A Tail

God bless Bill. He checks on me daily, brings cake when I'm sad, dinner when he sees I'm not bothering to cook and just really enriches my life. He and Vito were like brothers, and I'm grateful for his presence in our lives.

And, he's not afraid of anything.

Not long ago I greeted him at the back door. We barely exchanged hellos before I pulled him inside and pointed to the coat closet. Then, my finger dropped lower, to the spot where the edge of the door almost meets the tiled floor.

Something peeked out from beneath the door.

Bill didn't catch on right away. His brow furrowed, then he asked, "What is it?"

"A tail."

Then, he got it. Chuckling, he shooed me into the kitchen while he removed the tail's owner from the mousetrap.

Mice. A fact of country living, but something that doesn't much thrill me.

Bill? He's not afraid of anything. Thank God!

Farm Life

Yesterday I was held hostage by a rather long, orange-striped snake. I kid you not. I went to take the garbage out, and when I walked back up the driveway to inside a snake was right near the door. Blocking it, in fact.

Not a big snake fan.

I went next door, got a brave man but by the time we got home the snake had gone. Far away, I hope.

Bill asked, "Why didn't you just call me to come over when it was here? I would've gotten it and taken it away."

I pointed to the door, the stoop and us.

"The snake was between me and the phone!"

He laughed so hard. I didn't care. I was just glad the snake was gone.

Hopefully, it's in the next county by now!

How was your day?