Dear Mom and Dad,

I am sorry it has taken me so long to thank you for the Christmas gifts. I should have written sooner...

I have never worked harder for a Blip. This morning I walked over six miles along the river. I took a lot of pictures and I didn't like any of them. I went out again, but it had started snowing, the sky was grey and I didn't take anything I liked.

I gave up photography today and started the important and overdue task of writing Thank You notes for the lovely gifts I received at Christmas. I took out my favorite pen -- one I got for my 30th birthday -- 27 years ago! That's when I saw my picture.