First Snowfall of the Season at My American Home!

[SuvarnaTeja]

I've only seen baby alligators in tanks at those souvenirs shops on my way back from Florida. But when I move there permanently maybe then I could go their national parks and rivers to get a glimpse of them.

Just go to a nearest golf course and you will find them.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

This is just a casual post. Thought to share to maybe lighten up the mood here some. Showing the first snowfall of the season which is happening today. Already about 3-3.5 inches of snow has fallen here and that's enough for those of us who live in the American Deep South. So far this year, the temp has fallen to as low as 23 F / -5 C, but I have seen as low as 4 F many years ago.

Surrounded by literally hundreds of acres of woodlands and hardly any neighbors, life is peaceful. It can get boring working from home. Sometimes I miss city life but city trips can be made every now and then. Pics show our little house in both sunny and snowy days. A 'Frog Pond' in the backyard which was frozen a few days ago--and certainly frozen again and covered with snow right now. It is great joy to sit in the sun and it is great joy to walk in the snow. The first sign of spring is usually wild daffodils blooming sometime in February. I know when summer has arrived when tiny frogs appear on the rim of the Frog Pond. Distinct sign of the Fall are the yellowing leaves on our fruit trees like peach, apple, apricot, plum, and pear. Winter starts when all the oak trees have their leaves completely fallen. I walk up and down our very long, shaded driveway every season and watch various trees changing their colors as required by Mother Nature. Snakes start appearing in April--but they are almost always harmless and I often just walk past them. I used to kill them and on one day alone some years ago I had killed four of them--I still regret that. So last year I just used jet from a garden hose to make one go away from the front of the house. My company is plenty of raccoons, squirrels, crows, and several kinds of birds. Also there are plenty of deer who take advantage of the safe environment near the house. But recently coyotes have been coming closer and closer to the house and their pack's View attachment 809168View attachment 809169View attachment 809170View attachment 809172View attachment 809173howling can be scary. Then there are more elusive foxes around; I have seen only 2-3 of them. Black bear sightings are also increasing, as the wild-life habitat is shrinking; one was spotted barely a mile from our house some months ago. They are generally afraid of people and go away but a sow with her cubs can be dangerous.


@Hamartia Antidote : You like country life, so might find it interesting.


View attachment 809169View attachment 809170View attachment 809172

Now I remember what those pictures of your house reminded me of.

It's Virginia though.

 

[Meengla]

Now I remember what those pictures of your house reminded me of.

It's Virginia though.

Hahaha! Only heard of the 'Waltons'. I thought it is more like 'Green Acres' here. Oh, it is more lonely here than the Waltons opening scene you are sharing: I have not seen a single human being in the last 4-5 days except wife who is gone most of the day for work. Just a few passing by vehicles when I am at the street.

I killed this poor snake a couple of days ago. I HATE killing snake but wife said, being a brown snake, this was likely poisonous. I killed with a shovel and shared the pic with a friend who said it was 'harmless garter snake'. Poor baby. And it was a baby snake.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

Hahaha! Only heard of the 'Waltons'. I thought it is more like 'Green Acres' here. Oh, it is more lonely here than the Waltons opening scene you are sharing: I have not seen a single human being in the last 4-5 days except wife who is gone most of the day for work. Just a few passing by vehicles when I am at the street.

So I never actually watched this show very much. This was one of those shows when you were spinning the rotary dial on the TV trying to find something interesting you were like "oh god this @#$% boring show is on again WTF it was on last night too damnit!!!" when you stopped to take a glance.

Just painful to attempt to watch. It was probably some "chick show".

I killed this poor snake a couple of days ago. I HATE killing snake but wife said, being a brown snake, this was likely poisonous. I killed with a shovel and shared the pic with a friend who said it was 'harmless garter snake'. Poor baby. And it was a baby snake.

View attachment 828776

Well believe it or not they survive in the cold north. When I lived in Boston I saw the first outdoor snake of my life at age 12ish when i walked out the cellar door and up some stone steps and there it was on a step and scared the complete sh*t out of me. I turned around, ran back in, and grabbed a shovel off the wall and whacked it a few times. Told it to the neighbors and they were like "oh yeah I see them from time to time". I never ever saw another in the area. Just a one-off.

So when I was looking for a new home (with the new wife) there was this well-to-do town West of Boston with a beautiful house for sale...with a backyard near a river. So I would always walk the property perimeter before going into an Open House just to see what the story is with the land because if I didn't like it there was no use going in the house. My wife is even more fussier...9 times out of 10 she wouldn't even get out of the car as her extreme version of "curb appeal" governed her decision making. In this particular case she did get out and walked in the house while I walked around outside.

The backyard was crawling with snakes. It was ridiculous. They were slithering around everywhere. I just turned around and went in the house and grabbed the wife by the arm and ushered her out (she usually did this to me). She's in the car upset going "hey that house was really nice!!!". I said "doesn't matter the backyard is crawling with snakes..you'd be screaming if you walked in the backyard". That quieted her down.

