Black Snake the Sequel:

Act II: Well, the snake decided to leave the egg and head up into the attic of the chicken house. I knew better, but wishfully hoped that would be the last of him and he'd just sit there and eat mice and we'd all be happy. An hour or so later, I came out to get the egg he'd left and as I reached for it, I jumped back when I saw him, at my feet, curled up in what he must have thought was a snakey lazy river - one of the chicken waterers. Several hours went by and he hadn't moved so after dinner I told Franklin that although the animals were NOT his responsibility, I'd be ever so grateful if he could do something or get someone to do something with that snake. Low and behold, he went out there with a postal sack, of all things, and threw it over the waterer then tried to flip the whole thing, snake and all, into the bag. It didn't work out exactly as he'd planned and the snake was on the loose and headed under the hen house. I thought all was lost when my brave husband grabbed Hoodini-Snake by the tail and swung him around and around trying to keep the snake's head away. I regret I don't have photos of this part. Guess he got him so dizzy that when he stopped spinning, the snake was stunned just enough to give Franklin time to pick up the bag and throw him in. As I write, he's headed up the mountain to let the reptile go Hansel and Grettle-like. I told him before he left that he'd gone up a whole bunch of notches in my book.

 

 

 

 

A Snake in the Chicken House

I reached in to collect the usual three eggs this afternoon but someone had beat me to it. Here's a black snake trying to get his head around his second egg. I deftly took the third egg out of the other nest thinking he was sufficiently preoccupied. Over a period of 20 minutes, I took a series of photos as he tried to stretch his mouth around his dinner. Eventually, he got tired of the size of the egg or of my camera's up close beeps and flashes (or both) and he backed off the egg to look me square in the eyes and hiss for the last photo. I'm headed back out there to see if he's moved on or if he's giving it another go-round. He probably felt fairly vulnerable with me in his face and his face on that egg. I wish Walker was here to take him away. Someone has to or he'll come back as a regular at the Henhouse Diner.

 

 

 

The House Comes Along

  These first two are of the new kitchen addition. This view is from the road side and the large opening will be the front door to the house. The window next to it has a beautiful westward view.
  We should be able to get to the interior sheetrocking Monday, June 30th. This is a veiw from the upper pasture looking down on the house. I guess we can call it a 'house' now instead of 'the barn'. That big opening is for a great picture window over the sink.
  This view is from the inside looking towards the new kitchen addition. What used to be the front door and front wall of the barn was removed and is an opening into the new kitchen.
  Here's Franklin working on the shower/tub plumbing. He did all the electrical and plumbing himself !! (Shhh) If it weren't for his talents, we could never afford this remodeling job. He keeps the big picture in his head and is truly a Jack-of-all-Trades. It is a huge regret of ours that the boys are not here helping because the things they'd learn are invaluable. Walker can't leave Tuckaseegee much and Jake is whooping it up in the Bahamas.
PS: I saw the mama bird today so all is well with the eggs and we finally got rain. Not a great deal but enough to mention.