We were always on alert for all rough elements that existed here in our own backyard. This area is so beautifully kept these days, just drive out north on Sherman Drive and along the highway and notice how well kept the grass is on the highway and railroad right of ways. It makes me wonder in amazement at how beautiful the area is becoming.

I find this to be a most welcoming view as I travel north at the noon hour and going south in the early morning hours. The trees are trimmed and the grass is well groomed and the addition of construction of new businesses with the beautiful building being built by First Security Bank.

The various plans for additional businesses and construction makes us feel that we are actually witnessing a change in the community image. As we travel a little further out and see the hanging grape vines sweeping down out of the trees and note that this is another beautiful landmark that is quickly fading away to the more civil and well-kept grass lawns.

I ask myself where is all of this coming from and where it is taking us. I would like to acknowledge our local governing body of City Councilors and the many hours of volunteer work that is going on that adds to the attraction of our community. The Councilors’ response is that they are not satisfied yet and their hopes are for more and better of the same in the future. My best wishes for the continued success of these planning city fathers.

I normally remove thee or four snakes from the skimmer in the swimming pool each year. It is normally an ordeal as I remove the more vicious attacking snakes. I generally poke them around a good bit before finally removing them.

My grandsons, Zac and E.Z., are more fortunate than I am. They have a five-acre pond in their back yard where the snakes are rather plentiful. Zac is becoming a good shot with his BB and pellet gun. Zac says that when he sees two eyes and a nose sticking up in the water he knows that it is time for him to have some target practice with this pellet gun. One shot between the eyes will cause the snake to roll over in the water and sink to the bottom. When the snake dies, it will float to the surface.

Zac takes the hide off the dead creature and stretches it over a flat piece of wood to dry and go through the treatment that he uses to preserve the snake skin.

Noel, Zac’s cherokee-descended father, has a way of talking to the rattle snakes, as did Cherokee Chief Sequoyah. Chief Sequoyah communicated with the rattlesnakes in a cave in Mexico where he went to die back in the 1830's, when the great Cherokee’s removal was taking place. The Chief could relax the rattle snakes so that they could both live in the same shelter.

Noel said that the six-foot rattlesnake in this week’s photo was crossing his path one day while he was riding his four-wheeler. He ran over the rattlesnake’s tail which had eleven rattlers, which was enough to make the snake angry enough to strike at his tires hoping to eliminate his big enemy. Noel said that the rattlesnake was very mad, so he got the nearest tree limb and began to pulverize the snake’s head. When he was convinced he was in no danger, he tied the six-foot snake on the back or his four wheeler racks and strapped him down and was again on his way. When he arrived at the camp area, he found that the snake was very much alive and that pulverizing his head was not sufficient to tame him down. He found a shovel and whacked the head off of the snake’s very much live body and then proceeded on his four wheeling adventures. Zac and E.Z. both have four wheelers and are learning to take care of themselves when in dangerous situations.

So it all boils down to the old saying that if we keep our own back yard clean and attractive, the less glass we may need in our own house.