Merry Christmas: Several people on this list have expressed an interest in one PERKINS in particular. The details are remarkably similar; his given name is unknown, his origin is completely obscure, and his place of birth is only guessed at. Nobody has any information on the time or place of his death. This person appears over a very wide area, and events involving him are documented for an extraordinarily wide range of time. Yet, he seems to have the ability to be in two places, if not simultaneously, then very nearly so. I have been looking for this person for many years myself. I think I've found him. There *is* a person whose parentage matches his exactly; who is well known to travel at seemingly impossible speeds, yet spend time lovingly attending to children's needs; whose activities are documented for centuries, at least. Santa Claus. Yes indeed, he fits all Help! Ouch! Stop that!! Hey, vegetables are one thing--what are you doing with that FRYING PAN???? Yikes . . . .