We three kings of Orient are, Bearing gifts we traverse afar...

You know, everyone gives you THINGS. Scarves, purses, sweaters, books, chocolates, pots and pans, jewelry, pets, waffle irons, coats, dishwashers, furniture, pajamas, lingerie, perfume, wallets, toys, laptops, heck, rumor has it that some people even give cars. (Not to mention the gold, frankincense, and myrrh.)

Anyone can give you a THING. I, however, being a virtual friend, am able to take liberties with your Christmas gifts, my schweet little Internetties.
And so I shall.

This Christmas I give you something that’s impossible to wrap up and place under the tree. I give you each an encounter of some sort (usually appropriate, but not always) with a fictional character, carefully chosen for my own good reasons, with you - and them - in mind.

Enjoy, and the merriest of Christmasses, my dear Internet friends!

Gina, my dear, there were so many choices perfect for you. Hope this does ok. – Afternoon tea with Elizabeth Bennett

Blackbird – Drinks with J. Maarten Troost. Ok, I know he’s not fictional but he’s lived on Tuvalu. You could have a lot to discuss!

Joke – An appropriately Iberic dinner with Emilio Sandoz

Badger –Dinner at Liquor with G-Man

Kilowatt Hour – A consultation with Dr. Jonathan Hullah

Carolyn –A fling with Rhett Butler

Jess –A day with the Casson family

Lazy Cow – A weekend with Ralph de Briccasart

My sweet friend Suse – Dinner – and whatever follows… - with Scotland Yard Inspector Alan Grant

Peg –Dinner with Mary Russell

Mary –A barbecue at Tara with Scarlett O’Hara

Rogue Librarian –A dinner and brandy and smokes with Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes

Sarah Louise – An afternoon progging with Sara Louise

Loretta – A week at Elm Creek Quilt Camp

Delta - Lunch with Clare

Katya –A tour of Dream’s library with Lucien

Rebecca – A conversation with Rose and Ruby Darlen

Liz – A (of course somewhat snarky) gossip with Anne and Cornelia

Hungry in LA – …something… with Howard Roark

Amy - An afternoon in the company of Alessandra Cecchi

Katy - An instructional session with Madame DeFarge

Mscellania – A weekend at The Cloisters with Rae Strouse

Ssheers – A pleasantly long talk with Brother Cadfael

anatidaeling – A day rollerskating with Lucinda Wyman

L – A (funded) shopping trip with Becky Bloomwood

S – A journey with Dinah

Hair-in-His-Eyes Guy – Darts with Death

I am sure I missed some of you, and for that I apologize, and gift you a seat at a joint lecture by Roland Michell and Maud Bailey, operating under the assumption that it’s always a safe and pleasant idea to give people something you would like for yourself.

Merry Christmas!