Cold Blooded Lives

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-24T12:50:00.002-05:00

Barbossa's the spoke-reptile for this year's merriment! Of course, Loke the bird has to sneak into the picture, but it's all about Barbossa and his gorgeousness. Of course, he was a little scared (read terrified) of posing with those little Santa dolls. I'm sorry, darling, don't hate me. I promise you won't have to do it again...at least until next year.
Anyway, he and I and the entire reptile squad would lie to wish you all happy, happy holidays!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T12:22:00.005-05:00

On this day, I give thanks for family, in all shapes, species, sizes, and scale patterns.
In particular, thank you to my beautiful 6 snakes, who make my life better every single day. Thank you, my darlings, for being your wonderful selves!

(Topkapi and Damascus, with a guest appearance by Loki, my bird, in the back)

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T12:43:00.002-04:00

Ms. Topkapi would like to wish you all a fabulousssssss Halloween!

A Missiing Mouse

2011-10-16T15:03:00.003-04:00

Barbossa has just finished eating and is resting comfortably under his heat lamp. Of course, I did have to help him with one mouse. He killed it and then had no clue where it went. It was, of course, still in his coils, but there was no way Barbossa could figure that out. I had to actually stick my hands in and uncoil him, and then feed him.
He got a littel scared, but the yummy mouse made up for that.

Everyone else has been behaving remarkably well. It's mighty suspicious. I'll be keeping an eye out for any craziness,

Adventures with a Boa

2011-09-26T19:34:00.003-04:00

Barbossa had a bit of an adventure yesterday.
He somehow, for some reason, decided he'd been in his cage long enough. It was time for something new. I ascended the stairs with his mice, but he was not in his cage. Unusual, no, unheard of.
How did my shy baby get the courage to attempt a daring escape?

I scoured the room, knowing he couldn't leave because he couldn't get his coils past the door. I found him under the large, large bookcase. He'd gotten underneath and was curled up, happy in his new, if constrained hiding spot. I prodded him gently, but nothing. I would have to move the bookcase, but it's not an easy affair when it is as tall as the room, and packed with books.

So I calle dthe cavalry, my mom and dad. They'd recently bought one of those thingies (see the technical term?) to prod furniture up to place sliding pads underneath, so we used it to carefully lift the bookcase. I cannot describe the scene that ensued, my dad pushing the bookcase up, my mom sticking books underneath to keep it propped up, and I, with my hands under the bookcase, playing a game of catch-me-if-you-can with Barbossa. I grabbed him by the tail, but he was knotted up in his own coils, so I had to keep turning him, unwinding him like a scarf, until finally, with one more tug, he came free.
We were all sweaty and tired, but he looked none the worse for wear, if a bit sheepish. Yes, snakes can look sheepish.
So that was my Sunday afternoon. Interesting, no?

Prodigal Daughter

2011-09-12T12:23:00.005-04:00

Yes, I know I've been MIA for a few weeks, but I've just been swamped with getting ready for a recital with my teacher's studio. Tahnkfully, that happened Friday and it went well.

That's a picture of me right after the recital. Can you spot the relief and exhaustion?

In the interim, Coral managed to escape and get found all in the space of a week. She was strolling around the kitchen's window sill, ejoying her freedom. My mom found her.

I might, MIGHT get a carpet python baby. A bunch of reptiles were confiscated from someome one trying to smuggle them in and they were handed over to the Wildlife Center (the reptiles, not the people. Although how fun would that be? Locking criminals up with George the Bald Eagle)If no one claims then, legally, in the next 90 days, anyone is free to take them.
We'll see what happens.

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 49

2011-08-19T18:07:00.003-04:00

Coral ate again! Yes! I think she's not angry with me anymore because I keep her safe in a cage. She's spending more time in her hiding place, so obviously she's becoming a bit more used to captivity. Or she's planning something major, involving smoke bombs and lasers glass cutters. Who knows with her?

Damascus ate also, with his usual gusto, while Talulah and Tybalt ate on Wednesday, so they are curled up with full bellies.
Topkapi didn't eat last week, I don't know why, so I'm hoping tonight she'll take the mouse. She's a grown snake, so it's not a big deal for her to miss a week, but still it makes me worry.

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 48

2011-08-12T19:16:00.002-04:00

Coral ate!!! Yay! I guess she saw that I was feeling a bit sick today so she took pity on me. Thank you Coral, you made my day.

Damascus shed and he looks fabulous, a reptilian movie star. He really needs head shots and things. Can you imagine him, gripping a pen with his tail and scribbling his autograph for adoring admirers? I'd be the first in line.
Well, I'd probably be the only person in line. But never mind.

Barbossa did his walking around the pool, like always. he always looks so happy when he walks around the pool. No matter how hot or humid it is outside, his joy at being in the open air makes up for any discomfort I might feel.

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 47

2011-08-05T16:09:00.002-04:00

So Coral is again not wanting to eat. I think she's throwing a little tantrum becasue I've not allowed her to escape again. She ate two weeks ago, so I'm not panicking yet, but I do want her to start taking the mice again.

Damascus ate, he's shedding but he doesn't seem to care. He atr without issue, by baby.

This morning I cleaned Tybalt and Talulah's cage because they are really messy snakes. They poop or pee and then slither across it, so that there are streaks everywhere. I don't get it. None of my other babies are that messy. Huh. At least they don't complain when I change their paper towels, which is good.
They've both been eating like angels, well, if angels had sharp teeth and strangled prey.

Feeding Frenzy...er, Saturday

2011-07-30T16:35:00.003-04:00

I went to see the Harry Potter movie yesterday, so I begged leave from feeding my babies. Of course, lots of complaining ensued, hissing and lunging and pulling out of crontracts. Okay, not really, but that's what they probably would have liked to have done.
I fed them this morning, to everyone's satisfaction. I have Topkapi later tonight, and Barbossa tomorrow.

I won't lie, I was rooting for Voldemort yesterday. I know, I know, I've read the books so there was no way he could have won, but I was hoping. I mean, the man can speak to snakes and takes Nagini of walks! Evil-minded walks, but walks nonetheless! I like Harry, but there's just no competition. And when they killed Nagini, oh, geez, I practically jumped out of my chair. I knew it was coming, but still, poor baby.
Can someone tell me what the hell happened to the final battle scene between Harry and Voldemort? What was that? It was a bit on the pathetic side, in my opinion, nothing like the book. I'm still grumbling about it.

MS. Topkapi, drinking water for your viewing pleasure. The beauty!

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 46

2011-07-22T19:26:00.002-04:00

Tybalt continues to want to eat frozen/thawed mice, so I am tap-dancing for joy. Talulah, of course, ate, as did Damascus.

So, Coral is somewhere loose in the house, yet again. She managed to grow hands to slide the glass door open, even with my elaborate cardboard lock. How does she do this?! She's hiding somewhere laughing maniacally at my futile attempts to track her down. I've checked in all the places she's hidden before, but nothing. She's too smart for me. Coral, why do you do this to me?

A Victorian Snake

2011-07-16T17:36:00.006-04:00

I'm still trying to get used to having Odin gone. It's hard to walk into the libray/snake room and see the corner where his cage was empty.

Yesterday I didn't get a chance to post about feeding but everyone ate without too much issue. Tybalt was being a bit reluctant, I could practically see his little head working away, wondering if he felt like eating a frozen/thawed pinkie or waiting until Wednesday for a live one. After much convincing on my part (which means I kept rubbing the mouse under his nose) he deigned to open his mouth a bit. Not strike, no, that's too much effort for a subpar meal. I was happy, though. Maybe I can get him back on the frozen mice. Here's hoping.

That's Topkapi, of course, inspecting my table, checking out the vanilla scented candlewax and the feather quill. Perhaps she has an important missive to write. Maybe to a lover on a distant shore somewhere. Very possible with her.

For Odin

2011-07-08T11:36:00.002-04:00

Today I'm not going to post about feeding day.
My little baby Odin died yesterday and so today I want to dedicate the post to him. He'd been sick for a while, and while I hoped he'd get better, he was too little to respond well to antibiotics. It was a horrible thing to find him yesterday morning so still in his cage.
It's so awful to lose a pet. I will miss you, little Odin.

Happy 4tth of July!

2011-07-04T12:52:00.002-04:00

Ms. Topkapi would like to wish all of you in the US a happy 4th!
She'd also like to ask if any of you have a pair of sunglasses she could borrow? She was out partying until way too late.

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 46

2011-06-24T20:58:00.003-04:00

Topkapi just finished shedding, a few minutes before writing this, actually. She looks stunning!

I fed Damascus today first. He just looked so hungry I coulnd't start with anyone else. I gave him his mouse then turned to feed Taluah, who ate beautifully. I turned back and I see Damascus following my every movement through the glass, waiting for me to give him something else. He looked just like a dog begging for food. Too cute.

