I think I've identified this morning's visitor. It is likely a Coachwhip snake, related to the Red Racer. I looked at so many pictures of snakes on the internet I started to really get freaked out.
And, from what I have read, they're venomous.
What I learned today is to keep my story to myself. Why? Because when you tell someone about a head injury or a broken bone you have suffered, they immediately begin to tell you about their own injuries. So I have been hearing people's snake stories today. I DON'T WANT TO HEAR THEM!!!!!!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Trauma With a Capital T
Tuesday I accidentally left the sliding glass door open all night. Didn't realize it till the next morning as I was getting ready to take Shay to school. I kinda laughed and said, "Well, I guess we'll be finding all kinds of bugs in the house now." Just as I was saying it, Shay made a noise and then exclaimed, "There's a big spider on my leg!" And it was. It wasn't a black widow or anything like that, but I killed it anyway. Don't need those bugs in the house.
Well this morning I went out to check all the trees in the back yard since Steve had just made a repair to the system that waters them all. Then I glanced in the pool. Ick, a baby rabbit had gotten in there and drowned. So I fished him out and threw him away. Poor baby. As I neared the pool skimmer, I decided to pop that open really quick and make sure the basket inside was not full of leaves and stuff.
And this surprised me:
Coiled up under the skimmer lid was a light brown snake. You could say I was just a little horrified. I was actually a LOT horrified. Yep, Shawna's very very afraid of snakes. Doesn't matter if they're someone's wonderful pet, or a dangerous rattler, I react to all of them in the same way: pure horror.
I dropped the skimmer lid and ran to the house. I tried calming myself but it wasn't working. I called Steve and screamed and cried into the phone. I really did feel bad because I knew all he was hearing was the word "snake" and me screaming. I couldn't form the words, "I did not get bit, I'm just flipping out."
Once he got me to breathe and calm down, I explained what happened. He called his brother and asked if he could come help me out.
Thankfully, Jack does not feel the same way about snakes as I do.
He pinned the snake by his head and picked him up. All the while I watched with my phone and camera, ready to document as if Jack were suddenly Steve Irwin.
Jack did admit, he was expecting a 6 inch long baby snake. This one was about 4 feet long, with white stripes on its head and neck. Don't know what kind it was, but obviously it wasn't some venomous serpent. It wrapped itself pretty good around his arm for a little bit there. Then it loosened up as he carried it away:
Jack admitted that he may have hurt the thing when he was pinning it down. The jaw was crooked. Of course now I feel bad because I do realize the snake was just accidentally in the pool skimmer. He didn't go in there to cause all kinds of problems. And he wasn't hiding out to snap at me and pump all kinds of venom into my vodka-filled veins. (Oh by the way I'm going to start drinking vodka now, after all this trauma)
BUT, now we have a maimed snake in the neighborhood who's probably going to have to wear a chalkboard around his neck like Anthony Hopkins in "Legends of the Fall" in order to just say "SSSSSSSSSSSSS" and tomorrow while I am out doing yard work this snake will be coming up to me and pointing at the "SSSSSSSSSSS" on his chalkboard.
Ugh.
So, guess who is probably responsible for the baby rabbit in the pool? Kitty Meow Meow. He likely chased it in there last night. And who knew about the snake out there? Kitty Meow Meow. He didn't even say a word to warn me. He just sat near the doorway of the house, staring outside.
"Nope. Not going outside today. I saw a snake earlier."
Thanks, Kitty.
Well this morning I went out to check all the trees in the back yard since Steve had just made a repair to the system that waters them all. Then I glanced in the pool. Ick, a baby rabbit had gotten in there and drowned. So I fished him out and threw him away. Poor baby. As I neared the pool skimmer, I decided to pop that open really quick and make sure the basket inside was not full of leaves and stuff.
And this surprised me:
Coiled up under the skimmer lid was a light brown snake. You could say I was just a little horrified. I was actually a LOT horrified. Yep, Shawna's very very afraid of snakes. Doesn't matter if they're someone's wonderful pet, or a dangerous rattler, I react to all of them in the same way: pure horror.
