You know, there are some very generous people on this forum.
After a brutal week, I went on down to the post office today and collected packages. In addition to the usual promos, I found that people had been strikingly generous.
Not only did I receive four samples, but one member -- who may speak up if anonymity is not wanted -- sent a lovely brand new pipe!
There was a lovely note included mentioning that, since the package to me from the last caption contest went missing and the re-send did not include a pipe, this might heal the wound.
It did, and I am bowled over. Thank you all! There's a Christmas message in here somewhere, but I am probably too holiday inept to interpret it.