Adventures on Allen Court

When I came inside at 7pm last night I had to dwell for a moment on the fact that there is seldom boring day in our little culdesack. Neighbour Sz had set up a slip and slide and children were bursting forth from flung open doors in swim suits at 5ish when there was a knock on my door from an excited 9 year old:

"My Dad needs you" she said in her most urgent voice that sent me shoeless out the door. Only to find out that there was a snake in her garage and shoes would have been prudent. Mr G stood with a long wooden pole that had a metal hook on the end and asked if I happened to have a gadget appropriate for snake catching. I knew neighbour Sz had the said gadget but instead... approached her husband Mr R. "There is a snake in Mr G's garage," I said, and watched the excitement build. "He is trying to remove it - do you have anything .... " At this point Mr R could not contain his enthusiasm for the task and started walking, empty handed and seemingly unprepared for the task towards the guilty garage. I followed to watch things unfold. Mr R looked at the snake that was tucked behind the large containers of dog food. After declaring it was a Bull Snake, he lent in and picked it up. It was a lengthy snake, and as I watched Mr R dodge it's attempts to bite, I wondered aloud what the next move was. He casually carried the snake and let it loose in the treed area just 30 feet from where the children were playing. Were being the operative word because at this stage Mr R looked like the Pied Piper. Only holding a snake, and not playing a tune.

Not long thereafter I was telling Mr R and Mrs Sz about Liam's fire ant encounter (I will give you the details in another post). Mila took us around the side of their house where the attack happened. As we oohhhed and Aahhhed over the sand piles and wondered what a large hole/ burrow might be housing in the same area.... little R started to shout and dust fire ants from his foot. As an accomplished fire ant bite/sting nurse, I could treat the assualt efficiently and sent the parents home with instructions to prevent infection and aid healing for the next few days. Knowing full well I will see them all tomorrow... for more adventures on Allen Ct.