Isn't It Too Early for Snakes?

April General Conference for our church began today. We go to conference on the first weekends in April and October every year. Conference is where we get the opportunity to hear the words of the general authorities of the church over the satellite for eight hours over the course of two days. We love it!

Today we went to watch it at my parents' new place since my dad had to make a quick trip up to Carrollton and back to get some items from the house. Ryan didn't want to go with him, so we headed over to their place so that Ryan could stay home. It was a nice set-up for us to all sit comfortably and enjoy the messages.

Well, the Saturday morning session today ended up being VERY exciting for us. It had just begun when my dad's two dogs acted like they needed to go outside to take care of their business. The four younger Blau kids volunteered to take them on a little walk down the street since my dad hasn't got a fence put up yet. The dogs were harnessed up, and the posse left the building. All seemed well ... for about 30 seconds. Then the front door slammed open and JoJo came running inside with his arms flailing in the air above his head. He screamed:

SNAAAAAAAAAAAAKE!!!!!!!! SNAKE!

Then Katie came through the door screaming and sobbing, "I touched it! I touched it! Ohhhhhhh! I stepped on it!" She couldn't relax at all. She was sobbing and jumping and collapsing all over the main floor.

Well, all of us knew exactly what to do. We looked at Herman. He was the oldest man in the house, and that meant that he had a sacred duty to take care of it. I think that is a law or something. If not, it should be.

He didn't even flinch. He headed out the front door to see what the commotion was all about. I think we were all expecting to find a baby garter snake or something like that. Within seconds Herman was back in the house, where he grabbed a curtain rod and headed back outside.

I am not ashamed to admit that I screamed like a little girl when I saw what he was trying to pick up.

But I was not alone. All of the Blau family was joining me. Okay, not Hyrum and Spencer, but most of us.

I hate snakes!

This little monster was sunning right next to my van. No wonder Katie was in hysterics and JoJo was dancing a jig in the living room. Notice Herman's face. He wasn't all too pleased to have the job of showing this baby a new location for his sun room.

But suddenly, out of nowhere, a man arrived, like a snake loving angel sent straight from heaven. Seriously, I don't know who this guy was or how he ended up in front of the house, but as Herman was getting ready to take the snake to the woods out back, this guy shows up and volunteers to take over snake duty.

No fear! This guy just grabbed the snake with his two bare hands!

I think he is trying to explain to us that we are total wimps for being
afraid of such a sweet little snake. My favorite is the cigarette dangling
casually from his top lip. I think it was a mandatory part of his
snake charmer uniform. 

Disaster was prevented. The snake was not going to stay near our property long enough to wiggle its way under our sheets or to wind its way over our torsos until it squeezed the life out of us. You know, because that's what all snakes live to do.

Unfortunately Katie may have been permanently ruined by her experience of getting to know a big snake up close and personal. She must have cried for at least 15 minutes, and she couldn't stop talking about what it felt like to have her feet roll over the snake's body.

Not a snake fan.

I had to take Katie out on a walk so that she could get back on the horse. Otherwise she was refusing to ever walk outside in nature ever again. She survived her second walk, so I think she'll be okay.

When everything had calmed down Herman asked why it was that he had to be the guy to take care of the snake when he doesn't really like snakes all that much either. We had all gone into hysterics and just looked at him as if he was the guy to save the day. I explained that there were two reasons I got married.

1. I needed someone around who would be able to take care of snakes that wandered anywhere near me at a moment's notice.
2. I needed someone around who would be able to take care of rodents that wandered anywhere near me just as quickly.

Herman performed wonderfully today, so I think I'll keep him.