Keeping My Eyes Peeled

I knew the gist of conversation before it ever took place when I saw our next door neighbor standing at the edge of his yard. He was waiting patiently for Wayne to reach him as he and the mower he was on made their way up the side of our yard. The mower fell silent and they fell into their conversation. Even though I was inside, I knew what they were discussing.

There was lots of head shaking then both looked over into Wynn's yard as he pointed in that direction. And it wasn't long before he extended both arms with more head shaking. If there had been any doubt before about the topic, it was gone now.

They didn't talk long and Wayne had reached the driveway when I walked out through the garage. As he shut off the mower, I had only one question: How big and what kind?

I knew Wynn had come out to tell him he'd killed a snake in his yard Sunday morning. No, I don't have ESP but I do have ears and I heard the gunshot...I just didn't know where it was. It sounded to close to be on the golf course where they're known to shoot snakes on the creek just a hole or two away. So when I saw Wynn standing out waiting to talk to Wayne, I knew it was right next door.

The answer to my question? Five feet and a moccasin. And bigger around than my arm. It was just slithering across his yard when he saw it.

You can bet your bottom dollar I'll be keeping my eyes peeled every time I'm outside now.

Comments

[Jude.x]

!!!!!!! :o I just googled - without clicking onto any site 'cos you just don't want to even see photo's do you?!! The first site that came up is called "Guide to venomous snakes of Florida".... That's plural snakes!!!! And Florida has so many it needs it's own website!!!! That's just ruled out Florida for a holiday..... Now, so long as I can resist the urge to google the same for California, I should be alright! :-D
I guess if I lived somewhere that had more than a single venomous snake that prefers heath-land anyway, it could be different. Take care.......
Jude.x

[Linda]

Yikes! That was one big snake. In Kansas we kill snakes with a hoe but they are not 5 ft.

[Mary-Lou]

Since the beginning of time, we women have had issue with snakes (lol) Thankfully I am not in an area with a lot different kinds of snakes, mostly garter or corn/rat snakes. Brenda I hope you wear ankle high boots and leather gloves in your gardening adventures.

[Linda P]

It gives a whole new meaning to "Neighborhood Watch!"

[Suzeyq]

I'm with all of you... snakes send a shiver through me! And they don't even have to be poisonous! Thankfully not too many in our area. Oh I know they are around... just not in MY yard! Well, at least not many!