I Spoke too Soon

So, remember last time when I was bragging about my spotless lack of snake spotting?  Yeah.  That's all gone now.  Friday, Matt and I were walking along, TOTALLY  minding our own business and we heard a sudden rustling in the leaves near the path. Startled, Matt hastily moved us forward and we glanced back to see what it was.  Much to my chagrin we saw a snake hastily slithering up a tree about 8-10 feet off the path.  We could see it clearly but as we are not herpetologists we couldn't positively identify it.  It was solid dark brown it looked to us with a light underside.  I wanted to take a picture, but instead we prudently moved on.  I'm still wishing I had a picture though, because now we can't show people and make an identification for sure. We had an idea what we thought it might be, but we are told by many there are no snakes of the variety we suspected around here.  We have also heard that someone did recently spot a snake of that kind, so who knows. So, Mr. E, still no pythons or anacondas, but we did see a mystery snake. I hope I don't see another one.

In other news, Matt found his name on a bottle of South African Coca-Cola:

I challenge you all to find a Coca Cola can with Lazuli on it.

Also, last week the final slab was poured on Res10, so when we came back from morning worship Monday we saw this out of our window:

Another concrete truck at the ready.

It rained almost all day, but the work got done.  I got to help with a couple of the tests we do for the concrete strength.  It was a fun and muddy work day.  Also cold.  I know you are all back home, enjoying, or enduring record snow and low temperatures.  However, it did get quite cold here this week.  For where we are.

Thursday we had another first.  Matt drove.  On the wrong side of the car, and on the wrong side of the road.

The car he drove?

Davy's BMW

Matt's first time to drive a BMW.  It was a smooth ride too, despite a few novice mistakes.  Such as, Matt tried to get in on the wrong side.  He claims he was "checking it out" for me.  Ha!  Then, we couldn't find reverse.  (Yes, WE.  I was helping.)   However, he prevailed and crept out onto the road.  All seemed well, except, my seat suddenly plummeted backwards as we accelerated.  Much to the surprise, and discomfort of the sister sitting directly behind me.  Thankfully, it wasn't a long distance, and Matt handled the car like a professional.  Not a professional race car driver folks.  Remember, I was in the car, so it was more like professional Grandpa.  Nice and sloooow. The car was probably disappointed.  

We had borrowed the car so that I and the other sister could go learn to make Tiramisu from our Italian sister, Sylvia.  (I would just like to point out that this is a prime example of the kind of great guy Matt is, he doesn't even like coffee so Tiramisu isn't high on his list of desserts he wants me to get lessons in.  But he still arranged to get a car so he could drive us there.)  Accompanied by some opera music, and despite an incident with the Mascarpone cheese, the dessert was a success,  I would like to point out that my contribution was taking pictures and taking notes.

Sylvia

Amazing!

A Post for Mr. E

The other weekend we visited on the phone with our buddies around the corner where we lived.  I was questioned by Mr. E as to if we had spotted any pythons.  When I said no, he asked "any anacondas?"  Again I had to give a negative reply. Disappointed he firmly instructed me "I think you need to go hiking in Africa and see some anacondas and pythons!"  I promised that if I did spot any of those snakes I would take a picture for him.  I won't pretend that I'm not just fine with the fact that in our area pythons and anacondas are not seen.  And the snakes that do live around here, I really am not interested in seeing.  My record of no snake spotting while on assignment is, well, spotless. (Except at zoos. I've seen pythons and anacondas at zoos. And other varieties.) Which is fine, because the snakes where we go have nasty reputations.  However, just a few days after our conversation, a little snake was spotted by the construction offices by Matt.  He didn't get a picture, but a few days after that, the cheeky little guy was seen hanging around near the conference room.  A sister who loves animals recognized it as a Night Adder. Remembering our promise to take a picture if we saw a snake Matt was able to get this documentation for Mr. E.

After his photo shoot, the sister relocated him to a safe place.

So there you go bud, this post was just for you.  We miss you and your brother, and your mom and dad.  Hope to talk to you again soon and see what you thought of the snake.  I know it's no anaconda or python but it might be the only picture of a snake we get here.  ( I really hope it is.)