Dear Post Office,

So what you're saying is, you need a stamp, too?

Hugs & kisses (& 44¢),
B

Dear A,

You are one of many friends whose name begins with A, but you are the only one who currently lives near me. Thanks for being good company, for being generous with your car, for feeding my obsession with British television, and for reading my blog so much it seems you're starting to think in open letters, as well.

So, I guess I can also say thanks for giving me the slight feeling I'm slowly taking over the world, one needed stamp at a time.

Hugs & kisses,
B

Dear Stephen Fry,

I've long suspected it, but in the past week, I think I can confirm that I really have a crush on you. After my dear friend A introduced me to your excellent series Kingdom, and after I discovered that you read the British Harry Potter audiobooks, there has really been no turning back.

I hope you don't find this terribly awkward. I know that we're a bit different in age and live several thousand miles apart, but I thought it was best if you knew the truth.

Hugs & kisses,
B

P.S. New discovery: you narrate LittleBigPlanet, too!! Oh, Stephen Fry. We do go way back.

Dear The Midwest,

Yesterday evening while I was walking west downtown into a brilliant orange sunset whose glowing center hovered just at eye level above the flat horizon and washed over the landscape like an overturned bucket of blinding paint, I had a great idea.

Have you ever considered mountains?

Hugs & kisses,

B

Dear Mom,

You are fantastic. I try to explain why, but when I see my description in words, it looks insincere and gooey. Let it suffice to say I love you. Have a great day.

Hugs & kisses,
B

Dear Bob Costas,

I can't wait to hang out with you in London this year. Will we see Michael Phelps clean up the gold medals again? Will the Thorpedo be back? What are you going to do without the Bird's Nest? Whatever happens, I know you'll have fun and infect us all with your bright enthusiasm. Bring it on!

Hugs & kisses,
B

Dear Stranger Who Smiled At Me In the Coffee Shop Today,

Don't deny it. You followed me in here. You spontaneously decided to come to the coffee shop after we passed each other on the sidewalk. I know you weren't originally intending to come here because you only spent 10 minutes in here . . . and didn't order coffee. You just sat down near me, read a page in your book, and then made light conversation when you stood to leave. It was all a pretense.

But don't worry. I'll be back again. And (I'm pretty sure) so will you.

Hugs & kisses,
B