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Patience!

Annie:  What do you mean, ‘Patience’, Shell?  What does Patience have to do with the latest Leaf?  Here’s a cute photo of him, by the way.

Young Patience - photo by Annie

Shell: But, Annie, that’s a pretty old photo of Patience! He’s a handsome full-grown rooster now–except that of course he’s very small, being a bantam.

Annie: I lost my camera for a few months.  This pic is from November, I think.  Anyway, I thought you were calling for him.

Shell: No, Annie.  I was just letting our readers know to, um, have patience.  Jane’s still revising the new Leaf.  But she hopes to have it posted early next week.

Santa (sagely):  Writer’s block.

Shell: Well, not really.  She’s already written the Leaf.  So it can’t be writer’s block.

Santa: Phobia of revision?

Shell: But she’s revising it–she’s not afraid of the Leaf, at least I don’t think so.  Though … in a way … the Leaf is kind of scary.

Santa: No, it isn’t.

Shell: Yes, it is.

Santa: No, it–

Shell (interrupting): Anyway, check back on Leap Day!  Yeah, for sure it will be posted by then!

Annie: Why?

Shell:  Because — Leap Day!  Get it, get it?  Leaf Day!

Santa: No, Shell.  I really don’t.

 

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What’s Up With The Leaf?

Annie: Did you see? Worms are dangling from trees! Yellow-pale-green long worms from those short shrubby trees, and little tight curling worms on those tall pale trees.

Santa: Worms? Where! Don’t tell me the tent caterpillars are back!

Shell: Huh? What are you both talking about? Worms on the trees?

Tam The Teapot: Ah hem, I believe Annie is referring to catkins. I too have noticed that some shrubs and some trees are now displaying catkins. Some are yellow-green, some reddish brown. Other trees have other kinds, I suspect.  Catkins are basically the trees’ flowers.

Shell:  So the trees have flowers, and not worms?  That’s a lot more pleasant!

Tam The Teapot:  Indeed!

Annie:  I wonder if trees in other places have worms all over them right now–I mean catkins?  Hey, readers —  [Annie looks at you!]  — do any trees in your neighborhood have dangly-things all over, and no leaves?

Shell:  Hey, I have a joke!  Fresh from my Joke Shop!

Santa: What is it?  I could listen to something funny about now.

Shell:  Okay, here it is:  How is Jane’s book writing like those trees with all the catkins?

Santa:  Uh, gee, Shell.  How?

Shell:  Her book still has no new leaves.  Ha ha!

Santa: Not very funny–

Shell:  Maybe not, but it’s true.  Jane is working on the book–my book–and had hoped to post a new Leaf today, but ….

Annie:  She’s covered with worms instead?

Shell:  Annie, I just don’t think so.

Tam The Teapot: In any case, dear Reader.  Jane begs your patience and pardon.  She’s pretty sure the next Leaf will be ready sometime next week.

Annie:  The first Leaf of 2012–how exciting!

Santa: Hm.  We’ll see …..

To Be Continued!