Stopping by for a visit!

  Sitting on the little back deck of the greenhouse was the one place that I found a bit of breeze.  It was warmish and with a north wind, things feel a lot hotter here on the Bayou.  We love our good, strong Bay breezes. The north wind seems to just make the place hotter during the summer months. The slight breeze plus the shade of the scuppernong arbor made this the coolest spot in the yard.  Bad part was the bazillion or so mosquitoes that were buzzing about the place.  I was afraid that my stay would end before I wished.  As I was sitting there, a sudden thought crept into my brain.  "There is a snake around here somewhere."  Call it gut instinct, intuition, a premonition or whatever you wish, I can usually "feel" that I am in the presence of a snake far long before I see one.  Besides, snakes smell!

  Even though I was sitting down on the little deck and was surrounded by any number of snaky hiding places, I was more curious than frightened.  So I sat as motionless as I could considering that I was being eaten alive by those mosquitoes!  It did not take long before I spied my company.  There, next to the old oak tree, a long, slender snake quietly slithered among the palmettos. I watched for a moment and then slipped off the deck to join my friend.

  What a beauty!  This was gorgeous rat snake that measured in just about 4 feet in length.  It had obviously shed recently as its colors were still quite vibrant.  From my new perch on a root of the oak tree, the snake and I were within arm's reach.  After a few moments, I gently stretched out my hand until I was inches away.  Despite the mosquito swarm that decide my face was a food source, I, once again, remained motionless.  The snake would have to make the effort to come to me now. Curiosity finally got the best of the snake.  Slowly, slowly, it inched forward and then very calmly moved across my hand and onto my arm.  Aww, I was being hugged by a snake!  So many folks never get to interact with critters of this sort and they will never know the thrill it gives.  

  I grew up not fearing snakes.  Pop always said "Let the snakes watch out for themselves."  He was one that respected nature and taught us to do the same.  I am glad that I was brought up the way I was.  Life is good.