Watch Where You Step at Night!

I went out in the dark to look at stars and planets. They were
wonderful;  they were wealth. Then, in the driveway,
something wet and coldish flapped over my foot and ankle.
I thought it might be an oak branch that had fallen and somehow
got wet.

I moved away and turned my flashlight on it. It was a snake,
silvery, a foot long, indignant and thrashing about. Probably
a young blacksnake; their young shine like minnows. If it was
hurt it was not seriously, because after it was done thrashing
it did the sidewinder thing across the asphalt and into
the tall grass. I cried, "I'm sorry! I didn't mean it!" and
hope it understood and forgave me.

It did not bite. I am truly very sorry. I didn't expect a snake
in middle of driveway in the dark. But from now on, I will.
They say you learn something every day. That's especially
true in the country.