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PS: Better hurry. Those crafty, talented, and promo savvy
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I was 15. My mom and I were on a grand adventure. We'd decided to move across country and start a new life. Nothing much was wrong with our old life but a new life sounded exciting and fun.

We sent our belongings ahead on a long semi truck and prayed they would be waiting for us when we finally got there. We got in the car and drove out of town on Father's Day (Dad already lived across country-though not where we were headed). I waved to my older sisters and my best friend until they were out of site.

Crossing the plains was long and boring. I'd had no idea that wheat took up that much of our country's real estate. Unfortunately my mom got a speeding ticket outside of Lincoln, NE which meant that we took even longer, at the posted speed limit, to get through the monotonous middle of the country. But once we did our trip became fun. We stopped at random tourist traps and site seeing places. We blared the radio and sang at the top of our voices as we covered mile after mile. Each night we stopped at a hotel and I mapped out our route for the next day.
Arizona. What an inspiring state. Such a unique beauty. And so stinkin' hot. We'd stopped earlier in the day because the car didn't even like the heat and threatened to boil over. We'd found a hotel with a sparkling pool that I took full advantage of. Much later after I'd showered and we'd eaten, Mom sent me out to the car to get change from the large jar in the trunk so that we could get sodas from the vending machine. It was dark but the temperature was still warm. I'd thrown on sandals so that I wouldn't burn my feet on the blacktop. I opened the cavernous trunk. The jar was wedged between a suitcase and a box near the back of the trunk. I leaned against the bumper and reached as far as I could toward the jar. My fingers had just found purchase on the lid when it started.

Tt-t-t-t-t-t--t-t

A rattle. I froze. My heart stopped for a moment and then kicked into full speed. My head and upper body were inside the trunk. I'd have to move in order to see where the rattler was. I had no particular knowledge of how to deal with a rattle snake-having been raised in the midwest-but instinct told me it was close enough to threaten me. My mind raced through options. Crawl into the trunk completely. But then what? I'd left the door open to our room but I doubted my mom would hear me yell. More than likely the snake would just slither into the room to cool down. I could throw something from the trunk as a diversion. But what if the snake wasn't really under the car like I suspected? What if it was right behind me? In the bushes I'd walked past? Then what?

While my mind filed through my options my hands worked on their own accord and unscrewed the top of the jar and reached in to get the proper change for two sodas. I dutifully capped the jar again and wedged it back into place. Quietly and carefully, without moving any other part of my body that was not in the trunk. If I lived at least we'd have soda.

After standing in the same position for what felt like an eternity listening to the rattle of the snake echo around the dark parking lot, I finally made my move. In one swift movement I stood up, slammed the trunk and bolted to the hotel room. I slammed the door behind me panting as if I'd run a 100 yard dash. My mom peered across the room and seeing my terror, rushed to me to offer comfort for my unknown incident.

I still live in the west and to this day, I approach cars cautiously at the end of a hot day.
I want to thank all those who wrote to me about their rattler encounters.
I enjoyed reading every word, and admit to quite a few giggles along the way.

Thanks for making the launch of Pa, Gran and her barfy green
"Rattlesnake Jam," such a success.

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My wild and wacky tale about Gran, Pa,
and their passion for rattlers, is finally published

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plus
WIN an autographed copy of Rattlesnake Jam

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"Rattlesnake Jam"
Read about it HERE

Fear not!
Pa dug through gran's kitchen drawers and found some lipsmacking, recipies
that will rattle your taste buds, and slither down your throat.


Try Gran's yummy rattler recipes.
Gran's Kitchen has a few that won't freak your mom too much.

Keep your eye on Gran's Recipe Page!

( "Rattle" me a comment)

Website <><> "Musings"

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NOTE: Reluctant readers, on the other hand, must dive in
for the best results! A reading treat for all BOYS!

WARNING: Wear knee boots at all times when reading
this picture book. . . just in case!

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("Guardian Angel Publishing's" Authors.)

(Comments Welcomed! )


My Website <> "Musings"

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