snakes......

ok, so i will say this once....and every time i blog about my garden in the future be aware that this statement remains true though not repeated......i really dislike snakes.......dislike may be the wrong sentiment.......i do not hate snake......the fact that we have them speaks volumes as to the underlying health of our little microcosm.........i am not essentially afraid of snakes.......by saying that i mean that i have no fear that they will 1)attack ruthlessly 2)inject lethal venom if they get close enough 3)come toward me when seen, rather than slither away.........BUT.......the fear of snakes is what drives my gardening tactics....i start with the beds least likely to harbor snakes....and finish with the beds most likely to have at least 1 snake sunning in some small clearing between plants and weeds.........yesterday i reached such a bed......and basically was on red level alert.......making as much noise and possible to give the snake(s) the heads up as to my intentions.....and give them plenty of time to clear out.......the sun is still shining...i could go out and weed at bit...in the snake-ridden zone.......or maybe not.........