I Like Sinks

I have it on good authority* that as a young child I once declared “I don’t like sinks!” The remark had my parents stumped. Had some bad experience with a faucet inspired my dislike? Was I entering a phase where I was suddenly averse to bathing?

As it turned out, the confusion stemmed from a pronunciation error. You see, the word that most people pronouced “snakes” had come out of my toddler mouth as “sinks.” As for where my dislike of these creatures stemmed from, well, snakes tend to get a bad rap in much media including the Bible so my dislike is far less puzzling.

Anyway, I was thinking about sinks/snakes this past weekend when I was out on the patio and noticed something in the grass. A small garter snake was soaking up some sun:

Before I could snap his picture, though, the snake disappeared down a little hole in the grass. I was kind of bummed out that I wasn’t quick enough, but then a few minutes later he magically reappeared and I was able to take the picture you see above.

Perhaps toddler me would have run screaming in terror, but I have changed my opinion of snakes. Sure, some of them are dangerous and its wise to keep a safe distance from them, but a lot of them like many of the snakes we often see around here like this garter snake are harmless creatures. I’m not sure I would ever want a snake as a pet, but I’m cool with sharing the backyard with them.

I haven’t seen my snake friend since I snapped his photo, but this morning when I was outside watering some plants, I noticed something in the grass not far from where I first saw the snake, and realized it was a shed snakeskin.

Looks like that little snake is doing some growing!

My relationship with snakes is proof that our tastes and opinions do change over time. I went through a phase in my youth where I believed Choose Your Own Adventure Novels were the height of literature, and yet it’s been years since I’ve read one of these. Of course, my parents always swore up and down that I would like coffee when I got older, and that hasn’t happened. So, you never know.

But sinks? (Or snakes as they are more commonly known) I actually do like them.

— Alissa

*my mom, who also happens to be my most loyal reader