Fractured Thoughts

Snakes in the Garden

I killed my first snake last week. I didn’t mean to. I was mowing under the peonies in the front yard and when I pulled the mower back the snake came with it. It was a bull snake and I had crushed half of him. He was writhing in pain and I did what all emotional women tend to do…I cried. Yes, I was a grown woman standing in the front yard crying. I’m not afraid of snakes. I grew up where there weren’t any poisonous snakes so handling garter snakes was almost a daily occurance in the summer time. Anyway, I knew he wouldn’t live and I couldn’t make myself finish him off so I went looking for my neighbor who was out cutting his grass. I think I spooked him when I showed up in his back yard, grass stained, dishelved hair and crying. I’m sure he thought someone was after me. Anyway, he followed me to the snake and while I averted my eyes he brought the shovel down and put the poor creature out of his misery. He’s a good guy. Didn’t say a word about my tears. He just put the snake in the garbage and told me let him know if I needed anything else.

I have bull snakes and garter snakes in my yard. I don’t mind. They keep away the mice and it’s entertaining to hear squeals from guests and kids when they suddenly see one slithering through the strawberries. I even found a snake skin one had shed in my rock garden. Cool. I have it hanging on a vine and my grandkids think that grandma is pretty special to take on the critters.