Snakes and Cows

You are probably going to hear a lot about snakes here for a little while anyway (I apologise in advance) - why because it is my biggest fear of moving to the country!  It was the part about this move that I shoved to the back of my mind and refused to acknowledge for the most part - OK, I knew that snakes live in the country but they weren't going to affect me!!!

Jordan did so well with conquering his fear last year, it would be an injustice to him and our teachings to him to not attempt to conquer my fear and I have been trying.  I am becoming more acceptable of the fact that living in the country involves snakes and now that I have my "gumboots" I am more comfortable in getting out in the garden (although the weather isn't permitting much of that at the moment) and not letting my fears stop me from exploring areas that I wouldn't have put a foot near a month ago.  Slowly, slowly though and as they say Baby Steps first - I am NOT going to go looking for snakes to conquer this fear head on!!!

So Saturday night around 7.00pm, Jordan and I were driving back from a party and catching up with a friend.  I pulled into the street off the main road and there in the middle of the road was a medium (but huge in my eyes) snake (Python I think).  I stopped the car and watched it for about 5 minutes and it really was fascinating, especially knowing I was safe and sound in the car - a fact I was very much aware of.  The next day as we were all driving back down that street, I remembered the snake and was telling Paul all about it.  

I was about to point out the spot it was and there on the side of the road was the snake, curled up and very much dead.  Now I never, ever thought I would hear myself say this, but I felt so sad for it, yes I did say I felt SAD.  Where this came from I do not know but I am glad that I can feel compasion and sadness for an animal that brings up such an emotion of fear in me.

On the other side of the spectrum, yesterday we saw 4 cows and Jordan says "1 bull" run over the bridge and into the school.  They were being herded up the little road to Prahba's house but the guy herding them was some ways back. These are the reasons why we choose this school and to live in the country - it was a beautiful sight for the eyes.

 

 Didn't have my camera so this is a photo of Jordan and one of the cows at Dean & Cindy's place last year