I am tentatively targeting next summer for a trip home. I need to reconnect with family and friends.

Last Wednesday I went to a meeting at the school library. There were some kids "working" at a table in the back. One called us that there was a snake in the flower pot. We went to look and, sure enough, there was. It was a brown tree snake, about a foot and a half long. I picked up the flower pot to take it outside. It started to slither over the side. I knew if he got to the floor we would lose him so I grabbed him... around the middle... and got bit on the thumb.

At this point the question comes up about poison. There are some people on Guam who believe the snakes are poisonous. I have never been one of them. I heard early on that they are not. Now I was going to find out. The little bastard drew blood.

As I was carrying him outside he latched on to my pants (crotch level). I let him chew the fabric. Everything inside is safely tucked away from harm. I took him outside and beat him to death on the concrete.

For those of you who feel bad about that let me remind you there is an ecological disaster going on here in Guam. The snakes are an invasive species and have decimated the bird population. Next time you see birds flying overhead, enjoy the diversity and sight because we do not have that here. There are some sparrows and the ubiquitous pigeon, some frankolins, and that is about it.

Oh, and no poison. Not even any infection.