Watch where you step!

So I’m home from my travels in Chicago.  I got in late on Sunday and went to bed.  Got up the next morning feeling groggy and went to work.  When I got home, I had a few drinks and made dinner.  Naturally being so weary, I fell asleep in front of the TV.  About a half hour later, I woke up and set off to the bedroom.  Most of the lights were off and the house was rather dark.  While making the routine front door lock check,  my bare foot came within direct contact with something kinda squiggly.

It was a snake.

Good thing I have high arches.  I stepped right on top of it.  Surprisingly, after noting that said snake had a relatively oval head and a thin tapered tail (READ: was not a rattler) I realized that I was in no real danger.  I do believe it was a glossy snake (Arizona elegans).  *I grabbed a pot and used it to escort Mr. Snake out to the front patio…

Come on out.

Yeah, that’s a shy snake.

Buh-bye!

Ssssssss…

Yes, the snake is totally annoyed.

The snake slithered around for me and my camera for a while like a photo shoot.  We finally looked into each other’s eyes and came to an agreement; I got to go back inside and Mr. Snake gets to stay outside.   I said goodbye, he flipped his tongue and faded into the courtyard. 

I’m off to bed now.  I know that half of my soon-to-be-visiting friends are going to call and cancel their trips after reading this. 

Really, it’s just a snake.

*I grew up in the hills of Conejo Valley, California and spent my childhood catching lizards and snakes for fun.  They don’t bother me unless they rattle.