My friend, Dr. Monkey von Monkerstein, did NOT originate the internet Secret Santa scheme. However, he did make it sound enticing enough to encourage me to play along. The recipient of my virtual gift is Odile, a blogger in Mexico. Fun! I've never been to Mexico, but my mother went, once. She told a story on herself about her trip to California that included a detour into Mexico for a short gad. She was enjoying herself and the dry desert air when she realized her left arm was significantly more tanned than her right - from resting it on the car door as she drove. "I'm not worried", she said to herself. "I'll get the other one tanned on the way home."
That was my mom.
It's quite likely Odile has more sense than that (at least sense enough not to tell on herself, I'll warrant), and she probably has sense enough to buy her own gifts and get exactly what she wants. Still, a secret Santa has certain obligations. I took said obligation on freely, just as my mother freely (and frequently) took on the obligation of telling the world she was a goof.
And so, without further adieu, I present my gift to Odile. ¡Appetit del bon y Feliz Navidad, mi Amiga!
