Stephenson Family Ties

Anthropomorphism is generally frowned upon. It is said to

be improper to see animals the same way we view ourselves.

We are asked to temper our language when speaking of

animal traits, lest we call them by a name that is not theirs,

forming words in our mouths that do not sound like a

snake's whisper, a grasshopper's clicking.  It seems just

 as odd, though, to sequester ourselves in a cheerless

vault of sentience, sole proprietors of smarts and charm.

 Bees form a mind of a hive, dont they?  Doesnt the bear

dream with it sleeps, and dont grasses stretch with all

their might toward the sun?  Every living thing has the

same wish to flourish again and again.

 Beyond that, our differences are quibbles.

from: The Animal Dialogues

by: Craig Childs

I hope you'll still respect me after I tell you this.
Some of you will undoubtedly look at me differently after I share this tibbit about myself with you.
I pick up snakes.
I pick up dead snakes.
The other day while I was out re-introducing Zoey  to the world of hiking...I came across a baby snake. I dont think I've even seen a baby snake in the wild before.  Unfortunately it was dead.  A roadrunner or some other predator that eats small things got to it.


I'll blame my brother and my mother for my lack of fear of scalely snakes.  My mom caught snakes.  And my brother kept snakes in an aquarium in his room while I was growing up.
So instead of cringing when I spotted this handsome, colorful reptile, I felt sadness and regret that it was dead. Plus, I was frustrated...I didnt have my camera with me.  So, I gingerly picked  him up and actually checked to be sure he wasnt oozing blood anywhere, and carefully placed him between the back pages of the paperback book I was carrying in my pack...for I needed/ wanted to get him back to my place, in one piece to I could photograph him.
Weird I am!!
Who knew that the underbelly of  a king snake was the color of a robin's egg?  A baby blue belly!!! Cool!!!
I am grateful that such unique and colorful creatures grace our planet.  I am grateful that I go outside -a lot-  and am able to stumble upon small wonders and large wonders most every day.