When I got up this morning I realized I needed Andy's key to get a few things from the church for our enrichment tonight. He was already gone to school, so I thought we would just go find him and maybe do lunch. At about 11am we got our sandals on and started for the car. I was carrying Daniel and Bradley, who ran out the door in front of me, stopped to look at some "pretty flowers". I walked past him towards the car. As I was turning back, while walking, to tell him to hurry so we could go find our Dad, I a snake out of the corner of my eye. It was about 6 inches away from my foot. In that split second I could see it strike, biting me on my bare ankle! I screamed and jumped about three feet up and over! Daniel is clinging to me wondering why he was getting a carnival ride all of the sudden, and Bradley is looking at me like I had totally lost it.
As I started to calm down I realized that the snake hadn't moved at all. I also realize it was now between Bradley and me right next to the sidewalk. (I probably scared the snake to death, but I didn't care.) All I could think was how big it was and how to get Bradley past it to the car. I was sure if Bradley saw it he would want to touch it or chase it or something. By now Bradley is getting really interested in why I am dancing around on the sidewalk telling him to "stay still, I will come to you!" This is an odd request since I am usually saying, "get over here now or I will leave you!" He did stand still while I made my way around the snake to get to him. I knew Andy wouldn't believe how big the snake was...so I got the camera!
Now came the problem of getting the picture without drawing too much attention to the snake, and without getting too close. It was only a garden snake, but it was the biggest garden snake I have ever seen! It was a good 2-2.5 feet long! Unfortunately you can't tell by the picture since there isn't anything to help show size. Andy pointed this out as he looked at the pictures over lunch today. I knew that would be the problem when I took the picture, but I wasn't about to throw my shoe out there or put Daniel down by it just so you could see the size. I guess you will just have to take my word for it.
This is the snake slowly heading across the lawn to the wooden retaining wall.
When we got home from lunch I looked very carefully for the snake. But it was nowhere to be found. I am a little bit nervous about it being so close to our apartment though. Bradley loves to run around and chase lizards along the wooden retaining walls. He and Andy stick their hands into little crevasses all the time looking for lizards. I think that will stop now after this brief siting!
7 comments:
Sorry Karrie, but I was laughing the whole time. I loved the "carnival ride" part! But I agree, that is the largest garden snake I've ever seen too. I don't blame ya for screaming!!
That is one huge garden snake - I probably would have screamed too.
What a laugh... at your expense:) One of the funniest things to think about is what Bradley and Daniel were thinking. "I think Mom has lost it!"
Good thing it was just a snake and not a spider!! Or are you doing better with those now that you have been married to Andy for awhile? :)
Yikes!! I hate snakes too and I would have done the same thing. Emma is the same way with wanting to touch new things too. Glad that little hands didn't get too close.
Eek! I can't believe you got the camera. I would have been running back to the house calling maintenance to come get it!
AHH! I hate seeing snakes that are not in cages!!!
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