THE BUCK STARTS HERE
With Christmas almost upon us, I made a list of people most likely to buy me a big expensive gift. I ended up with a blank sheet of paper. Realizing that, if I want a big expensive gift, I'll have to give it to myself, here's what happened:

I frequently whine about wanting to return to Ajijic permanently so, in my work-related absence, friends have been looking for a place I could buy. After a year of despaired waiting, I bought a mountain cabin in the states. Just as the cabin entered escrow, I got an E-mail from a friend about an Ajijic hacienda that was not only as good as the place I had before, but better. Never one to waste time with long decision-making processes, I immediately mailed back, "Buy it buy it!"

I flew down for the closing a couple of weeks ago, and got to see Lakeside Little Theatre's production of "The Little Foxes." Barbara Hawkins' portrayal of Regina Giddens gave Tallulah Bankhead (Broadway's version), and Bette Davis (Hollywood's version), a run for their money. I knew Barbara was a good "song and dance man," but her transmutation from Molly Brown and Adelaide into Lillian Hellman's onstage bitch was amazing. While all the actors were wonderful, a standout was Sherie Sourelis as the timid, fearful character, Birdie Hubbard. Her stop-the-show portrayal was so convincing, I couldn't relax until I saw her very-Sherie self backstage.

There were so many handsome men in this production, both young and better than young, it was hard to concentrate on the dialogue. And imagine a real 16-year-old girl (Fauna Osborn) playing a 16-year-old girl! In Hollywood, she'd have to be 30 to play 16. The sets were marvelous, big thanks to the enthusiastic design talents of Tod Jonson and Ektor Carranza, and very able builders. Period costumes by Wes Graydon were outstanding. Make-up by Dagmar Strole contributed greatly to the actors'

characterizations, as did hair and wigs by Yoly Martinez Llamas. Lakeside Little Theatre has had several directors of distinction, and Anya Flesh is one of the best. My hat's off to all those dedicated people who continue to make a resounding success of the biggest Little Theatre in the world.

I also got to be with some very dear friends: the effervescent Rick and Mary Alice Sergeant; the incredible Eager Family, whose La Nueva Posada is like home; the inestimable Tee Falcon; Louise Hanshaw and her legendary dog, Perrito; my author friend and Ojo's editor, Alejandro Grattan; the Artistic Duo of the Era, Enriquez and Belva Velazquez; the friend and fellow writer who found me the house, Jim Bailey; Vierl and Zoe Bunnell, who manage to find time even when there isn't any; Bill Hawkins, helpful with everything; Ellen Allison (Denny was away); the gifted Aurora Michel (best legs west of the Copper Canyon); and Tom Faloon (just back from a funeral in Nicaragua where he was assigned the most honored place to sleep overnight -- in the same room with the dear departed! Immensely polite, he waited that nightas long as he could stand it before finally asking the family if they'd be kind enough to at least close the lid.)

Being with old pals is like sitting in an easy chair molded to your shape by years of use, or putting on your favorite flannel robe warm out of the dryer. I had almost forgotten that the true big gift we get isn't a fine hacienda, it's the love of friends.

Merry Christmas everyone.