Our generosity knows no bounds: for K’s birthday, L and I brought back a piece of wood from Babcia’s kindling pile. You’d think it was a little bit of a trick to get through customs, what with all the questions they ask you about bringing back animal products and farm soil. Surely a chunk of wood would be verboten.

Even if it was intended as support and protection of a painting.

Perhaps Babcia had the right idea: give metal.