Faith: We're so glad you're safe, mommy. We watched you wrangle that rattlesnake the other day.
Me: Yes, I think I did a pretty good job; after I made a pretty stupid mistake.
Faith: Yes, first you pulled those big boxes out of the Jeep and left them overnight.
Me: I know, I meant to take them to the dump recycle, but then I had to go and pick up our food and stuff from Walmart. I really meant to put the boxes back in the Jeep after I was done.
Faith and Samson: But then you got so very tired, like you always do, and it didn't get done.
Me: Right, and leaving them overnight was my first mistake.
Faith: What was your second?
Me: Picking the box up without thinking.
Faith: And out fell the snake?
Me: Yes, and it was a lively one too. It got really scared, poor thing. It was rattling like crazy, almost looked like it was jumping up and down. Then it went under the Jeep, so I had to quickly jump in and move the Jeep away. I didn't want the snake to slither into the engine.
Faith: They never stay long in the engine though.
Me: No they don't like engines very much. But I wanted to keep an eye on the snake to protect you guys.
Faith: I'm vaccinated! I got my shot!
Me: Yes, but you'd be surprised how much it could still hurt you. And then Samson can't be vaccinated, so I always try to keep you both safe.
Faith and Samson: We know you do, mommy.
Me: When I was younger, around 70 or so, I would pick up the snakes with the flat shovel and carry them way out on the land and leave them there, never to be seen again.
Faith: But now that you're 80, almost 81, you can barely lift that big shovel, can you?
Me: Yes, I can, but I'm not sure how far I can walk with it, carrying a snake. Then snakes tend to fall off, so you have to pick them back up again, and that could get difficult.
Faith: So you used the waterhose.
Me: Yes, water always works well on snakes. Spray some on them first, so they know what it is, then just spray behind them and they will move.
So I moved it down to the shade of the cottonwood tree and left it there. I don't think we'll see that snake again.
Faith: Thank you, mommy.
Samson: Yeah, thanks mommy. You always take good care of us.
Me: I love you, guys!
