Good morning, y’all – once again it’s Friday-eve and this afternoon will kick off an event that one doesn’t get to go to just every day! Should you happen to be driving along Interstate 20 this week-end stop off in Sweetwater, TX, for the annual World’s Largest Rattlesnake Roundup.  There will be plenty to do, lots to eat,  souvenirs to be had – and if you’re up to it, you yourself can go hunt these (faster than they look) critters! 

The roundup itself started back in the late 50’s purely out of need – western diamondback rattlesnakes were literally everywhere, and in rather a large radius around the town of Sweetwater.  They were in everyone’s yards and driveways, biting people, dogs and livestock, and in an emergency move to get rid of as many as humanly possible the roundup evolved into an annual event that was both fun and raised some money for the community.  Most of the dens are found on the surrounding ranchland and the event is done the second weekend of every March (before the snakes are well and truly out of winter hibernation. The warmer they are, the faster they move!)

 The year that yours truly worked this event  (when I was but a yout’ ), part of our speech was explaining what was done with the snakes gathered -and nothing is wasted.  All of the snakes are weighed, measured, sexed and milked for their venom (used for anti-venin and research).  The meat is both cooked during the roundup and sold; hides are turned into belts, hatbands, wallets and other souvenirs; and heads, fangs and the rattles become paperweights and other cool things.  Innards are sold to fertilizer companies (or were, back then!) It’s really an interesting event to attend should you find yourself in West Texas in March.  So while I go put on another pot of coffee, check out the website.  http://www.rattlesnakeroundup.net/

What’s happening in your world this morning?  Oh, and in case you should ever need to know this, a rattlesnake (even just the severed head) can bite for about 2 hours after it is dead.  Nerves, ya know.  Handle gently!  And they hunt at night.  Should you need to know.