Yup, that's what Tyler heard me uttering while working on the house today. Why was I saying it? Well, I'd found a snake of course.

There is a cement block chimney on the West side of the house. The chimney was put in after the house. How do we know? The original lap siding still runs behind the chimney. It was the combination of the cool cement blocks and the crevices of the lap siding that made an inviting home for a couple of Garter snakes. In our previous work around the chimney, Tyler had found the first Garter snake. Since the first one was startled and lept out at Tyler, things didn't end too well.

So, while I was working away on chipping away at the old lap siding, I was constantly on the guard for any leaping snakes. After a few boards, I discovered a very handy way of breaking the lap siding apart that allowed me to pull the pieces of lap siding from behind the chimney. As I was pulling a piece of lap out, I saw the snake curled up on it. I knew that if I stopped pulling the siding, the snake would simply slither back behind the chimney. So, I kept pulling the siding out hoping the snake would fall to the ground and slither away. That is why I kept saying, "Snake. Snake. I found a snake. I found a snake." I was trying to keep myself from freaking out.

Once the snake fell to the ground, it found the quickest route back behind the chimney. Little Jerk.

With Tyler standing watch, I started pulling the lap from behind the chimney again. After a few more pieces, the snake fell to the ground again. This time, I tried a new technique... I tried picking him up.

I used a long piece of lap siding to pick him up. He looked at me. Stuck his little tongue out and slithered right off the end. Little Jerk.

Improving the technique, I picked up another piece of lap siding and created Snake Chopsticks. I pinched the little guy between the ends of the two sticks. Once he was finally secured, I started towards the woods explaining to him that this was his eviction notice and that the next time we meet I wouldn't be as forgiving. I'm sure he took in every word.

So, hopefully out in the woods there is a scared little Garter snake passing along the tale of the crazy lady in the house and telling all his friends to stay clear.