I assumed that Topkapi wasn't going to eat because she hadn't shed yet. I underestimated her, as I usually do. As soon as I put the mouse in, she lunged and wrapped herself around the very, very dead mouse.

I took that picture yesterday, when Topkapi was traversing the land that is my bed. She explored new horizons, discovered new lands, and spotted a really warm spot under my pillows.

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 45

2011-06-17T22:02:00.002-04:00

Ok, so today was a short feeding day. I'd fed Talulah and Tybalt (who is eating like a greedy little monster) on Wednesday when my sister brought the live pinkies, so I officially had just Coral, Damascus and Odin to feed. Topkapi is shedding so no mice for her.
Damascus ate with no problem, bless his little reptilian soul, but Coral also decided to begin shedding without warning me (I don't really know how she would have done that, but nevermind)so I had to give her mouse to Damascus also. Not a problem for him.

Next was Odin, who is sick. He keeps throwing up his food and I am beyond worried at this point. He's getting fluids but I need him to eat. He always looks hungry but can't seem to keep anythig down. I've checked and rechecked the temperature and humidity in his cage and nothing is off.
Warning: ye of weak stomachs, read no more.

Today I had an idea. I'd been feeding him pinkies that were a little bit bigger than the previous batch which made me think maybe they are too big for him. So, using my little head, I chopped the pinkie in half. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, chopped it in half with a kitchen knife, Ok, this was a frozen/thawed mouse, not a live one. I had visions of PETA knocking on my door.
Odin took it gladly, so now I'm just praying that he can digest it. I really, really hope so.
My poor little sick baby.

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 44

2011-06-10T12:04:00.002-04:00

I thought, since Tybalt ate beautifully on Wednesday, that I could feed Talulah while he was still in the cage. He couldn't possibly be hungry, could he? Yeah, well, he was. He lunged at his sister's mouth to grab the frozen pinkie from her. Just picture me, looking down at this sibling war, screaming a slow-motion "Noooooo!" as I flung my hand down to stop the bloodflow. Yeah, yeah, it wasn't quite that dramatic, but it was a sticky situation.
I'd defrosted another pinkie so I gave it to Tybalt. Since when does he eat frozen mice? I mean, it would be great if he switched to them so I wouldn't have to worry about getting him live ones.

Odin is sick. He keeps throwing up his food and I have checked everything, temperature, humidity, ligh-dark cycle, everything. I think he may have to go on anti-biotics. We'll see.

Dramatics

2011-06-02T20:42:00.004-04:00

Tybalt ate two pinkies last night. I am so proud of him! He is a little eating machine now, which warms the cockles of my heart, or something like that.

Barbossa and I were walking outside today, the usual round around the pool, when I began to hear a screeching nearby. I look up and I see two birds, one blue jay and one mocking bird screaming at both of us. I mean, SCREAMING. Jeez, you'd think Barbossa and I had personally secuestered their babies and were holding them for ransom. Animals can be so dramatic sometimes.

And that's Topkapi, doing some Olympic hiking.

Missing Pinkies

2011-05-26T15:45:00.003-04:00

My sister had trouble bringing the pinkies home last night, so I wasn't able to feed the newly hungry Tybalt. I'm going to attempt tonight with frozen mice, and hopefully he'll be so hungry he won't care.

Everyone is in their cages *cough Coral cough* and they all looks pretty happy. Odin still has not eaten, though, which is freaking me out. I'm soaking him in a disinfectant for reptiles just in case it's a bacteria or something that's bothering him and he's also getting fluids. I hope he starts eating again soon. I'm worried.

Award Ceremony

2011-05-22T14:29:00.003-04:00

Barbossa has just finished eating and he looks as happy as a pig in mud. Of course, he ahd trouble eating thefirst one, since he grabbed it by the middle of the body. He moved, wiggled, and tried every other movement in his limited repertoire to readjust the mouse so he could swallow it, to no avail. I hat to pull it out of his mouth and try again. The second time went much better and the next mouse also gave him no trouble.
He is really the worst hunter, I should make a certificate and have a little trophy placed on top of his cage. To be fair, I would put it next to the award for sweetest animal.

Victory!

2011-05-19T14:17:00.002-04:00

Tybalt ate last night, people! Are you as excited as I am?!!!
Probably not, but let me tell you, I was jumping and hollering and if I could do one without falling on my face I would have done a cartwheel around the room.
He actually ate TWO pinkies. I am floating on a cloud of pink relief.
That's all I had to report today, but boy, is it good news!

A Basket of Scales

2011-05-17T12:09:00.002-04:00

Barbossa ate two mice on Sunday! Yay! This week I'm getting him three because he was asking for another one. The glutton.
He is curled up right now in his basket, like a little baby, albeit with fangs. And scales. And a tail. Okay, so not like a baby, but like a cute snake in a basket.
I'm concerned about Odin, he hasn't eaten in two weeks. It's not a long time snake-wise, but he's so little and so thin. I had my sister give him fluids, but he looks so weak, I'm really concerned.
I don't know what else to do to make him eat. I've tried live pinkies and frozen/thawed ones, and nothing. I can't tell if he's sick or if he's just being a reluctant eater. We'll see what happens.

Sofa Explorations

2011-05-11T16:56:00.000-04:00

Topkapi is on the couch right now, crawling all over. We usually put something ont he couch so the dogs don't get on it, and today we have a bar stool lying sideways. She's loving it! She's crawling all over the legs and hanging off it, like a pirate looking for land. She's just so adorable. Now, she is crawling onto the side table, so I'm going to have to go stop her or she'll disappear under the couch.
Last night I caught Coral trying to sneak out. As soon as she saw me she ducked under her paper towels, but I saw her! She's such a meenie, she has everything she needs in her cage, why does she have to try to make it out?
Barbossa still has not shed, but it should be any day now. In a little it O'll be taking him out for a walk around the pool.

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 43

2011-05-06T18:51:00.002-04:00

Coral is still in her cage, halelujah! She ate a pinkie and a mouse today, so she must be quite happy. See Coral, captivity is not quite so bad.
Talulah of course ate, but Tybalt did not. I had my sister give him fluids, although she says he looks fine. She says I'm exaggerating (who, me?) and to stop worrying. He'll eat when he's good and ready, like Barbossa.
Now, I have to go feed Topkapi, or she'll start whining.

Bounty Hunters

2011-05-02T15:35:00.003-04:00

My mom found Coral yesterday!
She came into my room as I was about to get up and told me she was beneath the sink. She saw her but could not make herself grab her. Coral is a bit intimidation, although she is more of a bully than anything else.
So, of course, by the time I made it downstairs, and I mean the few seconds it took me, she was of course gone. Yeah. Just picture the two of us, neither my mom nor I were fully awake, hunting a multi-colored snake through the many bottles of detergents and cleaners. The funny thing is that mom told me Coral had been wrapped around the jar where I defrost the snake's mice on feeding day. She smelled it out!
We found her in the cupboard next to the sink, hiding underneath a bunch of cloth napkins. She didn't even bother striking or hissing.
One for the humans! Yay!!
Now let's see how long it takes her to escape again.
Anyone want to put money on it?

2011-04-27T22:55:00.002-04:00

I wanted to show you ll that I'm not lying, Barbossa actually loves the pool. The teeny, tiny problem though, is that he can't swim. He goes straight to the bottom, the poor baby. I've actually gotten in the pool with him to see if he can manage, but I think the twisted coil he's had since he was a baby doesn't let him undulate the way he needs to swim. Still, his passion continues. Maybe one day, Barbossa.

By the way, he ate two mice on Sunday, which I am very happy about. Now he's in the process of shedding so he won't eat this week, but maybe next week I can get him three mice. Hear that, Barbossa? Three.

Easter!

2011-04-24T10:01:00.003-04:00

To all the Christians out there, Happy Easter! Just don't forget, if you eat chocolate eggs, bunnies or chicks, that the reason they exist is because of Eostara, a Pagan goddess of fertility. Just a reminder, don't mean to rain on your parade.

I was so busy Friday that I didn't get a chance to post about the feeding. Everyone ate, except for Tybalt, who is still refusing. I've already switched the light bulb in his heat lamp, hopefully that will make a difference. We'll see.
Today Barbossa, eats, so lend all your good thoughts to make him hungry and to make his aim true.

Now go eat chocolate until you pass out.

Headache

2011-04-21T12:29:00.004-04:00

So Tybalt has still not eaten. I am really concerned now. I have no idea what could be bothering him. I changed the lightbulb on his heat lamp to see if maybe by increasing the heat he'd feel more inclined to eat, but I'm getting really nervous. He's little, not like Barbossa who can go weeks without eating with not serious consequences.
I even tried with a fuzzie instead of with a pinkie, since the fuzzies have hair and therefore smell more like mice than a pinkie, and still nothing. I'm trying again today and see what happens.

