It seems like a lot of people who live here in Fish Springs are afraid of snakes, while others pet them. One time I saw a man drive right up in his car, stop and pick up a baby snake and hold it in his hand. The little rattlesnake bit the man's hand. He was rushed to the medical center for treatment.
One time a little girl asked me to hold her pet snake "just for a minute." It was almost pleasant as the 4-foot reptile wrapped around my arm. Then his fast-moving tail moved up my arm and around my neck. He liked that better and probably liked a juicy rabbit also. He put the squeeze on me, tight enough to make my tongue stick out and say "Ah!" I thought for a moment that he might actually choke me.
I quickly grabbed his coiled bottom half and pulled it off my neck. I put him back into his box and told the girl thanks for letting me hold her pet. That night I dreamed of the same experience. I felt the snake's cold body began encircling my neck. Very scary.
I never thought that non-poisonous snakes bothered me at all, but they actually do. I also remember the time many years ago that my principal at Gardnerville Elementary School, Charlie Condron, said he needed me to assist the reptile show, including the giant boa constrictor, Sam, our 6-foot boa. My job was to show the students how nice reptiles are, and that our giant boa constrictor is especially nice.
The kindergarten kids got louder and were all trying to pet Sam at once. Sam got excited and coiled around my left thigh. He was very, very, strong and I could feel his muscles quivering as he tightened his grip around my leg. I thought he might be hungry but his mouth never came unhinged so I decided he wasn't going attempt to swallow me. Fat chance he'd have of doing that. But he might have been able to get one drumstick down his not-so-slimy throat.
I told the children to back away, be quiet and turn off the lights. Then Sam released his grip and feeling came back into my toes. That was my last experience as the snake lady and we'll keep the rodents away out of our yards. But I think I'll just leave them alone from now. Let them slither all they want - as long as it's out in the sagebrush.
Spaghetti dinner and hoedown
It's time for the Fish Springs Volunteer Fire Department's annual spaghetti dinner and hoedown dance. And, back by popular demand, there will be the boot stompin' Long Shot band for your dancing pleasure.
Come on down to the firehouse, 5:30 p.m. until midnight Sept. 12, and eat, drink and be merry as you visit with your neighbor and support your all-volunteer fire department at the same time. We hope you all plan to join us for dinner and dancing at the Fish Springs fire station at Myers Drive and Fish Springs Road. It will be all you can eat and a no-host bar.
Ladies, do you like to cook? We'd love it if you could bring along some cookies or cup cakes or pies and we'd really appreciate it. Please come to the firehouse on Sept. 12 for the Fish Springs VFD's only fundraiser of the year. They depend on us and we depend on them.
Linda Monohan may be reached at 782-5802.