I dropped the skimmer lid and ran to the house. I tried calming myself but it wasn't working. I called Steve and screamed and cried into the phone. I really did feel bad because I knew all he was hearing was the word "snake" and me screaming. I couldn't form the words, "I did not get bit, I'm just flipping out."
Once he got me to breathe and calm down, I explained what happened. He called his brother and asked if he could come help me out.
Thankfully, Jack does not feel the same way about snakes as I do.
He pinned the snake by his head and picked him up. All the while I watched with my phone and camera, ready to document as if Jack were suddenly Steve Irwin.
Jack did admit, he was expecting a 6 inch long baby snake. This one was about 4 feet long, with white stripes on its head and neck. Don't know what kind it was, but obviously it wasn't some venomous serpent. It wrapped itself pretty good around his arm for a little bit there. Then it loosened up as he carried it away:
Jack admitted that he may have hurt the thing when he was pinning it down. The jaw was crooked. Of course now I feel bad because I do realize the snake was just accidentally in the pool skimmer. He didn't go in there to cause all kinds of problems. And he wasn't hiding out to snap at me and pump all kinds of venom into my vodka-filled veins. (Oh by the way I'm going to start drinking vodka now, after all this trauma)
BUT, now we have a maimed snake in the neighborhood who's probably going to have to wear a chalkboard around his neck like Anthony Hopkins in "Legends of the Fall" in order to just say "SSSSSSSSSSSSS" and tomorrow while I am out doing yard work this snake will be coming up to me and pointing at the "SSSSSSSSSSS" on his chalkboard.
Ugh.
So, guess who is probably responsible for the baby rabbit in the pool? Kitty Meow Meow. He likely chased it in there last night. And who knew about the snake out there? Kitty Meow Meow. He didn't even say a word to warn me. He just sat near the doorway of the house, staring outside.
"Nope. Not going outside today. I saw a snake earlier."
Thanks, Kitty.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
New Hat
It's called a Duster Cap. I needed it for the big Tea Party on April 15th. I'll be dressing up as Betsy Ross.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Peanut Butter Cookies
People are always surprised that I can cook a decent meal that doesn't cause food poisoning.
I've maintained that anyone can cook, they just have to be willing to take a chance on dishes that they've never tried.
But deep down I hold a secret, so terribly, terribly awful.
I can't make cookies.
Whether it's a roll of Pillsbury Doughboy stuff, or a box of mix, or cookies from scratch; my cookies are NEVER right.
But I can make cake and pie like nobody's business. Cupcakes are a snap. Custard is no problem.
The friggin cookies elude me.
Until last night. I googled a peanut butter cookie recipe, got out the ingredients, and started workin'.
A while later, I had a batch of cookies that were edible and not too shabby looking.
I've turned a corner.
I've maintained that anyone can cook, they just have to be willing to take a chance on dishes that they've never tried.
But deep down I hold a secret, so terribly, terribly awful.
I can't make cookies.
Whether it's a roll of Pillsbury Doughboy stuff, or a box of mix, or cookies from scratch; my cookies are NEVER right.
But I can make cake and pie like nobody's business. Cupcakes are a snap. Custard is no problem.
The friggin cookies elude me.
Until last night. I googled a peanut butter cookie recipe, got out the ingredients, and started workin'.
A while later, I had a batch of cookies that were edible and not too shabby looking.
I've turned a corner.
Corned Beef and Cabbage Extravaganza
I cooked two big slabs of corned beef all day Sunday, in addition to the cowboy beans, the stupid cabbage (blech!) the secret recipe corn bread, the Pioneer Woman Smashed Potatoes, and Steve's lovely Buttermilk Chess Pie.
And the guests were a diverse, wonderful group of people who have all been jonesin' for some corned beef!
We were blown off by one family member, of course. Nothing like consistency, huh?
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