Barbossa, however, was a perfect angel on Sunday and ate his mouse without too much trouble. He kept looking up for more mice, so this week I'll get him two and see how he fares. Hopefully, soon I'll be able to get him back up to three mice a week.

I'll be baking today, so if you're interested hop on over to Carabosse's Bakeshop

Reptilian Greediness

2011-04-16T15:36:00.002-04:00

It's been such a long week! And it's still going on, because in an hour and a half I have a voice lesson to run to.
But, forget all of that, because my babies are all doing marvelously. Tybalt has still not eaten which is causing me concern, but I have not given up hope. I gave him NutriCal and although he hated it, he drank it down. So at least I know he has some nutrients in his little body.
Everyone else ate just fine yesterday. I'ts funny because I'd completely forgotten I'd fed Damascus an extra mouse a few days ago that Barbossa did't want, and he did nothing to remind me of that little fact. He ate just like he were a little starving snake in the middle of the jungle. Only afterwards did I narrow my eyes with a "wait-a-minute" look. He is something else.

A Toast!

2011-04-11T16:30:00.000-04:00

Sound the trumpets! BArbossa ate last night! Yes, it's true, the miracle has happened and I've declared April 10th a national holiday to worship the majesty that is Barbossa. Donations in mice and mulch are welcomed.

Talulah is shedding which is no surprise since she is getting bigger by the second. Tybalt is giving me some problems with his food, he's reluctant to take the pinkies, even the live ones and I'm starting to think he is just as picky as Barbossa when it comes to eating. I wonder if it's a male thing.

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 42

2011-04-08T20:21:00.003-04:00

I almost got Barbossa to eat a pinkie today. He missed three times because the pinkie is small and his aim has never been the best, but it gives me hope that he is hungry. Hopefully that means that he will take a mouse on Sunday. Send your good vibes his way.

Everyone else was sparkling balls of energy and hunger, hissing and spiting, lunging and rolling. Ok, not really, more like opening their mouths so I can place the mice inside without too much effort on their part, but hey, I have a healthy imagination.

I'm so proud of all of them, not I just have to get Mr. Shyness to eat and I'll be thrilled.

Prison Break

2011-04-04T16:42:00.003-04:00

Coral has disappeared again. Ok, now I'm convinced something's up. I checked her cage and the doors were closed, so she could not have escaped through there. There's some other way she's making it out, I guess I'm going to have to tear the cage apart to look for the defective glass pane. Argh!

Topkapi shed and she looks so much better. The mold whatever she had on her tail is gone, so Neosporin works! Yay! She ate on Friday so she is back to normal.
Barbossa, however, has still not had a single morsel to eat. I don't know what to do anymore. I'm going to keep trying, but if he doesn't eat soon, he's getting fluids. That's it, I've decided.

The Traveller

2011-03-30T14:46:00.003-04:00

My sister found Coral last night!
She came into my room in the middle of the night proclaiming her miraculous find. She'd heard some noises in her room and decided to investigate, and lo and behold, Coral was enjoying a stroll through her floor.
Ok, here's the thing you need to know: sister's room is downstairs. So Coral exited the snake room, trailed down huge wooden stair steps, and managed to cross the family room to get to my sister's room.
All that while avoiding the many other animals that run around the house at one point or another.
It's flabbergasting. I bow down to your cunning and courage, Coral.

Barbossa and the Evil Syringe

2011-03-28T14:58:00.005-04:00

I'm going to make the attempt to feed Barbossa tonight. He still hasn't eaten, which has put me in a mild state of panic. The other day I tried to give him Nutrical, which is a perfect dietary supplement for pretty much any animal,including snakes, and I think he almost died of fright.
I'd diluted it in water so that I could give it to him by syringe instead of forcing it down his throat in one huge chunk.
Yeah...I had more of it on me than I managed to get in Barbossa's stomach. What a mess. My floor is still sticky.

Coral is still a no-show, by the way. I've looked everywhere. She's probably hiding somewhere, laughing as I pass near her a hundred times a day. Evil, evil snake.

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 41

2011-03-25T17:51:00.002-04:00

Super short feeding day today, only two snakes in the morning and Topkapi in a few hours. I was kind of disappointed, I was looking forward to a full day of shenanigans. Oh, well, there's always next week.

Topkapi's tail is looking better, so I guess the Neosporin and Betadine are doing their job. She is also abut to shed, which will help her heal.
Snakes have really incredible abilities, if they're injured they shed their skin to help the wound close, if they have bacteria they do the same thing.
They're amazing, but then again, I already knew that.

2011-03-23T17:46:00.005-04:00

As promised, here are some pictures of Topkapi enjoying my soft, cottony bedspread.
My moniature loch Ness monster.

On the Loose

2011-03-21T15:34:00.003-04:00

It's been a crazy bunch of few days, but all my babies are just fine.
One teeny tiny little thing...Coal has managed to thwart my security efforts and is on the lam.
That's right boys and girls, a snake pried apart my state-of-the-art folded piece of cardboard, which I'd placed in between the sliding glass doors, and has Houdini-ed (ha, I've created a verb) her way out.
I was so happy, it'd been months without an escape, but I guess she was just biding her time. Lulling my defenses before she STRUCK with her clever reptilian mind.

Yes, it's overly dramatic, so what?

In other news, I took some cool pictures of Topkapi this morning which I wanted to post up, but I think I'll devote a whole post to the beauty that is Queen Topkapi. She would not appreciate sharing a page with Coral's craziness.

Moldy Tail

2011-03-17T18:26:00.006-04:00

Tybalt ate last night! Yay!
I am however, a bit concerned about Topkapi. She seems to have some sort of mold growing on her tail. I noticed it a few days ago and I've been maniacally spreading Neosporin and Betadine on her to try to get rid of it. It's not worse, but it's not really better.
I guess I have to give it more than three days to see effects, but I am not known for my patience. No, indeed.

As a pagan, I can't very well go about celebrating a saint's day so...

Happy Green Beer Day!

Picture Day!

2011-03-15T15:16:00.005-04:00

A group picture! Not all my babies are here (especially Coral, since milksnakes actually eat other snakes.

So on the picture, Barbossa on the bottom step, Topkapi on my lap, Damascus doing all kinds of crazy stuff in the back and Odin between my hands. Next time I have to get the other three, so I can have a complete picture to frame up or something.

Atrocities in Sweetwater, Texas

2011-03-11T14:25:00.002-05:00

I am taking the opportunity today to share with you what is happening in Sweetwater, Texas right now.
Today is the horrific Rattlesnake Roundup. I have mentioned them before, but to the ones that don't know about it, here is a brief overview of what happens annually in these barbaric festivals.
Rattlesnakes hibernate in large dens, several hundred of them curled up together to keep safe, and humans take advantage of this camaraderie to hunt them down. These "people" pour gas fuel into the dens to draw the suffocating rattlesnakes out. They catch them and take them to a large convention center, where the party can begin. The snakes are all poured out into one giant pit where they run the risk of injuring each other or dying crushed by the weight of their companions. If they survive, they are taken through the rounds, where they are weighed and measured (what the hell for?), they are displayed, angered, frightened and made to bite containers to extract their venom. They are paraded, always gripped by the back of the head with such violence I wouldn't be surprised if many of them die in the brutal hands of these so-called humans. Finally, their heads are chopped off, they are skinned and then they are put up to hang, like at a butcher shop, for people to order a rattlesnake meal. There are pictures of children who watch as the poor creatures are murdered in front of them, while humans laugh all around.
How these disgusting and savage "celebrations" are allowed to continue is beyond me.

Birthay to the Blog

2011-03-09T16:16:00.002-05:00

Today is my blog's birthday! It's been a year since I began to chronicle the craziness that takes place in my den. It doesn't feel like it's been a year, not at all.
But anyway, I raise a glass to my beautiful snakes, past and present, for the incredible gift of allowing me to take care of them.
Cheers!

Tantrum

2011-03-07T14:51:00.003-05:00

Yesterday afternoon, I saw that Topkapi's much was quite dirty, so I decided to change it. Problem was, I had no much left. Well, paper towels would not be such a bad idea, right? Oh, foolish, foolish human.
It seemed like I'd dipped her body in acid. As soon as I put her down on the QUILTED, very soft, paper towels, she flinched back and began to circle around her cage, hoping for an exit. Even this morning she still looked as uncomfortable as a snake can look.
It's only for today, Topkapi. Tonight I'll bring clean mulch.
I wish she'd get used to it, though, because paper is so much easier to clean. Way more convenient.
Oh, well. Whoever said keeping snakes was easy.

