Do I have some exciting information. Although I had said “No gifts,” I might as well had been talking to the wall. Naturally I didn’t send anything back. Among lots of goodies and other wonderfully nice things, I did receive some books.

First there was a darling coffee table book about aprons. Lots of bright colors and different patterns.

Then there is “Mrs. Astor Regrets.” It is all about a wealthy woman, more than 100 years old. She just died this year. I happened to see her in an interview on TV. Her life story will be interesting.

Another gift was a big heavy book about Eisenhower, “The Ike Files.” He was my favorite general, president, and Kansas boy. I’ll love that. Lots of photographs.

“Once Again to Zelda.” I thought this must be about F. Scott Fitzgerald’s wife. It is really a collection of reviews of 50 well-known books. I can’t wait to see if the authors’ thoughts about them are anything like mine.

Finally, “The Purpose of Christmas,” by Rick Warren. He is the minister who Barack Obama had chosen to read a prayer at his inauguration. If you read, “The Purpose Driven Life,” you’ll remember a young woman who was accosted in her home by an escaped criminal. She got up the courage to read from that book. He was so touched he asked her to turn him in to the law. In fact, a movie has been made about it.

Looks like I might be busy for a while, so excuse me. I must find a cozy place and get started.

— norma hannaford