In India, moonstone is regarded as a sacred stone. It is believed to bring good fortune. And really, couldn’t we all use more good fortune in 2011?

Young Man, Aged 17 to 30: “What is this?”

You: “A Timex Core Easy Reader Wrist Watch”

Young Man: “A wrist what?”

You: “A wrist watch. It’s like a man bracelet that tells you what time it is. It’s very retro.”

Young Man: “Cool. Like something one of those old time dudes, like Brando, or Sinatra, or George Clooney would wear.”

You: “Exactly, more or less.”

Young Man: “Cool, very cool.”

Teenaged Girl Fashion Blogger: “This is like the most perfect gift ever.”

You: “So it hooks right up to your laptop.”

Teenaged Girl Fashion Blogger: “Thank you so much. Now, I can do my haul videos.”

You (via phone): “Did you guys get the gift certificate.”

Family Member Living in Omaha: “Did we ever!”

You: “So, so, you liked it?”

Family Member Living in Omaha: “Marcy said it was just like you to come up with such an unusual gift. For me, just the picture reminded me of that weekend the three of us drove from Boston to Maine to visit L.L.Bean. ”

You: “That was fun.”

Family Member Living in Omaha: “We’re really looking forward to the meal. Why don’t you fly out here and eat it with us? Don’t you have some time off in January?”

You: “Carrying a notebook is a good habit to get into.

Young Person: “You mean like a laptop?”

You: “No, I mean like a blank notebook and a good pen, you know, so you can record your observations. You said you maybe wanted to be a writer. Look, here’s mine…see, I wrote down these notes about the waiter at lunch.”

Young Person: “Oh, wow, that’s funny.”

You: “Try it for a couple of weeks.”

Young Person: “Okay, I will.”

Him: “Do you like it?”

Her: “OMG!!!! OMG!!!! OMG!!!! OMG!!!!” *copious ecstatic weeping*

Manolo says, to be counted among the things the Manolo does not understand is this, the Reverse Eternity Ring, made of platinum and containing two carats of diamonds hidden inside the band.

All the Manolo can do when presented with such wrong-headed objects is cite to you the scripture Luke 11:33

P.S. Via the Manolo’s internet friend Chloe at the blog Her Accessories.