Sounds like a book title, doesn’t it? Unfortunately, it’s the truth.

When I went down to my bedroom last night and turned back the covers, there was a scorpion on my side of the bed. No, I didn’t scream. I thought it was dead–if I knew it was alive, I’d have killed it right then and there.

I decided to tell my husband and ask him if he’d put it in my bed. (I knew he hadn’t but was trying to be funny.) By the time I got him and came back to the bedroom, no scorpion. The daggone thing was alive!

We tore the bed apart, shook everything out, no scorpion. My first thought was to sleep somewhere else, but decided my bed was far too comfortable, if the scorpion was still there, he’d just have to scoot over.

Slept the night through with nary a problem.

Before you all freak out let me tell you I live in the foothills of the Sierra in a very old house. I’ve had encounters with scorpions before and usually dispatch them with ease–but I thought this one was dead or I would have taken care of it.

We have lots of spiders too, some really big and ugly ones, but they don’t bother me either.

Lizards love to sneak inside when it gets really hot. Haven’t seen any this year yet. They are hard to catch and herd back outside–usually leave it up to the younger generation.

Never had a snake inside, though there are plenty around outside during the summer, including rattlesnakes. I’m not afraid of them either, but do have a healthy respect for them. I leave it up to others to take care of those critters.

We had a rat infestation when our bathroom and bedroom were being remodeled because the workers left all the doors open. We had to keep the cats shut off in the other part of the house, not wanting them to leave, so they were no help. Hubby and a grandson managed to dispose of the unwanted creatures except for one that managed to make it into cat territory and that was the end of him.

Oh yes, and there are skunks. I’ve never had an encounter, but my poor daughter-in-law did one night when she was leaving our house.

Living in the foothills has its downside, but there is plenty to make up for it. The scenery is gorgeous especially this time of year when everything is still green and the snow is plentiful on the mountains. We live on a hill above the Tule River and when I was younger I joined the kids in the swimming hole, now I just watch and listen to the water rushing over the rocks on its way down to the lake. At night, the stars are gorgeous.

This is the most popular time of year around here too, last week was the Jackass Mail Run, this weekend is Rodeo time. We’re a stone’s throw from the rodeo grounds so can hear everything that’s going on. I’ve been many times, but I’m skipping it this year. From the front yard, I can watch the parachutists jumping out of airplanes to land in the arena of the rodeo grounds–that’s enough.

During the month of August, there’ll be a barbecue and dance every Saturday night at the rodeo grounds to raise money for next year’s rodeo.

All summer long, there’ll be free concerts in the park too.

I think I can manage to share my space with all the critters who were here before me.

Marilyn