A Tiny Strand of Wonder

Beloved: 
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          Ringneck mama snakes lay clutches of two to twelve eggs in summertime, meaning there are probably a few siblings still hidden in one of the cubbies where we found a hatchling climbing into my housekeeper’s shoe yesterday.  I played with it for a while and showed it to my dog, Scout, who was also mesmerized.  Then I set it free in the wettest part of my garden, where earthworms and tiny toads will be easy food to find.  We’ll all be shaking out our shoes for the next few days in hopes of seeing the others.  They mostly move at night, so we will probably miss them when they leave to find better eats than the bugs and spiders living in the garage.

            Once upon a time I’d not have considered picking up a snake, and am still not likely to handle a very big one.  But the design and the mechanics of their bodies is truly fascinating.  They can move sideways up a bucket wall then stop and stay still for long minutes at a go.  It must take enormous energy to stay up there, because the baby tumbled down and rested awhile before starting up again, getting a little higher with each successive climb.

             When I set it down in the dirt, it flipped over on its back like playing dead, then eventually rolled back over and slid down below the cucumber vines.  I like thinking about them there, one more living thing growing in my garden.  Even more, I like thinking that somewhere in creation’s course, the Great Divine came up with this tiny strand of wonder, curling into sleep right in the palm of my hand, like a gift for both of us.
     
For more info on ring-neck snakes:  
https://srelherp.uga.edu/snakes/diapun.htm
http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Snakes/Hatching-Ringneck-Snakes/ 

ALSO - Please remember the wedding shower for Heidi & Chris at Wednesday Night Supper tomorrow, August 28, 6:00 PM.  Since they already have everything a house requires, we are giving them what every family needs – CASH.  Bring a few greenbacks to pin to the money tree and enjoy a wonderful summer meal and some cake!