SNAKE WARNING!

Paradise downfall
Temptation woman’s ruin
Serpent fears linger

I’m beginning to believe that I am a snake magnet. Seems I can’t take a simple hike, or rake leaves without uncovering a slithering reptile. I’m not afraid of snakes. I find them fascinating, and have a keen respect for them. Doesn’t keep me from uttering a few scatological terms when finding one curled up in a pile of lawn debris. While on a photo hike a few years ago, I happened upon a cottonmouth… I ALMOST stepped on it. Lucky for me, it was a cool day in November, and the snake was moving very slowly.

When I posted a snap of the brown striped one I uncovered this week, the vehement fear some of my online friends felt toward snakes, particularly the women, surprised me. Probably shouldn’t have.

It made me ponder – as I am wont to do – was this phobia some lingering result of the fall in Paradise. If you give credence to the tale of Adam and Eve, and their temptation in Eden, could the residual fear that women have of snakes be leftover guilt. That we are afraid of falling to temptation again, of falling victim to a sideways talking deceiver, so stay as far away from such a creature as we can.

What does that say about women like me, who aren’t afraid? Whose curiosity brings us to the brink of danger? Are we immune to sweet talk? Or are we flirting with our immortality?