Meg Tilley Anderson
American
B. 1949-
"They didn't finish cleaning up because they saw a big snake."
It had rained so much the weeds were getting out of hand. It was still too wet to mow so I was using the DR. Trimmer. I always start next to the house and work my way from side to side just in case there is a snake. I don't want to herd one up in to the house or corner one in an island of grass and run over it.
So, I had my animal brain looking for repetitive patterns on a sinuous shape. Especially diamonds, dumbbells and stripes. In an instant I spotted a two footer coiled in the grass I'd just trimmed.
I jumped back from no reptile, but from potential projectiles; a coil of roofing gun nails.
The locals say that rattle snakes travel in pairs. They'd better add these to their list because there's another nail snake over there on the wall by the greenhouse.
