Sneaky Snakes

Our lives have been bombarded by snakes lately. As hard as I try not to be squeamish of them, I just can't seem to get used to the idea that one may be lurking around the corner. I'm trying really hard not to make an impression on my kids that may cause them to be afraid of things. I don't want them to develop a fear of something due to my own fear. It's just so hard to stay tough and not show your true feelings in moments like these.
.
Just last week as I opened the door in our bathroom which leads out to the back porch, a snake which must have been resting between the top of the door and the molding fell down as I opened the door and landed right across my arm. I quickly shook it off and did the only thing I could think to do. Besides scream. I covered it with a large bowl and left it for Josh to deal with when he got home from work. (side note... he doesn't like snakes. At all. There just plain creepy he says.)
.
So we found out that it was just a harmless corn snake, but none the less, I wasn't hoping to have one "jump" on me as I headed outdoors.
.
Then today when I went to turn the hose off, a very large black snake greeted me in front of the hose spicket. Harmless, but none the less, I wasn't in the mood nor was I expecting this type of greeting.
.
Needless to say, I ran into the house as quickly without turning the water off. It stayed on until Josh came home from work.
.
Then about an hour after my meeting with the black snake I got a phone call from a very concerned neighbor. As she was passing by our house on her way home, a large diamond back rattle snake was hanging out in our front yard near the road. It was cuddled up near a small pile of yard clippings that Josh had dragged near the road to be picked up.
.
About 30 minutes later the garbage truck that comes around every two weeks or so to pick up yard scraps just happened to arrive. By the time I noticed them out there, they had already spotted the snake and were staking out their plan, shovels and pitchforks in hand. I saw them on the phone probably finding out if it's okay for them to kill it. They corralled the snake and fought a battle until they won. The kids and I were watching like hawks on the front porch as the snake was thrashing and striking and trying to do everything it could to attack.
.
By the way, it wasn't just a little guy either. It certainly would have done some major damage to my little ones who play in the front yard most evenings with the two little boys across the street. Not to mention Lucy our dog who likes to explore the yard as well. Or the three children who live on the other side of the vacant lot next to us who frequently walk over to play.
.
I know that killing the snake will cause many people to stir, but I was just glad it wasn't a decision that I had to make and I'm also glad that I'll sleep a little better tonight knowing that it's not hanging out in my front yard. If it were up to me, I would have of course called the animal control and let them handle it.
.
Not to say there aren't more out there. We know there are. And water moccasins too. The neighborhood kids had a blast catching the fish that were being washed away from the preserves during all the rain we had. They would catch them in buckets before they'd fall down into the drainage grate, just adjacent to our house. Then one day a neighbor spotted a huge moccasin that was dining on the fish that were flowing to the grate. So long are those fun days. That it is home so we just steer clear from it.
.
Oh the joys of living on a preserve. I guess one way to look at it is their family was here first. Not us.
.
So was it shere coincidence that someone in our neighborhood happened to see it and took the time to look our number up to warn us? Was in an accident that the yard waste truck just happened to pull up at the right time. After all it only comes around every couple weeks. Was it by chance that they didn't just routinely grab the pile of clippings without noticing the dangerous snake. I don't think so.

*** Update ~ the day after I wrote this post, as we pulled into the driveway Gracie announces "oh, I see a snake!" This sneaky black snake was greeting us as we pulled up and yes, it was that large that she spotted it from inside the car. Colton tried and tried to catch it but it was way too quick! He hasn't caught a snake yet but wants to so badly! Yikes! I'm not to sure how I feel about this but I do remember my brother always catching snakes. As long as Colton doesn't chase his little sister to her room with it while she screams of fear like I so fondly have the memories of, then I think we'll be okay. Maybe that's why I am so uneasy about snakes! Thanks Brian : )