Oh, you bring back many memories. One was of an instance when I was cleaning out the shed and reached down to discard some old black coiled cable. But, of course, it wasn't cable at all...rather, the biggest black snake I'd ever seen. I called for reinforcements and was shortly thereafter witness to a well-deserved murder. Many years prior to that incident, the then-husband and I, along with three children under four, were driving down T Highway by Lake Wappapello when we spotted a rattler on the road. By carefully swerving the tires, he managed to stop it in its slithering tracks and the then-husband, judging it to be a "keeper," retrieved the varmit and placed it in a cardboard box in the back of our 1975 green Chevrolet station wagon (with woodgrain trim). The problem arose when it began striking the folded box lid. It was, needless to say, a bit perturbed (as was I). As I recall, it took about 12 miles of convincing before the now-ex determined he should probably pull over and strap the not-yet-carcass atop the car rather than place it a foot behind three pre-schoolers. Upon arriving home, I recall that the now-ex chopped as you did, and then slit the slitherer in an effort to retrieve the "meat." The poison, however, was evident and could be seen running through the body of the rattler, who incidently had 13 rattles and a button. Its skin was housed in our master bedroom closet for years. It was only when he became an ex and I became happily single (with good reason)that I trashed the very brittle nearly seven foot long rattler skin with 13 rattles still in place. Snakes alive, Madeline, you bet!

Guess you're gonna have to have "snake-y" awards like the "Rellies" on Regis and Kelly. Never a dull moment, huh?

Oh boy, did this ever bring up memories. Once, in a galaxy far, far away, I was visiting one of my loving siblings in a distant, but also rural part of the state. When I got home I went into my house with one load of stuff and came back for the last load. When I picked up my tackle box from behind the driver's seat who should pop up but old slitery-dee himself (black snake). I left the door open and ran for a stick or hoe or something (anything). Came back. No snake. I refused to get back into the car until my neighbor came over and checked everywhere. I phoned my sibling/family and told them to keep their @#*&)$ snake to themselves. I drove 4 hours with a snake curled up right behind my car seat. Thank goodness it stayed curled up. I can see the highway patrol report now as I would have vacated the car at a high rate of speed leaving the snake to do the driving. I don't think they drive very well.

This is going to sound really horrible and hillybilly-esque, but my kids were home alone one day and left the kitchen door ajar --- so a snake, of course, came in. The kids chased it through the house and out the laundry room door. From there it skittered across the driveway and went up into the truck from beneath, ending up wound around the engine, striking at them. The boys got in the truck and drove it around the "block" (about five miles), but the snake was still there.

The thing was, my mom and I were going to the chiropractor in Dexter later that day -- and I wanted to get the truck inspected while we were there. We drove it with our feet up the whole way, and when I left the truck at the service station, I said, "Now, there might be a snake in there!" However, they didn't find it and we never saw it again, to my knowledge.

How did a nice girl from Advance end up working for PETA?

It sure is. Congrats.

I've actually eaten fried rattlesnake. I grew up in South Alabama where they have rattlesnake rodeos (or did have pre-PETA days). It tastes like chicken. I had alligator once, too. It tasted like the eraser off the end of a pencil. Same texture too. Real chewy.

Don't worry about being thrown in the hoosegow Ms. Madeline Oakley, you can always claim self-defense. Honest officer, if I didn't kill that snake I woulda had a HEART ATTACK!!

Yes, Mrs. Ezzell was well thought of as a teacher in Bloomfield. Though she is not a close relation, I am sorry I didn't get the chance to meet her, but my dad (the inlaw you mentioned in your reply) told me about her. He did some work for her at her home in Bloomfield over the years.

I'm sure the vast majority of census takers and county recorders did their best in the "old days" to spell names correctly. Trouble was... many people had no clue how to spell their own names! DeJournett was ... and still is in some families... spelled DeJarnat and DeJarnette. Likewise, Ezell is sometimes seen as Ezzell, Ezelle, and Ezel. Who knows which, if any, is right!

I remember that rattler story. There have to be some more huge, "old timer" timber rattlers in those woods! Still amazes me today how all of you managed to escape being snakebit!

I had to laugh out loud at the post above (#4). I can see you with that shotgun chasing down that poor snake.

I enjoy your column, and your blog. Keep up the good writing.