Discovery

After 7 years of peaceful cohabitation with the wildlife near our home, it has happened. I dreaded it, and refused to listen to Jason when he teased and said there were definitely snakes close by (lots of woods, brushy areas, etc.). My "If I don't see it, it doesn't exist" mind set has been proven faulty.

While Julian and Kathryn played with their new friend (our neighbor from next door, Jada), Jason and I pulled weeds from the embankment in the back yard. Crab grass really takes off when it rains! Jason was smoothing out the mulch where a footprint had been made, and he found it - a baby snake!

It was less than a foot long and very thin, but it was quick! While I can appreciate the beauty of such a thing - from a distance, or even better on a TV screen - I do not want to encounter it personally, especially in the sanctuary of my living space.

Now, putting aside irrational fears of all snakes, spiders and jumping bugs (kind of), I have a real fear here...if there is ONE baby, there are likely MORE babies, and even worse, there is likely a MAMA snake somewhere near, which my wonderfully supportive husband was quick to inform me could be as wide as my wrist and 3 feet long!

On the bright side, although we couldn't determine what kind of snake it was, it was fairly clear it was NOT a poisonous snake, and actually could be a king snake (which praise the Lord actually EATS other snakes!). Also, Julian and Jada loved it and actually made a game of running from the snake for almost 15 minutes. Julian was even brave enough to reach out and touch it.

I really don't want to know what kind of snake it was. What I want it to go back to my previous understanding with all things natural in the vicinity of my home, which I fear is a thing of the past...