A Chicken Guarding Chickens - Part II

 So you thought that was it for yesterday's chicken snake experience? Yeah, well, so did I. That is until I went out to close up the chickens last night. The chicken house door was only 6 to 9 inches from being completely closed even though I'd left it wide open earlier. Why was it that way, you ask? Oh, because the chicken snake that I'd shot was dangling part in and part out of the doorway.

Yeah, you guessed it--I did a Texas two-step in the opposite direction. :) I went and found another shovel. (One was leaning by the chicken coop door and much too close to that snake.) There would be no doubt in my mind that snake was completely and thoroughly dead before I came any closer to it. And trust me, if I could've left it there and gotten away with it, I would've, but then some other critter could get to my chickens and the carcass would've drawn them besides.

So what do I do? I throw a chunk of wood at the snake. It didn't move. I inched closer, squeezing the shovel handle in my grip. I closed the chicken house door on the snake. It still didn't move. Yep, it was dead. Using my shovel I scooped up the long critter and chucked it's sorry carcass near the creek.

Laying in bed that night, reflecting on my day's experiences, I came to realize that there is some very freeing and exhilarating about facing and overcoming something that nearly paralyzes you with fear. I also experienced firsthand that when Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" --He really means ALL. :)

Do you have any fears that God has helped you face and overcome? How did it feel to be the victor?

A Chicken Guarding Chickens

Ever seen a woman streak out of a chicken house like her britches were on fire? Well, you would've if you'd seen me this morning. I'd just gone in to check for eggs and lo and behold ... guess what I found? A 3 to 4 ft long chicken snake curled up in the last nest. Ladies and gentlemen, this is why you always, always look before you stick your hand inside a hole of any size in Texas.

Boy, I squealed and took off like a greased pig in a hog scramble. That was so not the way I expected to start my morning. I went inside, called my mom whose only advice was to get the gun... so I did. Still shaking and almost to the point of tears, I grabbed my rifle, and after many moments of peeking in and out at the snake, I finally gathered up my nerve and rid myself of the unwanted critter. My ears rang as I hurried out of that hen house. It took me a few moments to regain my hearing and my courage to go back and see if the job was done. When I finally did, the snake moved--guess what? Yeah, he ate another bullet. :)

To be sure, this event will probably end up as a scene in a book one day.

So how did your morning go? Was it more or less eventful than mine?

130-year-old, Hidden Treasure

What's 130 years old, less than four inches high, and filled with a plethora of things? No clue? Stop over at Stitches Thru Time today and find out. It's my turn on the group blog, and I'm excited to share with you what my grandmother found in a box of possessions that had belonged to her mother. Come on by, and be sure to leave a comment. Every comment this month enters you in the drawing for multiple prizes. Can't wait to see you there. :)

It's My Turn on "Stitches Thru Time"

Hey y'all, it's my turn on the new group blog 24 other writers and I launched just yesterday. :) We have another round of "Guess Who?" going so drop by and see if you can at least guess who's me. We've got a load of great prizes and every comment left puts your name in the hat! So don't wait; come on by and bring a friend. :)

Stitches Thru Time: Guess Who?