You guys demonstrate my theory that cottonmouths are "passive-aggressive." Dangerous in that they don't move out of the path, often, and people who are not alert can step on them. Tales of them chasing people are usually highly exaggerated. This isn't to say it can't happen. Just that it's not a common behavior. My best cottonmouth story involved canoeing by myself on Rock Springs Run. I was in an area we call the Flats. Very shallow water, with a lot of grassy vegetation. Makes for slow canoeing as you try to glide through without digging up the bottom. I spotted a cottonmouth in the water, about 2 1/2 feet long, and close to the shore. It had a dead fish in its mouth. I don't think it killed the fish, but I can't be sure of that. But the fish looked REAL dead. It was a panfish of some type (bluegill, shellcracker, one of those) and quite wide, and this snake was trying its best to figure out how to swallow it. The snake worked its mouth slowly around the body of the fish, which was way, WAY too wide for it to swallow, and even tried to force it down sideways. The fish was probably ten inches long and no way was that snake going to get it down sideways. I let the canoe drift over fairly close, as I was enjoying the show. The snake finally began working its way towards the head of the fish, where it would have had the best chance to get it down, but suddenly noticed me or my canoe slowly nearing. If snakes could change expression, this one's eyes would have bugged out and his mouth would have dropped open. If they could talk, he would have been yelling "Holy Sheepdip! Where'd THAT come from??" He did a backflip away from the fish and took off for the weeds like a streak! It was so funny looking, I almost fell out of my canoe laughing at him. I always wondered if he came back later to finish working on the fish. But I didn't wonder about who was more scared by our encounter. He definitely was! Still...I am very careful on the river or in places where cottonmouths might lurk. They normally don't care if you approach them. I admire them, but I don't want to step on one or come face to face with one at any closer range than what I just described. I'm not NEARLY as brave as Wayne! Marcia

Hate to sound dense, but what do you mean, under a retaining wall?

polly - wow 1,600 with major damage and 10 condemned. The sad part is that those whose homes are condemned will most likely not see a reimbursement for the total value of their homes. No, I am sure that FEMA was not expecting so many to turn out. FEMA made automated telephone calls to all our our telephone numbers, home and cells, about where to call for the help available, as the entire state has been declared a disaster. Did they believe people wouldn't turn out, especially those who don't carry flood insurance coverage? On another note, apparently FEMA claims it is low on $$. That tidbit makes me crazy as every year for over 20 years, we have paid out of pocket to carry unrequired flood insurance. It wasn't required by my mortgage lender. But living close to a creek that flows into the Delaware, we figured it would be better to be safe rather than sorry. So, FEMA has collected a tidy sum from us over these many years, and yet we've never made a claim before now. We have an acquaintance, "Joe", who also lives on the same water source, about a mile as the crow flies, from where we live. His home continually floods from noreasters, remnants of hurricanes, and locally heavy rains. The township will not allow him to raise his home. We have been assigned to work with the same adjusting company (you don't get to choose who you work with). I hope our situation goes better than I am anticipating. To keep my sanity, I have set my expectations low, if I am pleasantly surprised, at least I will not be disappointed. In speaking with "Joe" the other day, DH remarked that his wish is that his home would either completely float away or burn down. Can you imagine? At least that way he would not have to be continally inconvenienced, and deal with making flood claims only to wait to see whether FEMA will cover the cost of repair his home each time. It is exhausting both mentally and physically when your home is flooded. You are usually displaced for some period of time, only to return to a home that needs major repair. Fortunately, our damage was confined to our crawlspace, but everything that runs the home is located in that space. We are still in chaos as prepping for Irene, we moved everything we could to our second floor. Now, everything needs to be put back, including all business records that we relocated to a safe location as a precaution in anticipation of Irene. No loss of life is one of the most important things. Things/possessions can be replaced.

Thank you so much Calamity and Texasfern! I'm slowly getting there. It seems that the first time I do something I screw it up somehow, then I slowly get better. Like just now I tried to mosaic an already made pation stone, so I used contact paper for my tiles then when that was ready, I put thinset on my patio stone, oh boy did that ever turn out scary and ugly!!! I guess I put too much thinset (too thick), and shoud have had an extra pair of hands to help me put my contact paper on...oh well, live and learn I guess!!!