stgulik

Greetings from Central California, where we are in our nth straight summer of drought conditions. We're thinking of changing our state bird to the vulture. We're thinking of changing our state tree to the cactus. We're thinking of changing our state fish to a box of Mrs. Paul's breaded fish sticks (packaged in Vermont). You get the picture.

But it's not all bad around here. I've heard from some lovely friends this summer!

The beautiful

lady_of_clunn sent me thank-you gifts after the last chaps of Hysteria posted over on H&V. Stationery! Her daughter creates pen-and-ink drawings, which are made into cards. She included a cute pair of handmade Snitch earrings, too. I've worn them to work already -- interestingly, nobody recognizes them for what they are. Muggles! So unobservant! I wonder what they believe they are seeing.

And these were waiting for me when I came home Thursday from vacation. My dearest

teddyradiator sent me this beautiful (and large, like weapons-grade large) vine-covered pewter wand necklace. It looks amazing. Of course, the Muggles will mistake it for a tapestry needle or some such. Plus, I now have my own set of genuine Village Broom alphabet buttons, made by

mywitch! Each Snape looks more lacivious than the last. Thank you so much!