 

[Meengla]

The backyard was crawling with snakes. It was ridiculous. They were slithering around everywhere. I just turned around and went in the house and grabbed the wife by the arm and ushered her out (she usually did this to me). She's in the car upset going "hey that house was really nice!!!". I said "doesn't matter the backyard is crawling with snakes..you'd be screaming if you walked in the backyard". That quieted her down.

That would be scary for most people in the world!! However 'harmless' most species of snakes are, somehow human beings have a heightened fears of snakes--and cockroaches! I am more terrified of cockroaches than snake and that's one of the main reasons visiting family in Karachi in warm season is so scary! I think the snakes in the cold north--where you are from-- should be mostly/all harmless?? Oh, a few days ago, a retired biology professor told me 'all black snakes in this region are harmless'. The guy is an expert on snakes and his opinion is the most authentic in my circle--which makes me regret having killed so many black snakes on my property over the years.

Some updates. Clock wise: Apple trees are blooming, tiny peach, pears and nectarines have come up. There are also some plums but they are very high on branches. The pomegranate bushes have tiny leaves. Wild blackberry vines have flowers--should be fruiting by June. It is a beautiful Spring this season!!

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

That would be scary for most people in the world!! However 'harmless' most species of snakes are, somehow human beings have a heightened fears of snakes--and cockroaches! I am more terrified of cockroaches than snake and that's one of the main reasons visiting family in Karachi in warm season is so scary! I think the snakes in the cold north--where you are from-- should be mostly/all harmless?? Oh, a few days ago, a retired biology professor told me 'all black snakes in this region are harmless'. The guy is an expert on snakes and his opinion is the most authentic in my circle--which makes me regret having killed so many black snakes on my property over the years.

Some updates. Clock wise: Apple trees are blooming, tiny peach, pears and nectarines have come up. There are also some plums but they are very high on branches. The pomegranate bushes have tiny leaves. Wild blackberry vines have flowers--should be fruiting by June. It is a beautiful Spring this season!!

View attachment 837052

2 VENOMOUS Snakes Found in Massachusetts! (2024)

Learn the different types of VENOMOUS SNAKES in Massachusetts, AND how to identify them. How many of these species have YOU seen?

birdwatchinghq.com

I had to cut my peach tree down a few years ago because it wasn't bearing fruit anymore. It had that leaf wilt virus thing. Only have blueberries raspberries, blackberries, and grapes left.

 

[Meengla]

2 VENOMOUS Snakes Found in Massachusetts! (2024)

Learn the different types of VENOMOUS SNAKES in Massachusetts, AND how to identify them. How many of these species have YOU seen?

birdwatchinghq.com

I had to cut my peach tree down a few years ago because it wasn't bearing fruit anymore. It had that leaf wilt virus thing. Only have blueberries raspberries, blackberries, and grapes left.

Hah! So you too have Copperheads and Rattlesnakes! I am surprised for so far in cold climate! The biology professor also told me that rattlesnakes are usually found in the hills of the Appalachia and copperheads among the inhabited areas. Sounds right.

I once saw a rattlesnake on a lonely hike on the Appalachian Trail, a few feet besides the trail. It rattled its tail--making the sound--when I was near. It didn't scare me much because I didn't know then how dangerous it was! But, after the hike, people told me that the snake was just warning me and had no intention of attacking me unless I posed a direct threat.

Speaking of threats, a stray pit bull coming to our house recently. It is a muscular beast and has come very close to me when I was inside the house and stared at me. And has also barked at people on the street. Our problem is that, being so far from anyone, if the damned thing attacks us then no one would even hear our screams for help! The peace of mind has been broken here lately. I am now often carrying an axe on me walking the property. I called the county Animal Control office. They have given a trap/cage. But so far the animal has not showed up and the bait has been eaten by some smart critters, such as raccoons, without entering the cage at night.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

Speaking of threats, a stray pit bull coming to our house recently. It is a muscular beast and has come very close to me when I was inside the house and stared at me. And has also barked at people on the street. Our problem is that, being so far from anyone, if the damned thing attacks us then no one would even hear our screams for help! The peace of mind has been broken here lately. I am now often carrying an axe on me walking the property. I called the county Animal Control office. They have given a trap/cage. But so far the animal has not showed up and the bait has been eaten by some smart critters, such as raccoons, without entering the cage at night.


View attachment 837137

Hmm...pit bulls are incredibly dangerous and not something to be taken lightly.

If it doesn't have a collar and it comes on your property you actually might have the right to shoot it. My state has specific laws for pitbulls.

https://www.hg.org/legal-articles/massachusetts-pitbull-law-51268

 

[Meengla]

Hmm...pit bulls are incredibly dangerous and not something to be taken lightly.

If it doesn't have a collar and it comes on your property you actually might have the right to shoot it. My state has specific laws for pitbulls.

https://www.hg.org/legal-articles/massachusetts-pitbull-law-51268

Yes sir, pit bulls are dangerous! The Animal Control guy has been to our property a few times. He is a friend of an in-law, as I found out. Trying his best to help me. He said if you shoot then shoot to kill--with or without some collar--it is fine by him! He'd look the other way. [He didn't say in those words, of course, but you know]. But my gun is a .22 with only snake shots. Could barely kill a bunny, let alone a big pit bull. And the guy said hard to find real bullets these days.

