Thinking about it all, I was allowed more masculine activities for the time in which I was raised. The early 60’s still had a certain air of strict gender roles with respect to toys and playtime. No skirts or frilly dresses, purses or dolls for young Rosa; not by default such as a lack of money; but more from personal choice and pure stubbornness on my part. Being clothed in frilly, girly clothes necessitated staying clean. Impossible when one small, feisty girl child is trying to hop a 6 foot fence without getting hung up, playing stickball in the street, or helping in the garden.

When I was growing up, dirty was the norm during the day with a long, hot bath before traipsing home or sitting down for supper.

It was a long, deep, shiny white claw foot tub. So deep in fact I thought I could easily drown. I needed a step stool to climb over the edge and sink myself into the hot water. If the tub was not covered with a long sheet of thin plywood it was an easy affair. But when it was covered with plywood…

Mi Tio, Mon Oncle was simply a little boy trapped in an adults body. Although he was not allowed under any circumstances to keep the snakes in his bathtub. Or more properly, my Aunt’s bathtub. He did in fact keep them in my Grandparent’s bathtub, which was conveniently located in the apartment next door.

12 Step program for surviving bathing with Snakes, Snails and Puppy Dog Tails:

1) Peer under plywood knowing full well there would be a parcel of snakes in the tub.

2) Get 5 gallon paint bucket from kitchen.

3) Find Grandpa to remove plywood.

4) Reach into tub and scoop a handful of snakes.

5) Place in bucket and repeat until done.

6) Rinse tub.

7) Find step stool in kitchen and drag into bathroom.

8) Fill tub.

9) Climb in tub and soak.

10) Drain tub.

11) Towel dry and dress.

12) Replace snakes in the tub.

Ahhhhhh….wishing for a long, deep, shiny white claw foot tub.

With or without Garter snakes….