Sherbet with Old Sante Claus

Once upon a time, there was a small girl whose travels took her to the enchanted land of KOSOVO. There she saw the most beautiful mountains and flowers that grow taller than she was. One day she ventured forth, wearing her magic pink outfit and gold lame' slippers. She was thinking of how nice it would be if Christmas was in July. She could go to the beach, play in the rain, and decorate the Christmas tree with sunflowers and red poppy’s. She could eat lemon flavored snow cones in a paper cup. How refreshing it would be to eat Orange Sherbet and drink Limon/Lime Soda til you POP! She could dress her dolly in a swim suit and let her swim in the lake. Wouldn't it be great to see Sante Claus and have him take my photo in my pink ensemble? Her thoughts traveled aimlessly as smoke and fog on the mountain.

Suddenly, Someone said, “Hey, Snap Out of it, enough of that Lolly Gagging, look right here and Smile.” Suddenly there was a bright flash. She saw stars and sparkly things like the 4th of July. As her sight returned, there, behind the camera, was Old Sante Claus, and I have photos to prove it! Really, I am not fooling. It was him alright. He was as real as real can be and he was wearing Red Sneakers, a Red T-Shirt, White Suspenders, and Blue Jeans. He was carrying his red and white stripped walking stick. On top of his white head he had a pair of red sunglasses.
She and Old Sante became instant friends. They laughed and talked for hours about Stocking Stuff, Pink, as a favorite color, and the importance of Ice Cream as a food group. They discovered that they both like Orange Sherbet with Limon/Lime soda and they loved to celebrate “Christmas in July”. So they went to the Soda Shop and ordered the Orange Sherbet Limon/Lime Soda, XXXL. Of all the slurping and gulping, it took place, a race to swill them down. They both had big orange mustaches and pooched out bellies. Boy, they were suffering from sugar rush complicated by serious brain freeze.
They decided to take a survey to determine their most favorite Ice Cream. They had heard all the jingles and knew all the words to the commercials, but the proof was in the taste. “What is your most favorite Ice Cream, Deary?” Old Sante asked? Um, Well, Uh, My most favorite is Strawberry Cheesecake Tutee Fruttie T’Booty Parfait. It’s Yummy! He chuckled and smiled and wiped her orange upper lip. She smiled; she had him pegged for a Banana Split Man. Old Sante Claus said, my very most favorite Ice Cream is FROZEN! The little girl laughed so hard she tumped over her parlor chair. Her dolly went one way and her Sherbet Spoon went the other. When she hit the floor, she awoke from her dreams. She was faced with the Big Question. Is it better to have your picture taken with Old Sante Claus rather than by Old Sante Claus?

James E. Webber, Old Sante Claus, December2009