Snakes!

Legless reptiles with a scaly tubular body tapering toward the tail with lidless eyes are how they would be described to anyone who was not familiar with this enchanting species that is another misunderstood creature…

I almost decided against this topic for tonight since in my research of trying to find out about myths and phobias the airwaves are abundant with anything one might desire to focus on, TMI, ‘Too Much Information’ for even me to glean to transfer to my readership in a short document such as this. Any of you who want or need more just put in the word, ‘snake’ and see what comes up, even with my specificity of in myth and phobias the amount that is there is quite amazing and more than interesting I am sure if anyone has the time or need to do the investigation.
Most are aware that St. Patrick chased all the snakes from Ireland and that many people are extremely fearful of them and unfortunately believe they are all slimy and poisonous, which they are not! Yes, it is true that many species are poisonous but many are not and none are slimy!

Why our sons even had pet ones, black racer, when they were small and I took one to the nursery school for our younger son’s class to see for show and tell to share with his classmates and they were ecstatic and not afraid at all, again something else that I believe like hate that sadly is taught. Not to say that caution is not an appropriate behavior with snakes in the wild, as I said before many are poisonous and that alone should make all people be careful!
Hubby has saved two from death defying acts of trying to pass over our fish pond, oh the death defying acts?
They, both, at different times, even different years got caught in the netting we put over the pond while we are waiting for our water-lilies to return to protect our fish from predators, mostly herons that try and eat them when they see them and when we or Skipper don’t, see the herons that is to chase them away. Hubby has cut the netting at different times to carefully help the snake to get out; the second time was just yesterday and this last one was not too co-operative and did try to bite him. It was a non-poisonous variety the black rat-snake that is a rodent catcher and quite proficient in that ability when you live on the water anywhere they are a natural asset to balance out that nature driven vermin.
“Judeo-Christian culture has been less kind to snakes. Tales of the Garden of Eden and the serpent's role in "man's fall from grace" have contributed to a negative image of snakes in western culture. In Appalachia, some Christians handle venomous snakes as part of ritual ceremonies, relying on faith to protect them from bites.” From the below site of: UMASS Amherst
http://www.umass.edu/nrec/snake_pit/pages/myth.html

Snakes have a bad rap I think because they have been historically painted viciously, why Cleopatra used an Asp to end her life. Though the people in India believe the Cobra is mystical and magical and considered reincarnations of important people called Nagas.

Ophidiophobia: is the fear of snakes and the below site will tell you more the why, but if you have that fear then you already know, huh?
http://phobias.about.com/od/phobiaslist/a/ophidiophobia.htm

On these more informative times of things that we can use in our daily life or at least incorporate them into interesting conversations…ha!
My intention to help keep you all better informed has been covered this evening, at times I even surprise me! LOL!

And on that educational deliverance on useful info I would like to be the first to wish you all a very happy good night and ask you kindly count those blessings and share those overages and we will too!

And next time please be here or be square, ya hear?


PS in reality think about all of those people who never ever see a snake in real life only have the nightmares about them, now does that sound fair, I ask you?