I want to move to the City!

So, we don't live waaaaaay out in the country on an 8,000 acre ranch or anything, but having an acre between each neighbour, and only having 8 houses in our "subdivision" feels like it to me. I am an Air Force Brat who grew up in base housing, and having space scares me to death! And, honestly............Nature freaks me out. I don't like bugs and snakes and things, being up close and personal. *Shiver*

But here's the deal. I married a man who loves space, and would be the only house out here if it were possible. And the house was already here, so what can I do, I love the man. For 10 years now, we have lived here, and in that 10 years, we've spotted many a bug, and animal. One night, I took pictures of an opossum roaming around our back porch and patio(from the safety of the living room and porch, of course!). I killed the biggest Black Widow I have ever seen in my life, right outside our front door two weeks ago. We've watched wild turkey's fly from our backyard, seen deer scamper across the fields, and hubby even spotted a coyote in the road one morning on his way to work. Raccoons and their babies walk along the road at night, and a baby skunk and I scared the crap out of each other once when I opened the door to let out the dog! Thank goodness my reflexes kicked in and I slammed the door before it realized what was going on! And the bunnies......oh the bunnies! Sadie the Greyhound is just dying to get her paws on one! And they taunt her mercilessly, the little devils. And yes, it all sounds wonderful, and it has been......until the night before last.

The kids and I were out "Bunny Hunting" with Sadie. That's what we call her evening "business" outings now, thanks to the taunting. The three fields around the yard have sprouted a huge crop of blackberries. And either it just started, or I've been totally blind for 10 years now! Anyhooo.....we found some that were hanging over into the yard (heck no, I'm not walking into the field to pick them! Helllooo, Nature Phobic!), so we discussed the stages of ripening, and picked some good looking ones. We were close to the road, and I just happened to look up. I spotted something out of the corner of my eye on the ground, and my heart revved. I told the kids to take Sadie in the house, and to tell the hubby to come outside. I backed away, but realized it wasn't quite what I thought it was. Hubby came out, and was amazed. I, on the other hand, am scared to death to walk around the yard now. Would you like to see what I found???

That is not a stick. That is a 5ft - something long, fully intact snake skin!!!!! Hubby is "pretty sure" it's a black snake. I don't really care, I think it's gross and horrible and scary. That thing is almost as tall as me, and I don't like it not one little bit. I am packing as we speak. City, here I come!!!