Well said Robin.

I am the same I avoid the politics and a lot of the ugly that I see in the hobby. I simply do not have the time or the inclination to wade through it.

I had friends over last night and they have never handled snakes before, so we were in the snake room and I was explaining the different morphs and what the combinations do with each other etc.

We spent 90% of our time on the normals, comparing them, noting the differences, and just really appreciating their beauty, the tone to the bodies, the way they moved, etc.

I love getting to look at a collection through a few sets of completely new eyes. The one snake that took everyone's breath away was the one normal female I hatched out this year.

And she is hands down, JUST a normal.

I get a very similar feel when I explain my snakes, because I start to remember each one's story. And it always takes me on a great journey through my years in the hobby and (as you noted) the great people I have met, the experiences, the learning, and the community.

When my friends asked me what two snakes I would keep... it was Olive and Kevin (and it always is) two normals that are my two favorite snakes to handle. And they did their best to win over my friends last night as well.

It has to be about these amazing animals, or why do it?

Thanks for such a great post.
Bruce