TOO FREAKY FOR ME

We all slept in late this morning, skipped breakfast and waited for lunchtime. Let Xi Shi out into the front yard on leash while I sat on the doorstep inside drinking my morning coffee and waiting for her to potty. She did and came back inside.

View from living room window of my huge front yard.

Way too hot to go for our usual walk on the beach. Still no breeze. Just my luck that my whole week will be spent inside the coach. It’s a good thing I brought lots of movies.


My friend Pat came by today to see how we were doing. He brought back my old beach cart that he was working on but when he took it out of his truck the wheel fell off again. So he’ll take it back to his house and try once again to fix it.


We had a nice visit. He wanted to know all about how I spent last week on Jury Duty. I was picked to sit on a jury involving a drive-by shooting that occurred last year by a 16 year old now being tried as an adult for attempted first degree murder. He shot into a crowd of people and hit 2 young girls. They didn’t die but have suffered from their wounds. It was an easy trial as the defendant confessed but we had to determine if there was intent to commit murder or should we find him guilty of a lesser crime.


We had 5 choices: attempted first degree murder; attempted second degree murder; aggravated manslaughter; aggravated battery; or not guilty. According to a new statute, only the first choice included drive-by shootings.


It was an interesting case and although I was hoping not to have to serve, I enjoyed hearing the testimony. On the last day the judge informed us that although there were 14 of us in the jury box only 12 were going into the Jury Room and 2 of us had already been chosen as alternates. I was one of the alternates. The judge said I could call his office the following week to find out what the jury decided. I have yet to do that because I’m here camping.


It got cloudy this afternoon around 2:00 so I decided to try out my new folding bike. Took it for a spin around the campground. Noticed that all the campers are from Louisiana. No snow birds yet. I learned something about camping in August in south Louisiana on this ride. Most campers were sitting outside with a large outdoor fan blowing on them. We call them hurricane fans due to the force of the wind they blow. Keeps the mosquitoes away as well. I had one on my deck at the camp here but gave it away when I thought I had a buyer. Don’t think I have room for one of those in my basement now with the bike and trailer and all.


Xi Shi was in the yard on leash and didn’t bark when I rode away on the bike. When I got back she acted as though I had been gone for days. We continued to take advantage of the cloudy sky and walked to the beach. A couple of people were fishing but that’s all. We walked along the water’s edge then the sun came out again. We both tired out fast so came back to the coach, which is so very comfortable, to wait till sundown to return for an evening walk.


Had a snack on some of the cold leftover shrimp from the fridge. Of course the cats and the dog had to have some, too. Settled down for some computer time while the pets took a nap.

Going...

Going...

Gone.

Around 6:00 I hooked up the pet trailer to the bike and Xi Shi and I went for a ride around the campground. I was really enjoying the ride when I came around a bend onto the main entrance driveway and I saw something moving out of the corner of my eye on my right. Yes... it was a snake! It was traveling at a steady rate in the middle of the road leaving the campground. When I stopped the bike, it looked toward me and veered a little my way. I was beginning to panic. Not sure if I should peddle to the left or get off the bike and run with it.


I tried to notice its markings but I wasn’t able to. It was always in an "S" shape as it traveled but I’m guessing it was at least 4 feet and if stretched out would be at least 6 feet. It was not a small or skinny snake. It went into the nearby brush which is near the back of the Camp Host’s camper. They are not at home. We may never see it again, however, now I know that there is at least one snake on the campground. Not good.


I remember my friend Pat telling me years ago that there are no snakes on Grand Isle. Five years ago there was one in my front yard at my camp and now today this one. Sure wish I knew what kind it was. Why in the hell was it in the middle of the street? There is a lot of forest area with bushes and trees for it to live in but it was in the street and I swear it looked like it knew where it was going... like it had an intent. I’ve got to shake this. It’s too freaky for me.

Went for a walk on the beach at sunset.  It was a little breezy and I enjoyed my walk.  Came home and had a ham sandwich.  Movie tonight is "Analyze That."  I'm feeling like popcorn.