My father always referred to sneaky people as “snakes in the grass.” I have to smile when I think of the level of disdain with which he would render this pronouncement. Snakes have been both the object of fear and of worship. Some snakes are more venomous than others, just like the people to whom my father alluded. Snakes, the real ones, are pretty harmless, unless disturbed. They would prefer to slither off and mind their own business than to confront or be confronted by the human species. They hold a certain fascination for me. Even though, I know they are “around” our yard, I do not think of them until I happen upon one, as I did yesterday.

We had just returned home from doing some errands, and Jim mentioned that the paper sign, to advertise a neighbor’s yard sale (last weekend), was still clinging to a telephone pole near the sidewalk in front of our home. I went to retrieve the sign.

In front of the plants that are located all along the front of the house, I stopped dead in my tracks. I wildly motioned to Jim to go get his camera, but he did not understand my monkey sign language, or what I was so excited about seeing. I had to walk closer, and tell him to hurry and get the camera.

Curled-up Snake sunning itself on top of the “Hens and Chickens” plant (center)

Enclosed by a patch of lavender, Solomon Seal, Gloriosa daisies, lavender-color Hostas, ferns, and a few weeds, I spotted a garden snake taking a sun bath. He appeared not to know that we were there, and he remained in place long enough for Jim to snap a few pictures, of which this one is the best. He wished he’d had his other lens on the camera, so that he could get a better close-up view. Alas, this was a spontaneous decision to photograph the snake.

Unlike St. Patrick who “drove the snakes out of Ireland,” we will not be attempting to eradicate the snakes in our yard, any time soon. They eat “bugs” and are very beneficial. I say, “Live and let live.” As for the “snakes in the grass” that my dear father used to mention, well, I wish them (and you) all a “good day.”

Best Regards,

Patricia Cummings

This entry was posted on Friday, July 20th, 2007 at 1:35 pm and is filed under , . You can follow any responses to this entry through the feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.