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 40

2011-03-04T17:09:00.002-05:00

Feeding is done! Every one of my babies behaved with reptilian decorum, you could practically see them demurely wiping their lips on engraved silk napkins.
Damascus, however, is shedding so he did a little frightened dance and hid his head beneath his coils.
All in all, a satisfying day.

By the way, I have started another blog in which I'll review books. Since I'm a reviewer at You Gotta Read and Midwestern Book Review, I thought it'd be a good idea to keep things organized. If it is something that interests you, head over to Carabosse's Library

A Prince

2011-03-02T14:38:00.005-05:00

That is Mr. Damascus. He seemed captivated by the camera, well it is bright pink, so it's hard to miss.

He explored all over the table, lifting up the pages if the book I was reading, and just being his adorable self.

A closeup of his majestic profile. And no, I'm not nuts, I happen to think he has a majestic demeanor.

Ode to a Coward

2011-02-27T15:15:00.003-05:00

Barbossa seemed to want to eat today. I put the mouse inside and he struck, twice...and missed, twice. Of course, now he does not want the mouse, and is doing all he can to show me there's NO WAY he's taking it.
I'm hoping he'll try again later, but I'm not holding out too much hope. He's so frustrating! I have the poor mouse in a plastic container so he can't escape.
Good thing I love him so much.

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 39

2011-02-25T11:59:00.002-05:00

It's been such a good feeding day today, everyone ate with gusto.
I have to share how Coral ate though, because it boggles the mind. When I opened her cage she was in her tree, or really, half out of her tree because she doesn't fit anymore. I tried to pull her out but she is ridiculously stubborn, so I took out the whole tree along with her into the feeding container. She took the mouse in that position! I couldn't believe the laziness!
How do they come up with these things?

Oh, by the way, on the right you'll see a badge that will lead you to a petition to stop rattlesnake roundups, so if you could take the time to sign it, I will give you a million dollars. OK, no I won't, but I'll be grateful.

Members of the Hefty Club

2011-02-23T15:49:00.002-05:00

I had these fabulous pictures of Damascus that I wanted to post but I just realized my sister took my camera's memory card. Argh!
Oh well, you'll have to wait another day to see my reptilian movie star. My mom saw him the other day and couldn't believe he was the same snake I used to hold in one hand.

Talulah and Tybal are looking great. She is almost twice his girth, and takes full advantage of it, pushing him away whenever she wants a particular spot in their cage. She's a bit of a bully. I have to separate them when they eat or she'll steal his mouse. Feisty.

Coral has shed and is looking around for food. She'll have to wait until Friday, not a huge deal when she's as fat as she is right now. The other day she tried to curl up inside her tree and she couldn't fit. The embarrassment, Coral!

Baking for Venom One

2011-02-20T16:20:00.002-05:00

It's been a busy bunch of days. I've been doing a lot of writing and typing, so forgive the long silences.
All my babies are doing wonderfully, they all ate this past Friday (except for Barbossa.
Tomorrow I'll be doing something quite interesting. My sister bought me two baking molds, one in the shape of an alligator and the other one of a snake, so I'm going to bake some cookies for the Venom One team. If you don't know who these people are, my Gods you are missing out! They are the division of the fire department that will come to your rescue if you get bitten by a venomous snake. They fly to anywhere in the country, toting antivenin, ready to see you through the horrible experience.
Apart from that, I've also adopted two of my snakes from Lisa, a member of the unit. She gave me CocoRosie, my darling, and Coral, my lightning bolt.
So, yes, I'll be sending them some yummy cute stuff to eat. I have to remember to double or triple the recipes I use. They are fire-fighters, after all.

Topkapi the Vampire Slayer

2011-02-17T20:18:00.003-05:00

I just finished holding Odin. He looks huge. Every time I see him, he's grown a few centimeters. He is calmer, but I still have to be careful when I go to grab him or he starts hissing and lunging in fear. I'm sure he'll grown out of this when he gets older. Just look at Topkapi, she was a little ball of fangs when she was little and now you could do cartwheels around her without disturbing her.
Speaking of Topkapi, today she was on the couch with me and I am convinced she could actually see what was going on in the screen. We were watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the last two episodes of season two, which for any Buffy fans are MAJOR episodes. So I Topkapi was caught up in the drama that is Buffy and Angel.
You had to see her, her little head lifted in attention, flicking her tongue occasionally at the movement before us. Adorable.

Powers

2011-02-15T15:19:00.002-05:00

So we're back to square one with Barbossa. Well, maybe not quite square one because he did eat last week, but still. I don't know what he expects me to do, call the winter away and make it nice and balmy so he can walk outside? I do not have those powers Barbossa!

Coral is shedding so she is looking mighty scruffy. She's still laying by the door waiting for someone to forget there's a wee snake in there, but that's not going to happen. And even if she does manage to get out I know her secret hiding place. Mwahahahaha.
Pathetic, huh?

I am baking some yummy stuff, spice muffins, so if you are interested in getting the recipe, hop on over to Carabosse's Bakeshop, link on the right.

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 38

2011-02-11T19:00:00.002-05:00

Coral is shedding yet again. You know what that means, she's eating a lot! I think I'm going to have to put her on a bit of a diet, for a few weeks at least so that she doesn't run the risk of exploding.
Topkapi just finished eating. She gave me such a smack when she struck, my hand actually jerked back. She's getting so strong.

Odin is eating beautifully, as is Talulah. All I have to worry about is Barbossa on Sunday. Since it's turned cooler and I've not been able to take him out walking, who knows.

Missions

2011-02-09T12:47:00.004-05:00

Coral has been giving me evil looks recently. She paces and gazes (rhyme!) around her door, seeing if there's any possible way she might escape. For now, I think I have her thwarted, although give her some more days and she'll probably pull a Mission Impossible. She's probably been watching the movies to get ideas.
Can you imagine, a snake watching TV, remote gripped between coils? Too cute.

I just came back from a lesson and I am tired tired tired. I'm debating whether to bake today or do leave it until tomorrow. By the way, I've been putting all my recipes with pictures in the link on the right: Carabosse's Bakeshop. Stop by and see the yumminess.

Blackmail

2011-02-07T11:38:00.002-05:00

Barbossa ate yesterday!
You know, I've come to the realization that snakes are smarter than they appear. Point on case: for weeks I've not been able to take Barbossa outside because it's been too cold for him. So, foolish little me, I thought that taking him out to roam the upstairs hallway was a good substitute. Stupid, stupid human. To snap me back into action, my shy baby decides to go on a hunger strike. I, of course, begin to freak out and obsess about everything around him. Nothing is amiss...until I realize I haven't taken him outside in weeks. That's when it hits me, and, thanks to the obliging weather, I have granted him his wish.
And just like that, he's back to eating.
Incredible.

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 37

2011-02-04T11:51:00.003-05:00

Yeah, so the experiment with Barbossa was a huge failure, as you could probably had predicted. He looked at the pinkie as if aliens had landed and he was seconds from being abducted by the hairless creature before him.
Then Tybalt didn't want it either so I gave it to the ever-hungry Talulah. *sigh*

At least everyone that was supposed to eat today gave me no trouble. I guess they leave notes for each other like "hey, take it easy on the human today, I nearly drove her mad two days ago", that kind of thing. Except, of course, on those days when they band together and decide to throw a collective hissy fit.
Whenever someone says snakes are easy pets, I have the urge to slapped him or her with a frying pan.

Reluctant Reptile

2011-02-02T12:15:00.003-05:00

I am going to attempt something crazy with Barbossa tonight. My sister was mandated to get two live pinkies instead of just one and I will try to tempt reluctant reptile to eat. He can't possibly be afraid of a pinkie, right? Stay tuned and find out.

We might be acquiring a gecko that has gout. He needs a home and people who will give him his medication (which he has to take for the rest of his life). I have no problem with taking care of him, on the contrary, but I asked my sister to make sure he is stable and that he eats regularly, because I don not want a tragedy on my hands. not after Maat. So we'll see. My mom has seen it and she says he is adorable.

Barbossa's Tantrum

2011-01-31T15:48:00.004-05:00

Barbossa is refusing to eat. He has finished shedding and he should be hungry but nope, nothing doing.
I got him two mice yesterday, naively hoping he'd get over whatever it is that is bothering him, but he coiled back in horror at what I'd placed in front of his eyes. I tried again today and the same thing. What's wrong, Barbossa? Is it that I'm not walking you outside as much as you like? But it's cold, and you'll get sick if I take you for a stroll, or slither, around the pool. You'd be a boa popsicle. I'm sorry you don't like winter, if there was a way for me to make the days hot and humid the way you like them, I would, but I do not possess that skill. Please eat. Please, please, please, please, please, please eat.
Don't make me worry like that.

