On Alert

Now we have mosquito repellent and tick balm to weather the outdoors. When an errant golf ball disappears into the overgrowth it remains. Remember running barefoot in the grass? According to those in the know we should don long pants, long sleeves, and  a wide brimmed hat before picking a weed.

It’s downright dangerous out there. And in a town nearby an eight foot python left his abode and wanders in the neighborhood. 

Years ago, when I was in the third grade, our school rented an old movie called— I believe— Frank Bring them Back Alive Buck. In that movie Frank allows a twelve foot boa to coil around his torso. It all worked out because three extras unwrapped the coils. 

That night I asked my father to look under the bed, in the closet, and in the shower lest there was a boa in our home. All he found was my grandmother’s ball of twine. 

Hyper vigilance — code words.