Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life March Challenge
On Sunday, my husband rescued me from one of my greatest fears, a snake in the house. Little did I know while I was at choir practice, a ribbon snake was dancing in my laundry room. After church Jeff told me how he came upon the small snake while putting the sheets in the wash. He threw the pile of sheets onto the snake and took it all outside, shaking the snake out into its natural world.
I said a prayer of thanks that I was not at home. Snakes freak me out. They always have. I can’t even look at a picture of a snake without cringing.
Fast forward a few days and I was outside walking my dog Charlie. I sent my husband this text.
Yes, I had stepped right next to a snake in the grass, jumped, screamed, and ran. I did also lose bladder control. Yikes!
When I calmed down, I googled common Louisiana yard snakes and found the speckled king snake. These are good snakes, if there is such a thing. They are nonvenomous and eat other snakes, including venomous ones. Good thing I left him in my dust.
Later I received a response from Jeff. He usually keeps reports of snake sightings to himself, protecting me.
Nevertheless, I am putting off any yard work. I think I’ll leave the snake handling to my brave husband.
Reflections on the Teche 
This slice had me smiling from the title to the end. Love that your husband has named your yard snake…Freckles.. adorable!
Love it! How your husband protects you but then how your attitude is gradually , gradually shifting. A good snake… Named Freckles!
I’m with you! Snakes freak me out! I would have peed my pants too if I saw a King Snake. Glad your husband protects you!
Freckles! I love that how your husband’s care for you permeates this piece. He moves the snake, he hides the fact of the snake, he makes you laugh about the snake. Freckles. It does make him less fierce.
Freckles! I love this! I also love snakes, but would definitely be surprised by one in an unexpected spot. You unfolded the story in a way that had me reading really fast to get to the next part. Freckles, lol. Good luck with him! (or her)
I have no interest in snakes in my home (or anywhere on our property)! A few years ago my husband found one in our backyard. Our neighbor’s son loves snakes so I got him to deal with it. 😊
Oh Margaret,
I am glad the snake was a king snake and you came to no harm. So did you name this snake? Are you going to ?
I hear you. We have a small snake (or there are more) who like to get into our garage in summer. I dislike them. Last year, it was small enough to broom out of my garage. My husband and son are not bothered by it at all. Yikes!
Best wishes.
Purviben
@TrivediZiemba
http://trivediziemba.edublogs.org
Oh my, I might of peed my pants a little. It’s the slithering unexpectantly.
I think it was about year ago when you wrote about a snake you saw outside…if I remember correctly. I do not like them, and yes, I probably would have done the same thing – pee and all! 🙂
Oh yes, yard work would be off my list of responsibilities. As would laundry! You were very brave to search for and post that picture – I scrolled past it as fast as I could!!
Name or no name that was a scary scary post! I could feel the scare between your words!
Freckles is beautiful! I enjoyed the way you incorporated the text messages into your piece. I was right there with you! I like snakes–but I prefer to be prepared for the sighting. Like… someone else sees it and tells me there’s a snake and calls me over to look and I can stand a certain distance away!
You did a great job writing this poem…but Freckles makes my skin crawl! I am with you on snakes!
Fun to read. I like the way you wrote and included actual texts. Name or not…it’s still a snake. I like snakes because they eat MICE, so I’m glad you didn’t kill it. Can you tell what makes me cringe? 🙂