Oh, I am a contented, though still singularly squirrely, Santa!

Severn's nuts have been gathered, wrapped, packed, and consigned to the tender ministrations of my local Village Postmistress. Soon (within a week or so) his parcel should have completed its perilous journey to Severn's neck of the woods.

Will he wait 'til Christmas to unwrap it, I wonder, or will the intriguing odours of the nuts pervade his being until he simply must open his parcel? No matter: Even if he does, he will still have a layer of wrapping paper and string to get through before the nature of his gift is revealed.

As to when he opens it, Severn may wait until his chosen Midwinter Holiday or not, as far as I'm concerned. I am a squirrel, after all, and we are not troubled by such details -- though I myself would certainly never open any gift sent to ME before its appointed time. One word of caution, though: If--

(As it turns out, one word of caution is rather less than adequate, isn't it? One SENTENCE of caution, then:) If Severn doesn't wish to know what manner of thing lurks inside the wrapping paper, he should not only not open the wrapped gift before his chosen Midwinter Holiday, but he should in addition not read the accompanying note until The Day has dawned.

Whenever and however he chooses to unwrap it, it is my fondest hope that he will enjoy his gift at least half as much as I have enjoyed being his own, his very own
Secret Squirrel
Singularly Squirrely Santa