What is that snake in my sunroom?

It was a pretty quiet Memorial Day weekend, except for Saturday night, when I heard a commotion in my sunroom, home of my Spanish Timbrado canaries. Intrigued, I came downstairs and turned on the light and was taken aback to see my orange tiger cat, Neil, proudly keeping watch over a coiled pile of a snake--a pretty long snake at that!

Horrified, I could see that Neil had apparently been playing with the then-unidentified snake, which seemed woozy and unhappy to be the object of the cat's attention.

I hurriedly scooped the snake onto a magazine and brought it out so that it could sidle into the bushes.

I have no idea how the snake got into my home, but I thought it would be interesting to find out what kind of snake it was. I was delighted to find a fabulous online resource on Snakes of Massachusetts, compiled by U. Mass Amherst. It offers a species-by-species guide to the snakes found here in the Commonwealth, and I was able to identify my visitor as an Eastern Ribbon Snake, a harmless snake that frequents ponds and wetlands, like those in my backyard.

Home of the Week in Carlisle!

Here's the view from the front porch of this expanded contemporary farmhouse, overlooking glorious open fields on Curve St., one of Carlisle's most scenic country roads.

On 2 acres, this appealing 4-bedroom home is loaded with extras, including an au pair suite, two laundries, a large 2nd floor studio, and a 3-car garage. It offers over 4300 sq. ft. of very livable space.

Originally listed at $975,000, this light, bright, open-concept home is currently priced at $939,000. It's listed by Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Concord, and I'd be happy to arrange an appointment, or send more information, if it piques your fancy!

Siggy Needs a Home

This is Siggy, a beautiful black and white springer spaniel who needs a new home, now.

I met Siggy as part of my work for the New England English Springer Spaniel Rescue, an all-volunteer group of people throughout the Northeast who love Springers and spend a lot of their spare time trying to place needy ones in new loving homes.

We haven't been able to find a home for Siggy, and he's running out of time.

Siggy just turned 14 years old, but looks more like he's 10. He's healthy and friendly, and does not deserve the fate his owners are contemplating--to be put to sleep because he sometimes barks when they leave him at their summer cottage. Siggy has a lot of love to give, and a lot of life left.

He gets along well with other dogs and cats, and is very attached to his people. My feeling is that if he were in a home with other dogs, he wouldn't be so lonely.

If you'd like more information about Siggy, please contact me. Time is running out.