"Violists" began to germinate early in December last, as Christmas
approached. I originally intended that it be ready before the new
year, but alas, it came in behind schedule, and was not completed until
January. It is still winter in some places--the right season for such
morsels--so rather than let the work languish upon the shelf for
another year...
Somewhere out there on The Net, I hope there is a solitary reader
settled comfortably in a warm study with a nice cup of tea. Perhaps
the lights are out, and the amber glow of the terminal spreads faint
warmth through the room; overstuffed bookshelves loom behind in the
darkness. If the evening air is crisp and a soft snow is falling
outside the window, so much the better--a view of icicles would be a
magical touch.
-- Richard McGowan
San Jose, California
January 22, 1994
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