I got out the duster thing on a long pole that we have around here and went after baby spiders. Turns out (I am learning a lot) that all of the spiders are encased in the finest webbing which is a beautiful way for the deceased mother to continue to take care of her young. That webbing with the babies wrapped itself around the bristles of the duster and I managed to unwind it outside by the huge oak out front. It was a tiny bit creepy, I have to admit. It was the finest, silkiest, stickiest web and would have prevented many critters from eating the babies. I have no idea what will happen to all of them now, but at least they aren't on my porch.
I watered plants and noted that my relatively ancient (older than Jessie) split-leaf philodendron which had not one leaf left on it a week ago, is coming forth with many tender leaves, unfurling and stretching out their fingers. I do love a split-leaf philodendron. I've given away countless pups from this one. It's a hardy specimen.
Then I went out and started weeding potatoes and then I mulched them with chopped up leaves that Mr. Moon had raked into piles in the back yard. I used muscle groups that I'm sure I haven't used in a good long while and I'll be sore tomorrow. La-di-dah.
Is that pretty or what? Peas on the left, potatoes right and center. Nothing gives me quite a sense of accomplishment like a neat and tidy garden row.
I was thinking about cleaning out the hen house but then I went in there and saw who was back.
Look how long that sucker is!
He's just hungry. Can't fault him (or her) for that. I did not deal with the snake in any way, just let it crawl up and hide behind a board. Mr. Moon will be home tomorrow and he can grab it behind the head as he suggested I do last night and then do whatever he wants to with it. We won't be killing it because it's just an oak snake and for all I know, it's eating mice that come in to the hen house to eat corn but it will also eat eggs. When I talked to my neighbor this morning, he said that another neighbor had reported that she'd seen a rattler in her burn pile. Yep. It's time for the snakes to come on out and so they are. We have to be careful and watch where we step, where we put our hands. It worries me when the boys are out in the yard but they have sharp eyes and we talk about snakes a lot. I grew up with them everywhere, rattlers, coral snakes, moccasins. They don't really search us out to bite and are actually very shy unless threatened.
Which does not make me feel any friendlier towards them but it is the truth.
The sky is growing dark to the west. I would not mind if it rained again tonight.
I went and read the small print on that contest and now I do not care if I win or not. As far as I can tell, all one would be doing in the undisclosed location is to record the words, "Ladies and Gentleman, the Rolling Stones!" which may or may not be used for whatever purpose the sweepstakes owners deem appropriate. And get a videotape of the Rolling Stones and that would be cool but it's not like Keith and I would be tossing back vodka together and he'd be playing me tunes on his acoustic. So fuck that.
Dreams die hard, baby. Dreams die hard.
As I've worked today, I've been listening to Neil Gaiman's The Ocean At The End Of The Lane read by Mr. Gaiman himself. If there's anything more splendid than this, I am not sure what it is. It is not a long book so I am cherishing every moment of it.
I just went out and picked my salad greens for my supper.
I figure I've got at most another two weeks of these. Well, gives me reason to look forward to next fall.
As soon as I got in the house, the rain began to fall. I stood on the porch, my hands set backwards on my broad, old-woman hips, digging my fingers into the muscles I've used today, looking up at the sky through the filter of new Bradford pear leaves, still-stark pecan branches.
"Have a blessed day," said Papa Jay when I'd made my purchase of bacon.
I have, up to and including not having to talk to the Jehovah's Witnesses who stuck a flyer in my door while I was doing something in another part of the house. I heard Greta bark and maybe that hastened them on their way.
Thanks, Greta. I owe you one.
Love...Ms. Moon
I saw two black snakes behind my fence this morning, they were either mating or fighting, probably the former. I know they are harmless, but they still scare the shit out of me. That snake in your hen house is really big. I would never pick one up either and neither will my husband, you are lucky Mr. Moon will deal with it. Gail
ReplyDeleteNeil G and his wife are having another baby. He's already a father to three, godfather to Tori Amos's daughter, and fatehr to whole internet, so I guess it makes sense to have one more. I want to read TOATEOTL but I'm a little wary. I thin it'll make me too sad...
ReplyDeleteAlways read the fine print :(
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I could ever sleep in a place with poisonous snakes. Ever. I think you'd have to grow up there and have the carefulness built right into you, to survive. Same with poisonous anything. I guess we get tons of snow in exchange for no poisonous things?
I so wish that it would rain here like in Lloyd for the next month. Just today, I read that the reason why California is running out of water in a year is because of "the gays and Hollywood." I believe it was a Florida preacher who determined this. Clearly, he doesn't live in Lloyd, though.
ReplyDeleteGood job, you and that duster thing.
ReplyDeleteCome home Mr. Moon and grab the snake--Yeah I get that it's a good snake. Still.
I love that you still go get the eggs. I bet your heart beats fast when you do.
ReplyDeleteI'm off to check out that Neil Gaiman book.
have seen no snakes here so far but I am keeping my eyes open after being bit a few years ago. still have planted nothing, have not one single raised bed made. well, lucky for me there is a new farm store here that sells organic produce. not as good as picking it myself but it will do for now. I've read that book. I really liked it.
ReplyDeleteA great day.
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful new heading and one BIG snake. I hope Mr Moon got it and that the chickens are ok.
ReplyDeleteGail- Yep. Probably mating. Although with snakes, I really don't know the signs. Mr. Moon doesn't LIKE to pick up snakes but he will if necessary. I appreciate that in him so much.
ReplyDeleteJo- I saw that his wife is pregnant. Awesome! I'll let you know how sad it is. Okay?
jenny_o- There is always a trade-off in this life. Except for maybe in Hawaii where I am afraid to go because I would never leave.
Elizabeth- Oh hell, he could live in Lloyd. Where of course we have neither Hollywood or gays which is why it rains so much.
Denise- Me too. Good snake still rather bad.
Mwa- I'm pretty blase about it, truthfully. But I do keep an eye out.
Ellen Abbott- You know me- I'd rather garden than go to town to buy produce. Ha! No bra required for the gardening.
Jill- Yep. Certainly was.
Joanne- Thank you for noticing my new heading! That snake is not fat but he is long. The better to slither and hide.
if we were closer i'd get that rascal snake for you.
ReplyDeletexxalainaxx
That is a beautiful snake! I'm glad you're not going to kill him, but I can see why he'd be intimidating. I bet he WOULD eat eggs.
ReplyDeleteYay for Papa Jay's!
It is snake mating time. In April, was when the copperhead biting occurred. Not a good time. But the good snakes really do help things. And even the venomous ones are just being snakes.
ReplyDelete