In other news, I went to see Black Swan on Saturday, and oh, wow. It is one of the best, most gorgeous films I've seen in a long while. Some of the imagery really stays with you. If you get a chance, go see it.

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 36

2011-01-28T21:27:00.003-05:00

Finally! I've been trying to log in the whole day but my Internet connection was a bit psychotic today.
OK, well, everyone ate today. I'm so happy, they are all curled up and enjoying their full bellies. I actually thought I was going to have to endure a lot of reptilian attitude because I changed every one's mulch yesterday and that always provokes hissy fits. Coral wanted to strangle me when she took one whiff of the clean, unscented fir chips. Sorry Coral, but I needed to clean your cage.
Topkapi was not happy either but she has grown used to my shuffling her substrate around.
Talulah has shed and she was starving today. A little, poor, orphan snake who hasn't eaten in, oh, I don't know, just one week! You are not going to collapse of malnutrition, Talulah. I'm sorry I did not have a mouse waiting the minute you finished shedding, jeez.
These snakes.

Sense of Security

2011-01-25T13:31:00.003-05:00

Everyone is in his or her cage. I think it's been 5 days since the last escape. I think we have improvement, don't you?

Barbossa is still mid-shed so he is hiding underneath his towel. Did I mention it's a Little Mermaid towel? Every time I see him, his serious-looking head peeking out from underneath Ariel's red hair, I have a giggling fit. He's probably not amused, but it was the only towel I had on hand.
Talulah is also not done shedding, but she should look all beautiful in a couple of days.
Not much going on, really, which I'm not to comfortable with. I'm used to being on my toes, chasing after one or another tail slinking into inconvenient places.
We'll see what my babies are planning.

Sunny Morning

2011-01-23T12:07:00.005-05:00

I found Coral! Yay! She was curled up in the lining of my laptop leather bag. She actually made a hole in the leather, don't ask me how, and she was hiding away laughing as I searched the room. She is back in her cage and she ate with gusto on Friday. I now have a cardboard piece folded into the sliding door so she can't move it anymore. I'm sure she'll figure out a way, but for now I have bested her.
Sad, isn't it?

That is Topkapi enjoying a Sunday morning on my bed. Paper? Coffee? Anything you require, Topkapi? I know, a mimosa!

"Will you just put the camera away and let me sleep!"

Okay, okay.

Responsibilities

2011-01-19T15:08:00.004-05:00

My sister came yesterday with the news that one of the snakes at the center where she works is starving. STARVING. In captivity. It boggles my mind how something like this can happen. Well, maybe not so much because I know who runs the reptile division. The young man (I won't name names although I should) has said many times, and I quote "I hate reptiles". And yet, no one fires him, no one asks him for his feeding schedules, which is good for him because he doesn't keep any, no one does anything. Two snakes have already died in his care. How many more of them does it require for his supervisors to take charge of the situation?
My sister comes day after day, week after week telling me "well, he left without feeding them today" and I seethe at the words. I get stomach-aches of guilt if I am one day late in feeding my babies. We are keeping them in cages with the hope that we can give them safer lives, we trade freedom for steady meals. I just...I don't understand the mistreatment. If you don't care one iota for the poor creatures, then quit.
I told my sister that if they want, I can take care of the starving snake for a few weeks until she is back to the right weight, but I doubt they'll allow that. I have a freezer full of mice and patience by the bucket-full to coax her back into eating.

*whoo* Deep breath.

My precious ones are all doing beautifully (except for Ms. Coral who remains MIA). Topkapi has shed and looks like a movie star, Catherine Zeta-Jones style, while Barbossa is still mid-way through the process.
I took Damascus out yesterday and he is looking so chunky. Beautiful. I just want to snuggle against him, but he pulls back in disgust, a "human, away!" look in his eye.
Oh, well I must manage with my unrequited love.

Ninja Snake

2011-01-17T12:25:00.004-05:00

No, I have not found Coral. That's just a picture of her I took the day before she so mysteriously said "screw this I'm going to Hogwarts" and disappeared. Where the hell is she? I've searched everywhere. Well, not everywhere, but some places seem highly unlikely to contain a snake. For example: the oven, the freezer, the top of the bookshelf, the toilet's water tank. Although with Coral who knows? She could very well be on top of the bookcase waiting for the perfect opportunity to spring down and scare me to death. If I suddenly stop writing, that's probably what happened.

Isn't she gorgeously evil looking?

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 35

2011-01-14T12:22:00.003-05:00

What is going on with my snakes? It seems like everyday I find another one out of his or her cage! Am I not taking care of you as well as you'd like? Am I being inattentive, mean, cruel, am I starving you? Please guys and gals stay put!
Today it is Coral. I came into the library/snake room and found one of her doors slightly open, with a groan I looked. Of course, she was gone. She had finished shedding and decided it was time to take a trip, an adventure awaited. Yes, well, Coral, now you're running around without water and making me worry about the temperatures at night...Argh!
One of these days they are all going to get together and make an exodus out the front door. I'll walk in the next morning and see empty cages and Barbossa cowering in the corner, shell-shocked and remorseful. It could happen.
My angel Damascus ate. Odin did not seem too happy. I changed his cage for another tank and I think he is mad at me because he refused the pinky I offered him.

The juggling of seven ophidian relationships is taking its toll on me. Poor me.

Stressed Human

2011-01-12T12:22:00.002-05:00

Barbossa is driving me bonkers! He doesn't want to eat! Argh!
I don't know of for some reason he decided it's time to hibernate, although he's never done it before. I don't know, why does he have to worry me like this?
Plus, I'm trying to take him out less because I don't want him to waste calories but he looks at me with reproach and starts pacing his cage in a show of excruciating boredom. I'm hoping maybe he's about to shed or something and I haven't noticed yer. Let's hope so.
I'm also sending a prayer for Tybalt to eat tonight. Since he just finished shedding, there's a very good chance he is starving, so we'll see.
As I always say, these snakes will lead me to drink.

Poker Face

2011-01-10T13:29:00.003-05:00

It is so gloomy outside I had to muster up energy to type this up. Isn't it incredible how much effect weather has on our systems?
My snakes seem fine, though, depressing weather or not.
Tybalt shed last night and he is looking peckish, unfortunately I won't be able to get him food until Wednesday, so I'm going to see that little head darting up every time I come in the room.
Coral is almost ready to shed and is looking grumpy. I know she is all bluff, but she is a GOOD bluffer. She'd win poker tournaments in a jiffy. I want to take some more pictures of her so maybe in a day or two when she is more herself again I'll attempt a photo shoot. She is a trying model.

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 34

2011-01-07T11:26:00.002-05:00

Odin ate and Damascus ate. That was all for today since everyone else is in the midst of a shed.
I have to share something that happened the other day with Barbossa. It was a day or two after I'd done the cleaning in the snake room, and in the spirit of updating things I gave Barbossa a much bigger water bowl. OK, it's more of an unused glass casserole pan, but he doesn't know that. I thought it'd be great for him to lay in since he appears to be entranced by water. The only problem is that it's too big to allow room for the basket he also has in his cage. I decided to try it out and see how it went.
Well, it went badly. Barbossa loved the bowl but I saw him start pacing his cage. Yesterday I saw him looking up, longing in his eyes. I knew I'd screwed up and he missed his hiding place. But how to give him another one and keep the bowl he likes?
I put an old soft towel in there and hoped for the best. Apparently, he likes it. He's been hiding under it for the past day. Whew!

Shedding

2011-01-05T17:14:00.002-05:00

Just wanted to share what Miss Topkapi looks like when she is shedding. You can see her blue eyes clearly, and that gray sheen on her scales.
She's still active, though, I guess she really trusts me to catch her if she falls.

New Year Cleaning

2011-01-04T15:08:00.003-05:00

It's already been a long week and it's only Tuesday.
Yesterday I spent the day cleaning the library/snake room after I found some fleas in there. Fleas don't do anything to snakes except annoy them, but since my babies are extra picky when it comes to their environment, I felt guilty enough to take it upon myself to clean.
I moved all the tanks to my parent's room and you had to see the faces on some of the snakes. Looking at me as if I had lost my mind. Barbossa u=just cringed in a corner. But at least now they are more comfortable, I hope.
I was supposed to have a lesson today but my teacher called to cancel because he is sick. I have all this time on my hands and I am bored. Are you bored?

