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Monday, December 31, 2007

Friday, December 28, 2007

Dogs, Cats, Possums & Tigers



We had a bit of a drama here last night.

As nobody else was at home, I'd settled myself in front of the television to catch up on one of my favorite shows, "Bones". The two working dogs, Tiger and Nig, were tied up on the veranda, Mickey was inside with me, and the two cats, Dixi and Rambo, were curled up in their chosen spots. All was quiet and peaceful...

Until 11pm, that is.

Tiger started carryi
ng on like a lunatic. He's been doing this at the same time almost every night for the past couple of months, and it was driving me crazy. Our resident brush tailed possum and her offspring would come across the veranda, down the rose bush beside the water tank and drink out of Tiger's water bowl while completely ignoring the manic dog that could easily have eaten them both. Tiger would bark, whine, jump, run to the length of his chain and quake with fear. One brave cattle dog!

Last night, enough was enough. I raced outside with a rolled up newspaper to make the dog behave. I could hear hissing and spitting going on. He'd bailed up, not the possum this time, but one of the neighbor's cats. I went back inside and grabbed a torch.

When I went back out, Tiger wouldn't let me get near the cat. I thought it must be a nasty feral cat he had backed up against the house.

At this stage I must say, our house is up on stilts because we live on the flood plain. We're at least 5 feet up. No problem for a cat or a possum.

But my torch light didn't find a cat or a possum. It was a tiger snake. No wonder the dog was going insane.

I couldn't believe it. A tiger snake!

I shifted the dog around to the other side of the veranda and tied him up where he'd be safe and I got a shovel. It was no use. I couldn't wield the shovel in one hand and the torch in the other. There was no way I could kill the snake. [Snakes are protected out here and I normally wouldn't go after one to kill it, but sorry, this one is too close for comfort. It has to go.]

The snake took one look at me and disappeared down a slit in the floor boards - and I do mean a "tiny slit". That was a bit scary. If it could get into a tiny space like that, it could get into the house.

Anyway, I thought it was gone and tied Tiger back up where his bed was. He was still shaking and nervous, but I told him everything was okay and that the nasty snake had gone.

I went back to watching television, then not half an hour later, Tiger was carrying on again and looking up at the rose bush that's growing up the veranda post. It had to be the possum this time because tiger snakes don't climb trees. It definitely wouldn't climb a very prickly rose bush.

Out I go, once again, with the torch. And this is what I found...

Click on the photo for a close look.
It's sitting there, curled happily around the rose bush, coming down from the top right hand side of the photo, facing the camera. No doubt it was wondering what I was doing flashing bright lights in its face. I couldn't get a closer shot. It is a deadly snake after all. I've had one lunge a few feet at me, so they can jump forward fairly quickly when they're in a bad mood. Tiger snakes only have 2 moods - aggressive and insanely aggressive.

Now I feel really bad about yelling at the dog to shut up and not be such an idiot about a harmless possum having a drink.

This snake has been terrorizing the dog for weeks. Poor Tiger.

Now, when I see where the snake was sitting, I realize how close I must have been to it every night when I went out and rattled the rose bush to show the dog that there was nothing in it.

Lesson 1: Don't assume your dog is a fool.
Lesson 2: Tiger snakes really can climb trees.

We still haven't caught the snake. We'll have to find it. We can't risk having one of the dogs or cats, or one of us killed.

Tiger spent the night around the other side of the veranda with Nig. Out of harm's way.

So...

Round 1 goes to the snake.

But, this fight ain't over yet...

Stay tuned.


Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays


Hi everyone!

It's evening here on Christmas Day and I've finally found a quiet moment before it all starts again for the evening meal.

I wish you all the happiest Christmas ever, the best festive season, celebration, holiday, or however you wish to celebrate this time of the year.

May you all find, love, peace, happiness, hope, and strength and inspiration to carry you forward into the coming new year.

Cheers

Brittany

Plurk

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Gypsy Stone Dukkering

Casting the Stones

Long before the Tarot became synonymous with fortune telling, Gypsies used the natural world around them to help them see into the troubled hearts of those who came seeking knowledge and guidance.
River stones, gems, crystals, sticks, needles and bones were often used by the dunkerer [dukkerer] or palm reader.
I love using my own set of river stones that I personally hand picked and charged with healing energy.
When I read, I'm not so much telling a fortune, as looking into the heart of the energy surrounding the person I'm reading for. I believe this gives a more accurate insight into what is at the heart of a problem or situation and can provide real, down to earth ways of helping people deal with what life sometimes throws at them.
Casting the stones is something I love and I hope to continue with my readings for as long as life will allow.

Láshi Baxt Me Zhav Tute

(May Good Luck from me go with you)

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