Garden "Friend"

This entry makes me think of my cousin Nikki's last entry about a mouse... but my story does not end with a simple "oh, it was a kleenex package, mystery solved".

The weather here turned nice for about 3 days last weekend. It's back to cold, but for three days it was a nice lovely blue sky. Lucas and I worked/slept the first two, so on the third day we really wanted to make the most of it. So, we went outside to pull last year's dead flowers, and plan what we would want to plant this season.

After weeding, we journeyed to a local nursery, and learned we were a few weeks off from planting flowers (it did get to 30 degrees last night). But, we could plant a couple trees or shrubs. (we chose a lovely azalea and a gardenia).

I was taking our new gardenia to the back yard, while Lucas started to plant the azalea in the front. Walking on our path to the back, I was met with the most unlikely of visitors. A two foot SNAKE! I am NOT exaggerating, he was at least two feet long. Light brown/white. I of course screamed like a girl. The snake stopped in it's tracks.

I yelled to Lucas (who instantly thought my water broke). He came running back. He then knew why I screamed. A snake was blocking my path. We have NEVER seen a snake before in our yard. We have only bark dust, no grass... so why would a snake like us! But, he was in our yard, and obviously liking it, since he just slithered off the path and curled up in the sun. Though he did hiss at Lucas when he tried to touch it. I did not try to touch it, but was silently cursing the fact I had my Teva's on, and he could have bit my toe.

Lucas studied his habits for a little bit, then decided to name him Martin. He seems harmless enough.

Now that I know he's around, next time maybe I won't scream. Maybe Martin will kill bugs and slugs for us. Maybe Martin will be New Baby Friedler's baby science project. (assuming Martin doesn't eat baby Friedler). Maybe Martin will find a new how in our neighbors yard, and I'll know he was found when I hear the next loud scream.