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 33

2010-12-31T12:27:00.002-05:00

Today's feeding was over in about five minutes. Odin was the lucky boy who got two pinkies because Coral is shedding.
You might well wonder why Coral would be eating a pinkie, well let me share. Since she's been so finicky with her food lately, that the only way I've convinced her to take her frozen/thawed mice is to first entice her with a pinkie. It works like a charm. But today she was dull colored and blue-eyed. She has gotten so much better, I can pick her up without her squirming at all. I'm pressed at her trust level.
Damascus ate without problem and Talulah did not eat because she had two live pinkies on Wednesday. My sister brought them for Tybalt but he was also shedding. They really should leave me notes so I can plan ahead. I'll start leaving them pen and paper nearby and see how that goes.

Beauty Kings and Queens

2010-12-30T18:56:00.005-05:00

That's a fer-de-lance, most certainly not one of my babies, but one I saw today when I went to the Miami Zoo.
Today is my mom's birthday so we decided to spend the day roaming the large and beautiful zoo we have. I think it's the only worthwhile thing Miami has to offer. There are so many animals, so well kept, that it's something to really be proud of in this city.

That one is a bushmaster, the longest viper in the world. I think he or she is gorgeous.

And that's an eyelash viper. They are called so because of the protruding scale above the eye. They have many colorations, but I think my favorite is this bright yellow. It's incredible.

By the way, another of my poems is up, you can find it here: http://berg-gasse19.com/2010/12/29/guilty-conscience/

Pirates and Oranges

2010-12-28T13:40:00.003-05:00

That is my escape artist, Damascus. He's looking so much bigger!
He decided he wanted to see what the oranges were, that nifty citrus scent was just too much temptation. He also discovered those figurines my mom gave my sister as a stocking stuffer. Aren't they adorable? She got a set of pirate figures and I got an Egyptian set. Mighty cool, and very detailed. I know, we are grown-ass women but something cute is something cute.
I took Barbossa out this morning and he almost got stuck under the bathroom door. I seriously thought I was going to have to unhinge the screws and bring the door down. I was freaking out, he was freaking out, the whole thing was a bit of a nightmare but I finally managed to slip the largest coil under the door and he slithered free. He then curled up and refused to move anymore. I don't blame him, we had enough fun for one morning.

Gift

2010-12-26T15:35:00.005-05:00

Barbossa ate today! Yay! His holiday gift to me and I couldn't have asked for a better one.
Every one is doing wonderfully and all my babies ate except for Tybalt because the man who brings the live pinkies to the wildlife center did not come. He's sick or something, and I guess the world ends when he feels unwell. Don't the snakes in the center have to eat, also?
Human selfishness is unbelievable.

I got a new camera as a gift, so you'll be seeing tons of new pictures. My camera and I are practically attached at the hip.
Oh, I also had some more poems accepted in another literary magazine called Berg Gasse 19. They'll appear soon, so I'll post up the link when they're available.

Happy Holidays

2010-12-24T16:07:00.003-05:00

Topkapi wishes you a happy day, from her den to yours!

Winter Celebration

2010-12-23T20:11:00.006-05:00

Everyone have a happy evening tomorrow, whether you're like me, a little pagan melting in the Miami heat, or if you are Christian celebrating the birth of your Savior. Eat good food and try not to get into fights with your relatives.
Put a little food out for any animals you see hanging around in the cold and wish them a happy night.

Table-top Musings

2010-12-22T16:44:00.005-05:00

I felt it was time to have some more pictures of Topkapi. It's been a while and Her Majesty has been complaining, or she would if she could speak.
I was preparing coffee so I placed her on the kitchen table because trying to make the coffee machine function while I hold her is asking for trouble.
She proceeded to melt me with her cuteness.

Don't you just want to plant a kiss on her nose? Maybe it's just me, then.

Houdini

2010-12-20T15:24:00.002-05:00

I found Damascus last night! Yay!
I am so relieved I can't even describe it. He was still in the library/snake room, I think he'd been sleeping in one of the drawers, curled up tight, and as the cool weather petered off he decided it was time to come out. He drank tons of water and is now safely back in his warm home.
I'm going to be feeding him today, I already have the mouse defrosting.
That's all for today, just wanted to share the good news.

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 32

2010-12-17T12:07:00.003-05:00

I think Coral is getting used to the whole live mouse thing. She now scoffs at my poor offerings, laughs in my face as I beg her to please try the frozen/thawed mouse. Mwhahahaha.
Probably too dramatic, but I can assure you that's what it feels like when she flicks her tongue over the food and violently turns her head in another direction. I'll let her go hungry this week and see if she can get back on the prekilled mice.

Odin ate spectacularly as always as did Talulah. Tybalt did not eat on Wednesday because my sister could not get a pinkie, poor baby.
Topkapi will eat tonight.

Today was a really quick feeding day.

Oh, I've had another poem published so if you're interested here is the website to get a copy: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/33481

Movie Star

2010-12-15T19:09:00.004-05:00

Just wanted to share Odin in his full splendor. He shed last night so it felt only proper to brag about his beauty. He is also much tamer than when I first got him; now he only tries to chew off one finger, not the whole hand. No, I kid, he is becoming a very sweet animal. Pretty much like any snake, or any animal in general, all he needed was attention and gentle care. He doesn't even hiss anymore when I place my hand inside his cage.
Aren't his patterns absolutely gorgeous? I can't get enough of him.

A close up. He could be a movie star, the camera loves him.
Ok, maybe he won't upstage Brad Pitt, but Johnny Depp? In a pinch.

Bloody Freezing!

2010-12-14T12:16:00.003-05:00

It is freezing outside! I love it, but I can't help but think about all the poor reptiles out there freezing. Last year there were a huge number of them dying because of the suddenly cold weather. Poor babies. My home is open if any of you want to slither or crawl here.

Barbossa refused food on Sunday yet again. It's probably the cold, but he's making me a little worried. Two years ago he had a hunger strike and he didn't eat for about three months, but hopefully this is not a repeat. For now, I'll take him out to move around a bit less so I don't waste his energy sources.

Damascus is still not back. He's probably curled up inside a shoe or something (even though I've checked and rechecked) waiting the cold spell out. He's hibernating while I ransack the house and think of hiring a rescue squad.
Mean snake.

Cold Days

2010-12-11T16:49:00.003-05:00

That is Barbossa's way of telling me it's too cold. I put him on my bed while I read and after he finally decided to move he headed straight for the covers. Fine with me.

Yesterday I had a lesson so I felt too lazy to write about every eating. Odin ate even though he has blue eyes, he's incredible.
Coral did not want hers so Topkapi got it and ate it with no problem. Talulah ate the pinkie Tybalt did not want on Wednesday so it was a pretty quick feeding day.

I forgot to tell you that another poems was published in a literary magazine. This poem is called "Of a Morning in Hell" and you can find it here http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/blinking-cursor-issue-4---winter-2010/14248491
if any of you are interested.

Photo Op

2010-12-08T15:11:00.007-05:00

I just wanted to share some pictures I took of Talulah and Tybalt last night. They have grown so much! I just adore them.
You can see Talulah (she's the white and brown one) flicking out her tongue. You can also see the book I'm currently reading, The Stand by Stephen King.

And another one. Can you stop showing your tongue to the world, Talulah? It's not very lady-like.

And that's a close up of Miss Talulah, which meant I was sitting on the floor and staring at her through a lens placed very close to her face. She did not seem in the least perturbed.
I tried to get a close up of Tybalt but he wouldn't stay still.

Another one, a bit blurred. That's my hand on the left. I can almost hear you, "well, who else's hand would it be?"

Stubborn Snakes

2010-12-07T12:28:00.004-05:00

I hope my baby is alright. It was really cold last night and I couldn't get the picture of him huddling in some shoe somewhere out of my head. My poor Damascus.
OK, so Barbossa is officially throwing a tantrum. He refused the two mice I got him on Sunday, still brushing his nose against the glass, showing me where the last mouse bit him. Barbossa, there's nothing there! If I had seen blood or even the tiniest cut, do you think I would have left you to languish in pain? No, I would have put Neosporin on the wound and coddled you even more than I usually do, but there's nothing there! You are fine! Please eat this Sunday.
And I actually killed one of the two mice. It's not pretty and I'm not proud of it but I did it in the attempt to get Barbossa to eat. I thought if it wasn't moving around but still smelled fresh, maybe he'd take it. So I killed it, I won't go into details because I don't want to write it and I'm sure you don't want to read it, but still he wanted nothing to do with it.
I offered it to Coral...nothing. I offered it to Topkapi, but since the scent of other snakes was already on it, my snake queen turned her head away in disgust. It's incredible, a room full of adult snakes and not one of them deigned to take a perfectly good mouse! Argh!

