For several years, we have had “the snake” out here on our “2.2” on Old Military Trail. I had seen it quite a few times while I mowed and trimmed during the first few years of keeping up with yard work, but the 1st time someone else really noticed it was when daughterin-law, Holley, noticed it as she headed out to retrieve something from their vehicle in the driveway and came back into the house, yelling for Will and rather “excited.” She said there was no way she was going to go out there alone and “on foot!” So, “hero Will,” saved the day by carrying her on his back, and all was well. (Snake was maybe 2½ feet long, but you know how big they look if you are afraid!)
The episode, witnessed by many, was rather forgotten, especially since I did not talk about all the times that I “found the snake” during the next few years. However, the next sighting by the “crew” ended as “the snake” crawled between the bricks and wall space and disappeared into who knows where. I told the gathered and excited group that the snake was just as little as during the previous sighting and maybe was even a different one, but I lied. It looked exactly the same and was more than three (3) feet long and a little fatter!
Fast forward some years, and “the snake” is out by the barbecue grill, and I call wife, Vivian, to come out and see the little snake. I must admit that she was rather skittish and stayed well behind me as I laid a “yard stick” next to it…..and the snake was at least six (6) inches longer!
A few more years, and “the snake” was on the back porch when Weston and Katie had some friends over to use the back yard for a play area for the friends’ children. Well, I called my wife to look at it, and she said, “You have to tell the ‘kids’ so that if it crawls out to where they are playing, they will be aware and maybe not too afraid.” (Sure!) Viv was appalled when we measured the area where the snake had lain and found the space to be more than four (4) feet long.
Last year when I was trimming the bois d’arc trees out in the “draw” near the back of the property, I was shocked to see “the snake,” because he had been missing for two or three seasons—and I was afraid he was dead or had gone to be someone else’s friend!
But, guess what? He was back and slithered up a tree and just sat and looked at me for maybe a quarter hour while I trimmed. I guess he recognized me and remembered how nice I am!
Conclusion: This spring, when Ella and Luke (Waylon’s and Mary Anne’s) were spending a couple nights with Grandpa and Mimi, I found him again, out by the shed and near the fruit trees. He was alive, and well, and a little fatter, and could still slither and climb like a champion. I did not get to measure him this year, because as I held him up on a stick, he got away from me—and that was the signal for Mimi and the Grandchildren to remember they had things to do in the house!
I believe MR. SNAKE, as I now call him, is the same one I see nearly every year or so, and I believe he is nearing five (5) feet in length!
P. S. He is not poisonous and has never tried to bite me! I believe it to be a rat snake, bull snake, or chicken snake. Maybe one day I will find out for sure, if I am not too “chicken” to hold him for a really close study!
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