Anchorhead said:

ferris209 said:

Of course, here in Texas just about every party is an outdoor barbeque, and of course, the bees seem attracted to those.

That's because we make the best barbecue there is. ;-) Well, that and all the sweet smells of sugary drinks that inevitably get opened and left sitting out.

The way you and Frink are with bees, I'm that way with snakes. I go out of my way to avoid them. I have some land in the pineywoods north of Houston and I'm never without my snake boots - even though I've never seen a snake out there.

Like Frink mentioned though, if you're allergic, that's a very good reason to stay clear.

Hey! I'd forgotten you were a fellow Texan! Yep, we sure do make great barbecue.

As far as snakes, I don't like'em, but so long as I know they are there it doesn't bother me. Especially if I know what kind of snake it is, you know there are only four venomous types in Texas. Rattlers, Copperheads, Cottonmouths (water moccasins), and Coral Snakes.

I cannot tell you how many calls I've been on where I get on scene and person says, "Officer, the snakes right inside the house, I don't know where he is at in the house though, when I saw him I ran out and called you."Those kind of calls are very unnerving. I don't know where the snake is in the house AND I have no idea if it is a venomous one or not. Too many people confuse Bull Snakes for Rattlers though, mostly because they do look alike, but Bull Snakes are infamous for "pretending" to be rattlers. They'll wiggle their tail against something in order to make the tell-tell rattle sound and that usually freaks out people. But a rattlers rattle is pretty distinct and the Bull Snake can rarely be close enough to an object that would provide the optimal noise.

I have to admit, I LOVE myself snakeskin boots. I have about 10 pairs. Rattler, boa constrictor, and python. Plus, my guitar strap has a portion of rattler skin inlaid on it.