Our KissMe! After his weenie dog bedtime, from the kitchen I heard in the backyard, “clink clink … clink … clink clink clink”. This tag-clinking went on and on, and it might have been going on for quite some time. Once outside, I could see him tossing some thing and shuddered thinking, “Oh no. A toad.” Once we gathered shoes and a flashlight and tracked down that which KissMe reluctantly released, we saw in horror his this-time prey – a coral snake.
The snake still moved, as dead snakes do for a while. With long tongs from the barbeque pit, RonTom placed the snake out of KissMe’s reach for a close-up look. Glory! KissMe mangled that snake. This coral snake was not the usual pretty sight. Just past its head, a whole section of red and yellow and black bands was missing. Showing was the snake’s gnawed-up flesh and broken ribs. Punctures appeared up and down the 17.5 inches.
On the snake’s nose, appeared a tiny droplet of blood. A call to the hospital that cared for rattlesnake-bitten KissMe over Memorial Day weekend brought words “If the coral snake had envenomed the dog, the snake would probably still be attached. Watch him for 18 hours for drooling. No antivenin exists. Treatment is going onto a ventilator 24/7.” Only the snake was bit in this round.
In the dark that night, KissMe brought to light the axiom: If you bite it and you die, it’s poisonous. If it bites you and you die, it’s venomous.
Neighbors have told me of three coral snakes, and two baby rattlesnakes. Wear gloves when you’re out gardening or going through your bins and boxes of Christmas décor.
Yes! It’s time to start thinking about Christmas lights. Val Cass’s practice of starting light installation in October (unseen), in order to turn on his brilliant display Thanksgiving weekend, illuminates the value of eliminating hectic hurry before or during the holidays. His generous gift of time and materials to all of us brings delight.
It seems to me that our efforts to put out Christmas décor for one another with loving care and recognizing some outstanding displays helps maintain our “little slice of paradise”.
Display your décor by the end of the first weekend in December so that your address shows on the list of decorated houses that’s created as Scouts drive through. Mountain Citians will vote on their favorites the second weekend in December. And, then, the third weekend (18th) Tour de Lights takes children on a hayride past the many addresses recognized as “best”.
Don’t be in the dark about positions of Mountain City alterman candidates. Visit www.facebook.com/lovingmountaincity. Vote early through Friday, October 30th at any Hays County early voting location, including the Precinct 2 office (7 a.m. -7 p.m.) On voting day, for the Mountain City election, you must go to our voting spot, the Kyle City Hall.
Who votes for keeping “Montage” filled? Each tidbit counts as a vote. J Ptom5678@gmail.com (subject: tidbit) or 512-268-5678 Thanks! Love, Pauline.
