Wooden Snakes & Red Santas

Every couple of days, you'll hear a scream emanate from somewhere in our house. Followed by "Good One!"

You know that someone just stumble upon the hidden wooden snake or our four foot tall plastic Santa.

Sidebar - Let me tell you the story about the plastic Santa. About fifteen years ago, I was coming home from work and stopped by Lowes to buy some Christmas decorations. I always wanted a plastic Santa with a light for the front yard. The purchase was made and the proud addition to our family was presented to Carla. Her reaction?
"Why did you buy a black Santa?"
What!?!
Sure enough, I purchase a black Santa (You may think it would be more appropriate to say an African-American Santa - but can plastic have a nation of origin?) A few minutes later, we were on our way back to Lowes to exchange Santa. Carla marched to the customer service counter to make the exchange - only to be confronted by an African-American associate. Awkward!
"What is the reason for your exchanging Santa today?" asked the clerk.
"Because he's black." responded Carla.

Santa is always a surprise on a June morning when he is hiding behind the shower curtain or siting in your car. "Good one!" Come in late at night and Santa is standing in the laundry room....."Good one!"

The wooden snake was some Dollar Store toy that is very realistic in a poorly lit room. Find a snake in your shoe while getting ready for work. "Good one!" Snake appears in the pantry sitting next to the Fruit Loops. "Good one!"

Sometimes life has a wooden snake or red Santa waiting for you. A surprise, something unexpected. When those surprises come, what is your reaction?

The next time you find that wooden snake say, "Good one!"
The next time you see that red Santa say, "Good one!"

Now if you see a real snake? Run.

No Regrets.