Harry Potter and the Missing Snake

2010-12-05T12:21:00.002-05:00

No Damascus yet. I've been keeping the nightlight on so he can make his way to it during the night hours, but so far, zilch.
My dad is in a bit of a panic, afraid to find a snake under every tea cup and sofa cushion, regardless of my numerous comments on Damascus's fabulous personality.
I hope I find him soon.
I will attempt to feed Barbossa today. Hopefully the trauma of being bitten on the nose by the last mouse I offered has worn down enough for him to consider striking. Barbossa, seriously, you're a huge predator!
I have Topkapi on my keyboard right now, so any weird spelling things are purely her fault.

Yesterday I set off to the library after my French class and then to the mall to do a bit of shopping and watch the new Harry Potter. Of course, there was a showing that had started about two minutes before I bought the tickets and the following one would be almost three hours later. I got in line to buy the ticket for the one that had just started. I hate going into a movie after it already began, but it had really only been five minutes, and we usually spend at least ten in previews. So I got in line. There were only three groups of people in front of me, waiting to buy tickets. Not bad, I'd seen worse. But, of course, the mother and two kids in front of me had about a million coupons and promotion codes to try to get the lost price on their tickets. I am not lying, I spent fifteen minutes waiting for them to be done. When I say the fifteen minutes turning to sixteen I said, you know what, forget it, I'll come back another time. Why do these things always seem to happen? It's like something out of a cliched sitcom!

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 31

2010-12-03T11:33:00.005-05:00

Damascus is magical. I'm convinced.
It's the only way he could have made it outof his cage yet AGAIN! HOw does he do it? I have so many books, huge, fat textbooks, piled one on top of the other, I don't know how he can lift them. When I find him again, I have no clue what I'm going to do with him!

Other than that, everyone has been in a jolly mood, eating without issue. Odin is the quickest snake when he eats, and Talulah is a ball of sunshine. You can practically see the smile on her face when it's food time.
Coral ate on Tuesday a leftover mouse, and Tybalt ate Wednesday night his pinkies. Actually two.

Where the hell is Damascus?!And why does he do this to me every time the weather gets cooler?
I know why, so I can worry even more. Mean snake.

Quakes and Shakes

2010-12-01T12:16:00.004-05:00

I've had a couple stressful days with Barbossa. On Monday, my parents got him three mice on the way back from work. They were three perfectly good, honest mice. But one of them decided it did not want to be pinned down while Barbossa took his time sniffing it, and it bit him on the nose. There was no blood, no gashing wound visible, but Barbossa was having non of it. He swung his head back, think soap-opera melodrama, and refused to even look at the mouse. Or any of the other mice. When I offered him any he would turn around and flee (well, slither quickly) in the opposite direction. I put the mice away in a plastic container with holes, gave them some food and water, and kept them to try again yesterday.
Well, apparently the humiliation and the pain was just too great, because Barbossa was still in a trembly quake. I tried a few more times unsuccessfully and then released two of the mice, keeping the third one for Coral, which she gladly ate.
Oy vey.

In other news, an online magazine has published two of my poems so if you are at all interested please head over to http://www.exercisebowler.site90.net/Issue3.htm, scroll down to the bottom, and the last two poems, "The territories" and "Trojan Horse", are mine.

Hunger

2010-11-29T15:54:00.002-05:00

Barbossa finished shedding today so he gets his three mice when my parents come back from work. When I opened his cage to give him water this morning, he raise his head in expectation. Sorry Barbossa, but later, I promise.
Yesterday Topkapi scared me half to death. I brought her out and gave her water, as per usual, and then I handed her over to my sister so I could put some dishes away. My sister wrapped her Topkapi around her neck, which I don't do but why not? A few minutes later, I turn my head and I see my snake baby drooling, long lines of drool. I've seen them do it before, but only when they have the scent of mice close to them. They salivate just like we do.
I freaked a bit, took hold of her and checked her, but she seemed fine. My mom pointed out that my sister had been eating a piece of cold meat and maybe Topkapi had caught a whiff of it and decided she might like to have a taste. I don't know, I guess it could be, but I'm still a little on edge. She didn't do it this morning, though, which is good.

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 30

2010-11-26T18:08:00.004-05:00

I am a ball of happy right now. Everyone has eaten and is curled up in their cages.
Talulah gave me a little bit of trouble this morning, she couldn't make up her mind if she wanted the pinkie. She struck once and then said, you know what, no, and she refused the mouse. I left her alone for a few minutes and then tried again. This time she took it without issue. Who knows what was going on in her head.

Topkapi just finished eating, gave a big yawn, and curled right back up to sleep. Talk about an easy life. Well, I don't really know, maybe she has pressing business tomorrow morning and needs to get to sleep early. I doubt it, but you never know.

Tomorrow I have no French class because of Thanksgiving, so I get to stay home in my pajamas all day. By the way, if you want to see some of the items that I baked for last night's dinner, click on the link on the right with the name Carabosse's Bakeshop, it'll take you to my baking blog.

Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T14:27:00.004-05:00

Happy Turkey Day!

Hope your bird is in the oven already or you'll be eating at midnight. Mine is already cozied in there, baking away in its sauce.
Yesterday I baked and baked until I thought my hands would always smell like butter, but I am done with that now, desserts at the ready for tonight.

Yesterday I wasn't able to take too many snakes out because of said afternoon chores, but I made it up to Topkapi today by letting her sit with me for about an hour and a half this morning.
Barbossa is still shedding, so he wants nothing to do with the outside world, but I wish you could see Coral. Sparkling and new.

Something amusing happened yesterday morning. I was sitting at the kitchen table when I saw Vinicius chase something across the room. It was a little bird, probably a sparrow. The door was open so the bird flew right out. A few minutes later, I see him inching his way up the door step and into the house. He explored everything, he walked on the floor, stood on the arms of the hatstand, flew to the kitchen. He thought he owned the house. Too cute.

Woe is Me

2010-11-22T11:37:00.002-05:00

It appears I have caught a cold. I guess I had it coming after spending 3 FREEZING nights in a tent recently. Oh, well, nothing to do but grin and bear it.

Barbossa is shedding once again, which is incredible. I guess he is eating enough now to be growing every month. So of course he got no mice yesterday, and he's laying very still waiting for his blue eyes to fade.

None of them seem too concerned with my illness. Topkapi looked at me today when I brought her out with a face of disdain "oh, you're sick again. Ugh."
Sorry guys. I'll try my best to get better in the next few days so I don't offend you with my Vick's-vapor-rub-smelling self. I didn't do it on purpose!

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 29

2010-11-19T17:06:00.003-05:00

So we are back from the bookfair! My sister and I alre exhausted but full of reading goodies. Honestly I have no idea where I'm going to put all these books. I think the only free place would be under my bed. We'll see.

I fed everyone although I am exhausted because I felt guilty in making them wait. Talulah finally finished shedding and she was starving. I had barely put the mouse in front of her when she pounced in her best imitation of a viscious snake. You're not fooling anyone, Talulah.
Odin continues eating beautifully as does Damascus.
I just have Topkapi to feed in about an hour and I am done!

Gravity Defying Snake...Not

2010-11-18T17:46:00.004-05:00

I am sitting on the floor in the upstairs hallway, the laptop balanced precariously on my lap, while I watch Barbosa try to climb the wall. That's not a metaphor for anything, he very literally is trying to climb the walls. Who knows why. He's not having too much success at it, not surprisingly, since he weighs more than say, an ant or a spider. It's not going to happen, shy one.

So tomorrow my sister and I are going to the book fair. It takes place annually here in Miami and it is fabulous! Tons of authors come to speak and you can find great deals on used books. I am giddy with excitement! It lasts until Sunday and I am planning on going all three days. On Sunday I'm going to listen to Lev Grossman talk about his book "The Magicians". I hated it, but I rad it as part of my book club and we all have a question or two as to why it was so bad. I won't actually word it that way because I don't want to be thrown out of the event for injuring the author's pride. We'll see what he says.

Sniffing Roses

2010-11-16T17:08:00.004-05:00

Yesterday was my birthday. Yay I am now 25. OK, that's done. The enthusiasm is overwhelming isn't it?

My mom and dad got me a bouquet of roses when they came back from work yesterday, and this morning of course I had to show it to Queen Topkapi. She was not too thrilled about the scent, but I was able to catch her sniffing them.
At least now I know, if I ever want to get her a gift, flowers are not the way to go.
Maybe chocolate covered mice...

Damascus has remained in his cage, surprisingly enough. I half expect him to be gone every morning, although it would take a very strong snake to lift the top of his cage with all the stuff I have piled on it. Still, that's what I thought last time. Only time will tell.

Stop that Train!

2010-11-14T11:44:00.003-05:00

Everyone has been doing great for the past few days. All my babies have been at their very best behavior. I wonder what they're planning.

