Yet Another Crisis

I'm so sorry to have kept you in suspense, but I have barely had a moment on the computer all day, partly because I have to share with a three year old. It's been a beautiful day here, so I spent a lot of time outside. Once again, I have put a movie on for the kids so I can type in peace! Real good parenting, you say. Oh yeah!

Freddy has been found, what a relief! This story is so anti-climactic that it's just silly. I actually did not sleep well last night, thanks to my worrying. I got up a little early and was all ready to drag the kids into the van to drive to the playground, when suddenly Connor remembered that he had put Freddy in the closet. And there he was, right where we didn't manage to find him last night. Usually Connor does remember these things, and he did, just not at bedtime. A boring but oh so happy end to this story.

But, one crisis does seem to beget another. And I'm beginning to wonder if life (or more specifically parenting) isn't just a series of small catastrophes, all designed to keep you on your game. Seriously, the situation with Freddy now seems like nothing compared to the next one. There I was on the deck this morning, enjoying a little mid-morning sunshine, when what to my horrified eyes should appear, but a snake. Oh, it wasn't anything dangerous or poisonous, but if you know me, you know that snakes are definitely at the bottom of my list of favorite animals. There really is nothing I like less than a snake - not even a rat, heck, not even a naked mole rat (which are hideously ugly and are pictured in one of Connor's books - try looking them up on Google images). My skin immediately began to crawl and did not stop feeling that way until the thing was gone from my sight. I followed it, from a distance, as it made its way around my yard, like it knew exactly where it was going. It eventually found its way to the back fence, where it slithered through into the forest to where I could no longer see it. Such relief. It was only yesterday that I had wondered if we might see snakes in our yard, as we do back onto a forest. We've seen such an array of (mostly wonderful) creatures so far, but I suppose this was inevitable.

The horror does not end there, oh no. A couple hours later when I was out in the yard again, horror of horrors, I saw the snake again! Had it come back?! Again I watched as it slithered away (ewww). I was really starting to be creeped out. I went and stood on my usual rock by the pond to check for the fish, and it wasn't until many seconds later when I looked down close to my feet, that I saw yet another snake! I just about hit the roof (figuratively, of course, as I was outside). It was halfway out of the rocks and was not in the least bit worried about me. Well, I armed myself with a rake (any better suggestions?) as that seemed to provide the most protection. I ever so carefully tried to nudge the thing with the rake, and it didn't even care!! I did the same thing to the other one once I caught sight of it again, and it too seemed to have no fear of me. Okay, I can handle spiders and other creepy crawly things, because they are afraid of me!! This is just breaking all the rules. By now my yard is starting to feel like some horror movie set, or something out of a nightmare, and I'm already envisioning moving away (not going to happen). I need to come up with some sort of trap so maybe I can decrease the population somewhat. I'm sure there were 3 separate ones today, and if there are 3, there are more than 3, I'm convinced. All I could think was, at least they're outside, because if one gets into my house, I will be traumatized for life. I am not exaggerating. You might think I'm being over-dramatic (it's been known to happen with me, just ask my Darling Husband), but I really cannot over-state my horror of these creatures. I mentioned this story to my friend, Kim, and she said that she had actually found one in her basement!! She had thought it was a toy, but as she got closer, it moved! Can you imagine!! I would likely faint in fear. She was lucky that her husband was home, and he dealt with it, but these situations usually come up for me on the odd occasion when my husband is on the other side of the country.

Okay, so then I was slowly starting to come to terms with this whole crisis, and realizing how important it is that I do not freak out in front of the kids. Logan didn't seem to care when I told him, but Connor and Taya were very interested and excited when I told them after school. I even....took....a....picture. Can't believe it. They thought it was great. Which brings me to the next issue. We haven't seen the fish all day. Now, one has been "missing" for a few days, so I don't want to be an alarmist, but Goldie and Black Spots are pretty regular. Then I do some reading online about garter snakes, and apparently, they eat fish! They specifically like hanging around ponds. Oh dear Lord. It's been 24 hours, and no fish. These are not small fish either - probably twice the diameter of the snake. I have no proof of this, but I have a very bad feeling. The kids are taking it all in stride, but I am not. I was attached to those little fishies. How dare a snake come along and snatch them from my pond! I paid good money for those so my children could enjoy them! Dastardly. I am hoping to be proved wrong here, but am losing hope. The snakes seem to have done their nasty deed and vanished. I'm sure they'll be back. Evil creatures. At least if they had some useful purpose, I could perhaps handle it, but they don't. (Oh, they do eat mice, but I would rather have a mouse than a snake in my house any day of the week). You can bet I will be lying in wait (figuratively) for those blasted snakes, and when my husband gets home, there's going to be trouble (hope he's feeling brave).

Did I mention how thankful I am to have such a wonderful yard? It truly is a blessing and I really am thankful. It's perfect for entertaining and for the kids to play and see nature, so I will learn to love (or at least tolerate) all the creatures that come along with it. I will even suck it up and be brave for my kids' sake. I am very conscious of passing on my (mostly irrational) fears to my kids, so perhaps this will be a good lesson for me, albeit one I really don't feel like learning.

It's my turn to watch a movie this evening. My friend Kim (as mentioned earlier) is coming over once the kids are in bed, and I'm going to try to forget about all things slithery.

Thanks for reading my blog. I likely will not always post every day, but I'm sure there will be lots more crises to keep it going! I love your comments too - a highlight of my day, so keep 'em coming!