The following (offered in a spirit of mild amusement) will hopefully not be perceived as TOO creepy, but ... you and Spooky ended up in a dream I had the night before last.

Briefly: a suburban household packed with extended family (not mine) on Thanksgiving. Me hanging out on the fringes, tryna' make nice with people I didn't know (and who, frankly, didn't much deserve it). You looming at the end of the dinner table looking very forbidding in black and pentagram (image: the red wine in your glass contrasting sharply with your pale skin and dark attire, very vampish).

At one point, I went out to the curb to visit with my parents (who were CAMPING there in a CAR). You and Spooky tagged along. I introduced you ("this is Caitlin Kiernan, the noted author") and Spooky introduced herself (as "Joey" [spelled Z-O-E-Y]). Then you guys vanished until the end, when I lost an argument about recycling with a man and his wife (who "won" by claiming I was straining her pacemaker, so had better shut up and be quiet). I got pissed off and started to leave. You and "Joey" stopped me on my way out the door, apologizing for my having such an awful time.

Weird, huh? But thanks. (For being nice to me, I mean. In my dream. And I hope you feel better soon.)