Truth is stranger than fiction

Before I delve into the story in the local paper today I have to admit I have an issue with snakes. I really can't stand them. I am fine seeing them in the zoo. I enjoy touching them when they are handled by a professional. But, when I stumble upon them in nature, well, all rational thought is lost. I am petrified of snakes.

So I woke up this morning, got the kids off to school, and found this.

Apparently, someone's pet python got loose and crawled up into the undercarriage of this woman's mini-van. Can you imagine?! She was driving down the road, and another driver caught her attention at a red light to let her know that there was a snake on her car. This all happened just up the street from our house. Of course.

And then there was another story a few weeks ago. A man was out riding his four-wheeler and believes he came across a mature cobra. A cobra! What the heck is going on out here? Surely, this is all an elaborate game that the locals play at the expense of the transplants. Right?

Here is a picture of the infamous snake that was posted in the Raleigh News & Observer. It's not crazy-big, but it is big enough to scare the pants off of me...