Thanks for the input.
Richard always had me make sometimes silly mock ups before we started working on a book together. I think it was B13 Extreme that originally had a working cover with an Easter bunny kissing a stuffed animal.
At this early point, I am setting up the book's color palette, font usage and general look and feel -- the graphic design. The pic was something I made for something else that never came out, and happened to fit the color scheme. From your reaction, it is unlikely to make it to the final cut.