Diametral Pitch

OK – I think it’s time to start blogging again. For a while, I’ve felt no desire and have felt like I’ve had very little to say.

Not that life hasn’t been very busy and eventful. Just not easily bloggable. Is that even a word? Blog-worthy? Blogerific? Hmm.

So, to start it with a bang – get it bang? Well, no – I guess not. Because I haven’t told the story yet. The one with the “bang” in it. Which makes me saying that I’m starting with a “bang” kind of funny.

Anyways… last weekend Sarah’s Mom and her husband Randy came up, and brought presents. The first was a truck load of almond fire wood to replenish my wood pile. I have lots of down oak around but haven’t had time to cut and split it, so that was a very welcome gift.

He also brought up a shot gun for me, which we have talked about doing for a while. Sarah’s grand father “Fats” left it for me.

A good thing too, because yesterday when I was closing in the chickens – right at dark – I heard a sound like running water coming from behind the garage. Around here that means either a leaking hose or a rattlesnake. I went toward the sound – behind the garage – and found one of the cats about 10 feet away from one, facing off with it. Yikes!!!!

Chased the cat away, ran into the garage for the gun and a shot, ran back out – heart pumping – loaded the gun and took aim, then pulled the trigger.

Nothing.

Crud – you have to cock these things don’t you? OK – cocked, aimed, click – BLAM!!!!!!!!!!! – rattle, rattle, r-a-t-t-l-e… heart still pumping like mad. I got it.

Oh wow! 15 feet behind where I was aiming – there’s our propane tank. Didn’t even see it. I’m an idiot, but the tank looks fine.

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I know. If I was a better person I would have captured the snake and relocated it somewhere safe. My brother gave me a “snake relocating tool” for cases like this. Honestly though, it freaked me out just getting close enough to shoot the snake, much less trying to grab it.