Snake season is in full force around here. I’ve seen three different snakes in the past five days. Honestly . . I’ve seen enough! No more snakes . . please! And, why do snakes look just like water hoses? I have water hoses everywhere in the garden and that’s how I almost stepped on the first snake . . it looked like a water hose. Now, I’m being really careful where I step.
A couple of days, ago, I went to turn on the water faucet and I heard what sounded like a snake rustling through the grass. I looked around and didn’t see one so I began watering the garden. I looked over at the chickens and they were all lined up like little first graders watching a movie . . they were all standing as still as could be, with their necks stretched out peering over at something. The snake! It was a ribbon snake. I’m still of the mindset that the only good snake is a dead snake so I went to get something to kill it and the closest thing I could find was a sledge hammer. The snake was faster than I was and it got away.
You should see me walking now. I’m looking everywhere . . not a step without first making sure there’s no snake headed my direction. But . . how can I look up and down at the same time?
Yesterday, as I was going through the garden gate, I happened to look up. There’s a critter above the gate, waiting to jump down on me I’m sure.
See . . he’s checking me out . .dinner he must be thinking!
I guess if the snake on the ground doesn’t get me, the lizard above will do it. Maybe I need some kind of body armor and a helmet before going out into the garden. Or, maybe I just need to get rid of the flip flops and put on the snake boots.
Did you notice how pretty the sky looks? Have I said how much I like Texas . . just not the Texas critters! 🙂
Mary C in WA says
Sorry about the critters, maybe smacking two sticks to make a racket would help. It worked on the “Parent Trap” for Hailey Mills’ fathers lady friend…LOL
Lyn says
I was wondering when you would start encountering the unpleasant Texas critters. Have you found any scorpions or tarantulas yet? The nasty critters and unrelenting dust is what I did not like about living in Texas. I hope you will find ways to control them and continue to enjoy your new home.
Lyn
in beautiful North Georgia
Sandra Neel Hutchins says
And I thought I had it bad this morning when an inch worm got on the back of my neck while I was pruning roses! Snakes around here like to slither up the trees and hang out in them. My husband shot one out of a tree with the shot gun. I’m like you, I’m looking ahead, to both sides, and in the trees when I’m outside. Any snake terrifies me! But, I love living in the country. I prefer snakes to noisy, nosy, neighbors any day!!!
Jeanne says
OMG! The critter hanging above the gate would scare me to death. I could just see it jumping on my back as I went through the gate! And snakes…eeewwww!!! I’m a real chicken when it comes to bugs and reptiles. I get the creepy crawlies when I see one. I have to start jumping up and down and flipping my hair and flinging my shirt around to make sure nothing is on me. Then I feel swirmy all day.I live in Oregon and only have snakes for reptiles, but that’s too much for me. I just had a giant black ant on my arm in my house a couple of days ago and I hadn’t been outside that day. I couldn’t figure out where it came from. Now I’m all freaked out about the ant. Where there’s one, there’s more. Yuck!!!
Tinkerfeet says
I am a Texan born and raised there, now as a old lady I am a zonie, you will get so you also love the critters as much as everything else there. Get your self a little .22 and carry that with you. Use snake shot in it. And by the way your fence friend loves to eat lettuce. You will have him eating out of your hand. Enjoy Texas, I miss it.
Penny J Holliday says
Judy ~ I can relate to this. My biggest fear is snakes & we have many varieties here on our property in CA. Lizards bother me also, because when I see them I immediately think snake!! I, too need additional eyes in the back & top of my head! I know I should be grateful but it freaks me out when hawks & owls fly overhead w/ their captive snakes!! Please let us know when you figure out how to look down & up all at once when necessary!! Thanks,
Penny
Ranch Wife says
This is a flip flop free zone! No one in our family even owns any. No sandals either and we only wear shorts when we work out. I’m thinking these critters have heard you praising your new oasis and they figured they didn’t want to miss out!
Amie T says
Thanks for your thoughts on the Fire, I’m holding out. You mentioned your LA was an 04, well mine is an…1998 haha! Runs good, no issues, not upgrading. I just thought having a camera on my tablet would keep me more organized bc I tend to misplace things…lol.
Amie
happy quilter says
It’s the visual–you, the sledgehammer and an errant snake . . . priceless!
Rosalie says
When I started reading about the snakes, I wondered about you and your flip-flops…..it is time for a pair of shoes – something easy to slip in and out of…. And maybe get the chickens to go in ahead of you to clear the way! Guard chicken – or just get a few guineas…they love to eat snakes!
Vicky says
Ewwww, I hate snakes! Keep us posted!!
Donna K. from N. TX says
The not so beautiful part of country living. Snakes gross me out and I hate it when my cat brings ones into the house. Lizards are not as gross but they need to be small. Shivers are running down my back. Ick!
Linda in NE says
You do seem to have a lot of critters of the reptilian variety. DH just battles the deer and pheasants in his garden.
Dar in MO says
I’m not sure I could handle all the snakes and lizards hanging around where I want to be. Maybe wearing bells on your flip-flops would warn them you were coming and to get out of your way. I’d look into the guineas if they eat them – even though they might be a bit noisy. They would warn you of other dangerous critters too.
Linda B in MI says
creeps me out!
Pat says
I am with you….the only good snake is a dead one. I’d be really scared walking around in a place that has so many of them.
KatieQ says
I think you need a pith helmet like jungle explorers used to wear.
Maxine says
Judy get some GuineaFowl dont need a coop sleep in the trees and worry snakes out of the garden also other pests good asa guard dog too
Maxine
peggy says
For years and years I’ve said the only good snake is a dead one. Although I’m trying to adopt a “don’t kill the natives” attitude, I still feel that way about snakes.
Charlene says
When my sister, Beryl, was visiting the first time in Texas, she met a scorpion on the way to the bedroom and met a tribe of fire ants while taking out the trash in bare feet. She then declared that Texas was never meant to be inhabited by humans! I sometimes think she’s right!
Brandy M. says
As long as the snakes aren’t the kind that bite… (hurt you, in other words), I’d be OK. I think? LOL. Cool lizard! It’ll eat bugs that would eat your veggies, right?
Beryl says
Judy I think the best suggestion is from the reader who suggested you carry a .22!!