Monday, August 17, 2009

Even going to the grocery store is exciting around here

First of all - THANK YOU ALL for your supportive comments on the last blog post. I am so glad to see that there are many others (including Philly locals and fans) that are seriously disgusted by the acquisition of Vick. I mean, we wouldn't hire teachers with those kinds of "credentials" would we?? Why is it ok for athletes who are just as influential (if not more so) over our kids? I just don't get it and as a coach I would never compromise the integrity of my team just for the hope of winning games. Whatever. My boycott continues............

On to more interesting (maybe) stories...........WARNING: I have learned that I need to warn the squeemies when there will be snake pictures on the blog!!!!

Yesterday we were on our way to the grocery store. As we pulled out of our driveway onto the road we noticed something in the road. Sorry for the bad picture - all I had was my phone camera.



Helloooooooooooooooooo Mr. Copperhead! Luckily, we had one of these in the back of the truck.


So, we caught him (because he was going to get squished in the road) and then drove him out to the local Wildlife Management Area for release. This guy was FEISTY!!!!! He was striking at us and spewing venom all over the place. Wayne was finally able to wrangle him into the bucket though with neither one of them getting hurt. It really is amazing how different snakes have different temperaments (like different breeds of dogs do). It isn't absolute of course, but generally you know which dogs you really need to be aware of and which are usually good natured. I learned this very well being a vet tech for 10 years! We knew which dogs were going to be likely to bite us.

Hopefully he is enjoying his new home. He can't help the fact that he is poisonous. I don't see the point in killing anything unless you absolutely have to for your own safety (well, except for mosquitoes!). They really are beautiful snakes. I think snakes are just amazing creatures.

Here's another shot we got on one of our morning walks. This is the pond across the street from us. Beautiful picture isn't it?? I love the mist on the pond.

7 comments:

Zel, The Grimm Witch said...

Your landscape pic looks like something made by an artist in photoshop it's just that stunning! And you are a brave one to help that snake. But we should all help and never mindfully harm other creatures...as a teacher I agree with you about this Vick man (I use the term loosely there). My students idolize sports stars, and he doesn't merrit the care. Hopefully he will be able to earn forgiveness through his actions rather than simple apologies, but then again, everyone says I'm far too idealistic.

Silke Powers said...

Oh, that snake was gorgeous! I saw a copperhead here once on a walk and I was just so struck by its beauty! Good for you for taking him (without getting bit) to safety! :) Silke

Farmer Jen said...

Great pond photo! Lucky snake.

theyarnwhisperer said...

And so how did the two of you manage to wrangle the snake? Did Wayne just have a sensible conversation with him about getting in and staying in the bucket?b

Jeannine said...

Thank you so much for not squishing, smashing or otherwise killing! I love the snakies - like you said, not THEIR fault. Besides, with no snakies, do you have any idea what would happen to the mouse/rat population? (VERY bad. I think it was part of India where they killed off the snakes for safety. The famine and disease from uncontrolled rodents was MUCH higher death toll than the occasional snakebite.)

Turtle said...

i support your boycott....still! smile

When hubby and i started dating he owned a 6 ft boa named bob. He would bring bob to visit my first graders who loved him!! Bob used to also cuddle around my pre preggers belly like a belt with his tail down one robe sleeve, his head down the other sleeve. I cried and cried when we moved to hawaii and had to find bob a new home. We actually went looking for him when we visited 7 years later but could not locate him.

Jane said...

I love seeing the snakes on your blog. You and Wayne are the kindest people I know.