So I have tried using a few BB Guns from a relative but they are not quick enough to load to target a charging pit bull. The guy said to get a pistol/revolver but I am hesitant to carry a loaded lethal weapons on me all the time. I just hope the damn beast just goes away or the coyotes, who have been coming in packs around the house in numbers get a good meal from the pit bull.

But looks like I will have to return the trap/cage to the Animal Control department soon--they have a shortage of them, as the guy said. It is not working for me anyway.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

Yes sir, pit bulls are dangerous! The Animal Control guy has been to our property a few times. He is a friend of an in-law, as I found out. Trying his best to help me. He said if you shoot then shoot to kill--with or without some collar--it is fine by him! He'd look the other way. [He didn't say in those words, of course, but you know]. But my gun is a .22 with only snake shots. Could barely kill a bunny, let alone a big pit bull. And the guy said hard to find real bullets these days.

So I have tried using a few BB Guns from a relative but they are not quick enough to load to target a charging pit bull. The guy said to get a pistol/revolver but I am hesitant to carry a loaded lethal weapons on me all the time. I just hope the damn beast just goes away or the coyotes, who have been coming in packs around the house in numbers get a good meal from the pit bull.

But looks like I will have to return the trap/cage to the Animal Control department soon--they have a shortage of them, as the guy said. It is not working for me anyway.

A high quality screwdriver with a tip sharpened to a very very nasty point (not a flimsy 4 inch buck knife) is your best close combat self-defense weapon against a dog. Offer it your left arm and repeatedly stab it with your right.

Just remember trying to fight a dog like a pit bull bare handed is almost useless. They can brush off most punches (even to the head) easily just like a heavy weight boxer. You'll tire out way before they start feeling uncomfortable.

 

[Meengla]

A high quality screwdriver with a tip sharpened to a very very nasty point (not a flimsy 4 inch buck knife) is your best close combat self-defense weapon against a dog. Offer it your left arm and repeatedly stab it with your right.

Just remember trying to fight a dog like a pit bull bare handed is almost useless. They can brush off most punches (even to the head) easily just like a heavy weight boxer. You'll tire out way before they start feeling uncomfortable.

The Animal Control people came and took away the trap a couple of days ago and I ended up giving away the fish cans bait to a relative; speaking of which, the price of each can jumped from 60 cents to $1.25 in no time. Oh, the 7% inflation! <Sarcasm>

A beautiful day today and I finally decided to wash the pollen off our vehicles. The carport has helped a lot so only some hosing needed--no scrubbing. Our vehicles are 2008 and 2009 Toyota Yaris which have given up to 42.5 miles per gallon (the American gallon) on highways. Very fuel efficient and I have carried even a bale of hay in my car. They have around 100,000 miles on them each. I hear Yaris could go well beyond 200,000 miles. You see--it is a simple life here, no keeping up with any Joneses--well, there are no Joneses in the neighborhood anyway!

I also cleared some weed and now there is a nice flat spot of land--about 360 sq ft-- which gets at least 6 hours of direct sun to grow something. But with a busy corp job and so much wildlife, I think growing something there seems unfeasible. Besides, I am always partying and being lazy. My favorite month of the year is April and it is ending and I am sad!


Pics:

 

[Meengla]

@Hamartia Antidote
Yesterday a big black dog showed up in the backyard. It was not the brown pitbull. This damn dog was barking at me. I literally got some goose bumps! But I stepped out to try to take its pic but it ran away to the woods and still barking. Images of 'Cujo' comes up! I texted the Animal Control guy but no response. I am going to seriously look into a serious gun or a some real bullet for my 310 rifle or at least get a pepper spray. There have been at least two brutal mauling by dogs within a hundred miles of my residence in the last few weeks, with one of them was a fatality.

 

[Maula Jatt]

@Hamartia Antidote
Yesterday a big black dog showed up in the backyard. It was not the brown pitbull. This damn dog was barking at me. I literally got some goose bumps! But I stepped out to try to take its pic but it ran away to the woods and still barking. Images of 'Cujo' comes up! I texted the Animal Control guy but no response. I am going to seriously look into a serious gun or a some real bullet for my 310 rifle or at least get a pepper spray. There have been at least two brutal mauling by dogs within a hundred miles of my residence in the last few weeks, with one of them was a fatality.

you should get a pistol or shotgun at least

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

you should get a pistol or shotgun at least

Problem is most people can't shoot straight in a panic so the rifle/shotgun is out. A charging dog will be on you in a second so you have 1 shot. Pistol is basically your only option but i hope you have a full magazine and you can handle close quarters on the ground on your back in a panic.

Screwdriver doesn't have a safety, jam, magazine release, or run out of ammo and is forgiving when you are in a panic.

 

[Maula Jatt]

Problem is most people can't shoot straight in a panic so the rifle/shotgun is out. A charging dog will be on you in a second. Pistol is basically your only option but i hope you have a full magazine and you can handle close quarters on the ground on your back.

The screwdriver doesn't jam or run out of ammo.

I would prefer that I am not using a screwdriver while fighting a damn Pitbull