butter soap; Clinique facial soap, mild)

... a particular pair of carved jade earrings

... another special piece of jewelry (needn't be expensive)

... peace, love and understanding

... a Christmas list from all those who haven't been too naughty

I've been away from the keyboard for way too long. But I've been tired ... and a little busy. My most charming mother has a better outlook on life due to successful surgery for a cataract, and my employer says he's happy that things at my workplace seem to be chugging along well -- as he puts it, "flowing." I tend to agree.

I did head out and volunteer to help at the fall dinner at home in Montgomery County, and I couldn't imagine what I'd be asked to do! I actually learned something, and did a task I'd never dreamed of -- perhaps it was my first little foray into fundraising. Folks in the county leadership were smart enough to resurrect the idea of a a 50/50 drawing, and when I casually said: "Give me a job," the gals in charge did. They handed me the raffle tickets and a basket.

I felt like squealing about not knowing nothing about running no raffles and running the other way at breakneck speed, but somehow I didn't. I recruited another volunteer and we worked hard to raise a respectable, if not monumental, total. I'm not sure I want to characterize the work as 'fun' exactly, but it was a real change of pace, and it was, in some ways, a hoot. A big ol' slice of life. I'll only do it next year if I think I can significantly increase the take!

Meanwhile, I've been contributing to the care and feeding of a New Jersey municipal candidate. Literally. I made him the stew I had promised him a week before, and it was OK. With almost two pounds of meat in it, I was pleased that it was at least a little more than edible. I think I know what I can do to soften the meat naturally, and I'm going to try it on my own next batch. And he even used the ingredients I left him to make last night's dinner, too. I know he's fed for tonight and has leftovers to last him through Thursday.

This is a guy who's fed himself successfully -- by himself -- for over 40 years!

Speaking of my favorite candidate in my favorite town -- my favorite guy, really, he's still working hard. And he seems to be largely enjoying it. I'll still say that Election Night can't come soon enough, as far as I'm concerned.

One ... more ... week!

Peter'll work hard, God willing, as a council member, but it's time to move from one challenge to another. So in you can vote in Atlantic Highlands vote early, but not often. One person, one vote to the best candidate!

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Oh, and I have one word for the person who suggested that I blog directly on relationships: No.

I abridge my own privacy enough by posting core dumps here. I try not to speak too directly of the people in my life. I hesitated to post the details of my darling mother's surgery, and I wrote nothing until I knew she was happy with the results. I mentioned Pete's candidacy only after it was public knowledge. I will admit that I do, both in public and private, revel in how well he's running his campaign.

But I have no real desire to try to get cute in discussing my friends, family and those in my life who insist upon defying classification. At this point, I'd just as soon post their Social Security numbers as describe the details of their interactions with me.

I've only recently come into contact with anyone over the age of 21 who jealously protected his privacy. Maybe it's a consequence of having lived in the self-promoting world of local and national media for the biggest chunk of my life. Breasting my cards isn't really my own style, although I do not reveal as much about myself as it may sometimes appear. I strive to be comfortable in public and to conduct my private life in a way that would stand up to scrutiny. Again, I'm not always perfect in that.

I do, however, respect those who guard their privacy, and I strongly defend their right to do it. Sunshine is a necessary disinfectant in public life, but individuals have the right to lives without unneccessary intrusion. Some things that happen behind closed doors are even good and proper in their privacy. And that's the way it should be, unless there's something in one's life that needs to see the light of day.

So, unless I find some overriding public interest in airing my laundry in public, I think I'll keep washing and drying it privately.