Yesterday, after my French class, I went to the movies to see "Unstoppable". I didn't particularly NEED to see it, but since there was nothing else playing that I'd prefer, I shrugged my shoulders and bought the ticket.
I'm really glad I did. The movie was really cool. I was not bored for a single moment, which is pretty good considering some of the more recent stuff that's been in theaters lately. The acting was good, Denzel Washington was quite funny and endearing, and the whole runaway train thing was pretty frightening.
I don't want to give too much away, but at one point when some cops are trying to bring the train to a stop by shooting at an emergency stop button on the side of one of the carts, one of the characters says that they can't really do that too much because the button is right next to the fuel tank. One guy sitting a few rows ahead of me burst into laughter, which prompted the rest of us to do the same. It was quite an interesting moment. We weren't making fun of the movie, we were making fun of the stupidity of the human race in general. Really, and emergency power button next to the oil tank? Only humans.

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 28

2010-11-12T13:13:00.006-05:00

Today was a short feeding day. Talulah is still shedding so no food for her. I gave her pinkie to miss Coral, who had absolutely no qualms in taking it. She actually ate wrapped around my hand again. She really feels no intimidation in having me hold her as she swallows.
Yesterday, my sister sent the woman who used to own Coral a picture of her. She texted back saying how wonderful she looked and how much she's grown. I haven't noticed the change because it's so gradual, but it's good to hear.

Damascus ate yesterday and Odin was his crazy little eating-machine self.
Tonight Topkapi will get hers and that't it for today.

Queen Topkapi int the picture of course, enjoying a patch of sunlight. I think she was actually posing. Her profile is so pretty, isn't it?
I'm such a geek.

A close up

Red Lights

2010-11-11T13:21:00.003-05:00

Since the weather here has been a little chilly, I've left two red lights burning at night in the snake room. This does not bother them and it provides warmth. It makes the room look a bit like a brothel, but whatever.
Last night, I went into the darkened room to get something and I see Damascus, by the glare of the red light, attempting another prison break.
What the hell is so horrible about the cage you're in, Damascus? Is it me, do you no longer find our relationship fulfilling?
I went to check on him half an hour later and he had retreated into his hiding place to sulk. For now, at least, he resigned himself to his situation.

I also fed him today because he was acting like he was starving. That's what he gets for missing the last meal. He ate with no problem, as usual.

I'm so glad he is back.

Hulkiness

2010-11-10T13:23:00.002-05:00

I didn't write that Damascus had gotten lost once again.
When I came back from the festival, I went to feed all my babies...and Damascus was not in his cage.
To me, it was unbelievable. He had I don't know how many textbooks on top of his cage. How could he have made it out!? I have come to the decision that he has magical powers. There. I've said it.
Houdini could have learned a thing or two from my baby.
Anyway, I found him last night, sleeping right next to his cage. What is the point of pulling such a feat and then coming back to the same place you just escaped?
Oh, Damascus.

Now he has 4 textbooks and one HUGE round cutting board on top of his cage. If he makes it out again, I need to get a TV crew here because I have the Hulk living in my house.

Pagan Madness Samhain!

2010-11-08T14:49:00.003-05:00

I am back! And in one piece!

Ok, was anyone aware that we were going to have cataclysmic cold this weekend? I knew it was going to be cold, but not THAT cold.
Mainly it was the wind. At one point I was reading in my tent when one of the walls started closing in on me. It was bending under the gales! I had to push it back and hold it. Thrilling moments, let me tell you. I didn't put my book down though, if the tent broke I'd deal with it when I finished the chapter.

The first night I attended the opening ritual, which was moved indoors because of the rain and bitter cold, and then afterwards I went to the meet and greet. This year, the celebration was about The Hunt, which is a Celtic, pagan idea. So for the meet and greet we had to dress up as animals. Give you three guesses what I went as.

For those of you who are on the slow side, I went as a snake. Duh.
It was cool, I used a pair of fishnet stockings to make the scales. I put it over my face and applied foundation and powder over it, then peeled it off and voila I'm a snake.

I tented in the same place as last time and really, I still think it's the best spot. The ants were not horrible, although there were pretty scary looking spiders. Think Harry Potter big running around. I tried not to shriek too much when I would feel one on me.

The main ritual was again a bit disappointing. I don't know what's going on with that group, but they just don't seem to get the rituals on a good level. There's no energy, no buzz to it.
At one point, they wanted to pass out candles to everyone, to burn for the loved ones who are no longer with us. The idea is great, cliched to death (no pun intended) but the image of lots of lit candles is always pretty.
But you have to be realistic when you plan these thinks. So: we had around 800 people standing around in the bitter, bitter cold, each one getting a candle passed to them, then having to line up to get it lit, then having to KEEP the candle lit in the raging winds. None of this is a good idea. In theory, nice; in practice, I was considering throwing the candle at someone so at least we would have a fire to cozy up to. It was miserably cold.

All in all, it was great, as always. I just can't get enough of camping and the pagan community is so nice and easy going. I met some interesting people and saw some people I already knew. It's a nice community feeling. Looking forward to going again.

Chaotic Adventure

2010-11-03T11:23:00.005-04:00

That's my camping luggage, as I call them, packed full of carefully selected items that will last me until Sunday afternoon. I am soooo excited!

So this morning my sister and I had an interesting few minutes. The pool guy came and cleaned the pool and obviously thought that closing the backyard gate was too much trouble. I let Chaos and Dublin out, my Rottweiler and Basset Hound. Can you see where this is going?
Dublin s scared of the rain, and it was pouring this morning, so he stayed inside, but Chaos decided it was time to explore.
I went about my morning tasks until I realized, hey I don't have a black nose sticking itself everywhere I go. I looked everywhere, but of course he was gone.
My sister and I set out in different directions through our neighborhood, to see where the hell he was. Fortunately, after walking a block I caught sight of him. I called his name, but he looked terrified, he didn't recognize me until I got a few feet in front of him. He was soaked to the bone and very frightened. He had been hanging out on someone's driveway, hoping it was his house.
Let me show you what he looks like:

Now picture him wet and scared. He looked truly miserable.
He was so happy to see me and our house. It's incredible to me that he was only a block away and had no clue where he was. He could have been in Timbuktu. I was and am quite relieved. From now on, I'm going to have to check the gate every time the pool guy comes. I know it was raining, but buddy, come one, it's not acid, take two seconds and close the door!

Mounting Excitement

2010-11-02T12:43:00.005-04:00

Only a few more days until I go camping! I'm going again to the Florida Pagan Gathering up in Altoona. I leave Thursday and will not be back until Sunday. It is going to be so much fun and there are going to be some interesting workshops that I'm looking forward to attending.
I didn't see any bears last time I went, but I have not given up hope. I just rather not see one as it tears through my tent in the middle of the night. I guess I should be more careful what I wish for.

No that's not Topkapi, that's Damascus. Isn't it incredible how much he's grown? Last night I wanted to make him a new hiding place, so i chose a carboard box that was holing some flavored tea bags. My mom helped me and we got it all set, it was cozy and dark for him. Then, we tried to put him inside...and he didn't fit. Astounding. So we had to make him another hideout, this time out of a pasta box.
Big box for a big snake.

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-31T11:57:00.003-04:00

Today's the day when ghosts and ghouls come out to play. I hope you have enough candy stocked up!
Today is my favorite day of the year. There's just something about Halloween that makes me supremely happy. It is the Pagan new year, Samhain (pronounced Sow-in), that's part of it, but it also has a naughty gaiety about it that is truly enjoyable.
I am dressing up as Cleopatra and my sister is going as a glitzy Robin Hood, with sequins and everything.
I've been trying to figure out a costume for at least one of the snakes, but you have no idea how hard it is to fashion one when the model has no arms or legs!

I had to feed Topkapi last night because Friday she refused the mouse I offered her. Since I had attempted to give it to Coral, it obviously had her smell on it. Topkapi was shocked. How dare I give her a secondhand mouse?! As soon as she took one whiff of it she retreated into her hiding spot and nothing would tempt her to eat. Yesterday, however, with a brand new mouse she had absolutely no problem.
These animals are seriously spoiled.

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 28

2010-10-29T14:47:00.004-04:00

Odin ate, even though he has blue eyes. This little animal surprises me more each day, I love how feisty he is! When it comes to snakes, feistiness is definitely a good sign.
Damascus ate wonderfully, like always, as did Talulah.
Coral, on the other hand, is being really picky. She refused once again to take the frozen/thawed mouse. I was hoping that this week she would give in, but no, she felt it was beneath her.
I'm not going to give in that easily either. I'll give her one week without eating, maybe when she feels a little hungry she'll be willing to take the frozen.
Since she is a grown snake, a week is no problem.
We'll see. I do have a hunch I'm going to have to start buying mice for her as well as Barbossa. Argh!