Christmas at the B.O.G.

MERRY CHRISTMAS. I am ready for the Alps: a buff, a guidebook, lobster claw mittens, duct tape, and two pounds of special fruit cake. (Notice me modeling the buff - hottest thing in Nordic fashion - wear it as a hat, a balaclava, a head band, or scarf. I need to go on-line to get directions how to maximize this sartorial item.)

As per our family the gifts are easy to categorize: 1) Hock = running books (planning to do a summer ultra) or climbing books. 2) Lucy = teenage Aeropostale fashions or nordic racing stuff. 3) Jon = stuff for his apartment in Boston or gift certificates to supplement his meager income. 4) Selden = books about Laura Ingalls Wilder and Georgette Heyer or barn clothes.