Walking Sticks and Blacksnakes

So, my Frien's, I have had my check up with the implant of the pacemaker declared successful. They told me to go away and made an appointment for 3 months ....at least they expect me to live that long anyhow. I do have to refrain from lifting over 5 pounds or lifting my left arm over my head for the next 5 weeks. But, life has returned to normal ....well ....ok ....as normal as it gets here in Whoopin' Holler.

My Frien’s, I may have sent these photos a long time back; but they illustrate the message of this epistle too well not to use them now.

I protect the blacksnakes, here on the ranch, with a passion …..mainly because they keep the rattlers and copperheads away. Now and then, they do rear up to bite me on the bu… …..uuhhh, cause me to question the wisdom of my actions.

A few years ago, I was sitting on the porch carving. I looked at a stack of walking sticks there beside my carving chair and thought, “I don’t remember carving that one. Damn, I’m good!” When, imitating Moses’ staff, this one started to move. Then, imitating old Pharaoh, I got the hell away from it.

Another encounter occurred a couple of days ago when my Daughter-In-Law, Sunnie, had gone out on the porch to enjoy her coffee and the morning. A low hanging black walnut limb looked “different” and she walked over to investigate. The 6 foot blacksnake, who was also enjoying the morning, reared his head in greeting.

My family often refers to coffee as a burnt offering …..due to an off-hand comment I made many years ago. One of my Son’s said that it was nice of me to take Mom a cup of coffee each morning. I replied, “Boy, you don’t think I am going to face the beast without a burnt offering do you?” ….the comment is enjoyed now …… some30 years later!

Anyway, Sunnie continued the religious theme for coffee and blessed the porch, limb, blacksnake and herself with a burnt offering. The blacksnake either thought water more appropriate for baptism or was wiggling in ecstasy. Sunnie grabbed her cell phone and sent a text message to David, who had just gone to work. “There’s a blacksnake crawling down the walnut limb toward the porch. What should I do?”

He quickly returned her text, “If it offers you an apple ….DON’T TAKE IT!!!”

The moral of the message: It is best when there will be a seven hour lapse between the petitioner requesting assistance, the sage’s answer and the two meeting face-to-face.