This is snake season, when the slithery reptiles shake off their winter chills and make their presence known in yards and beneath porches and around sheds. Unless it’s a copperhead, there is nothing to be concerned about. Snakes are good to have around the house because they wouldn’t be there unless they had a reason – like eating mice and rats.
I once took a nap with a snake, tough I had not planned such an adventure.
Years ago – back in my bow hunting days – I was in the woods at daybreak on Appleberry Mountain, hoping a deer would maybe jump in front of one of my arrows. As usual, none did, but by 10 AM, I thought maybe a little nap would change my luck. A warm October sun had made its way into the woods, and I found a nice sunny place on the edge of a step bank to take a little cat nap. I drifted off to sleep and dreamed of a big buck standing sideways some 20 yards away and then awakened suddenly. Not immediately sure of my surroundings, I looked to my right and saw a large curled up, not three feet away. He was a black snake, a nice sized fella at that. Her had also felt the need for as nap and chose the same sunny spot that I picked out. I am not particularly afraid of snakes, but I have to admit I had never been that close to one and felt a bit uncomfortable. I eased my way onto my side and did about three quick rollovers to move as fast and as far away from Br’er Snake as possible. Apparently, I startled the snake with my movements and he quickly slithered away, thinking “I need to be more careful about where I take my naps.”.
Looking back, it was a memorable event in my life. Not many people can say that they took a nap with a snake.
