My friend the snake?

I have an unnatural fear of snakes. I know you are saying, "ya, me too". I submit that my fear is more severe. Once as a kid my sister and I saw a snake and came screaming into the house. It was seriously five minutes before our parents could get us to calm down and speak. They thought something was really wrong. After college I was walking down a busy street with a friend and jumped into traffic when I saw a snake.

So this year when I saw garter snake in my yard I secretly wished my husband would run it over with the lawnmower. But then I noticed something. No slugs! And who do I have to thank for that but Mr. Snake. So I looked at him (or her) in a new light. Don't get me wrong, I walked through my yard carefully with fear but a new found acceptance of this snake.

Now my snake has moved on. The slugs are returning and causing me grief. So if another snake were to appear in my yard, I think I could live with that. But I still didn't go to see the Reptile Man at my sons daycare today.

For more info:
Snakes as Pest Control
Reptile Man

First fruits (okay veggies)

Yesterday was the first day I got to harvest from my garden - a huge bowl of loose-leaf lettuce. There is nothing quite like eating a home-grown salad. I added half a red pepper (that was store-bought), parmesan cheese, and a homemade vinaigrette. Yum!

A Do-over

I tried to start this blog a year ago and we were unexpectedly blessed with our first son. So one more try. This blog will share favorite plants and places from the Pacific Northwest as well as features of gardening stories that will impact our local area. Gardening is my additction - hopefully you are along for the ride with me!